The successful second edition of the BIKE Festival heralded the start of the autumn season for mountain bikers in Saalfelden Leogang. Last weekend, around 8,000 visitors were not only able to test the latest models for the coming season at the large exhibition centre, but there were also five exciting bike competitions in the wide range of mountain biking disciplines.
Tähti and Böttger win Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon
The Austrian Andrea Böttger and the Finn Toni Tähti secured the long-distance titles at the classic race of the BIKE Festival, the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon on Saturday. Tähti dominated the 78-kilometre distance ahead of the German Lysander Kiesel and the young Austrian Philip Handl. The 22-year-old once again underlined his strong season with third place and proved that he is in good form for the upcoming Marathon World Championships in Switzerland.
Pekoll celebrates enduro victory
The participants in the SCOTT Enduro Series had to tackle five stages over a total of twelve kilometres and 1800 metres in altitude at the second classic competition as part of the festival. In the Elite Men category, a German trio came out on top, led by Oliver Kühn. In the Open Men category, Markus Pekoll, former Austrian downhill figurehead, utilised his home advantage and came out on top in his class. In the Open Women's category, the German enduro rider Helen Weber was able to celebrate. Clemens Bachmann (DE) led the Pro Masters classification. Austrian Jonas Göweil completed the five stages fastest in the Pro Junior Male category.
SCOTT Junior Trophy, Ghost Recon Ride and the big qualifying for the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship rounded off the bike spectacle
In addition to the festival classics - the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon on Saturday and the SCOTT Enduro Series on Sunday - the new Velosolutions pump track was also a hot favourite this year. In qualifying for the Red Bull Pump Track World Championships, the four best men and women secured a ticket for the grand final in Bern.
Finally, 70 boys and girls stepped on the gas on Sunday at the Scott Junior Trophy, which also took place on the new pump track this year.
Satisfied summary from the organisers
The BIKE Festival was the crowning glory of a summer of events that began back in June with the Out of Bounds Festival, explains Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik: ‘The weather was fantastic, the trails were in perfect condition and the Expo was a hive of activity over the three days of the event. Particularly popular: the latest 2020 models, which visitors were able to test out on one of the many trails in the bike park. Even before the expo opened on the last day of the festival, visitors were queuing to get their hands on one of the coveted test bikes. Numerous well-known brands from the industry used the weekend as a stage for their new products. An all-round successful festival,’ says Pointner.
