Double World Cup Premier in Saalfelden Leogang – Secure tickets now!

Thanks to stringent prevention concepts and measures, a limited number of spectators can follow the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup live. Downhill racers will have the opportunity to collect points for the overall World Cup for the first time in 2021 at the event, while the cross-country stars have already been able to test their form at two World Cup races and can now compete again, shortly before the Olympic Games.

For the tenth time, the Downhill World Cup will take place in the province of Salzburg this year. Due to the cancellation of the World Cup event in Fort William and the relocation of the race in Maribor, this year the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang is the first World Cup race of the season for the downhill racers. After a long off-season it remains exciting to discover who will fight for podium places.

Greg Minnaar: ”It’s always good coming back to Leogang, it’s an amazing venue and even better now we hear we’re having spectators at the World Cup; racing isn't the same without them. I’m just hoping the weather is slightly better this year than last October (Greg laughs).”

For Vali Höll, the race in Leogang is a home event, so to speak, which doesn't really mean it's any easier for the young downhill pro. During her training run for the World Championships last October, Vali crashed badly and suffered a bone splinter in her left ankle as well as several torn ligaments. The pressure to deliver a satisfying ranking in front of family and friends is big and it’s not easy to deal with it.

Vali Höll: ”I did pretty well last year and that’s why everyone has high expectations of me, as I do myself. My foot is already reasonably good again, but of course not in the same condition as before the injury. It often hurts after just two hours on the bike, but that just takes time.”

In addition to the downhill races, the cross-country decisions will also take place this year as part of the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. The organizers are very happy to welcome the cross-country stars to the races in Short Track, as well as in the Olympic distance. For the cross-country athletes, the race in Saalfelden Leogang is the penultimate stop before the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Young Frenchman, Jordan Sarrou, should definitely be highlighted for the men's race. Last year in Pinzgau, he won the much longed-for rainbow jersey and has already proven his form this season with a third place at the World Cup in Nové Mesto. 

In the women's field, alongside Loana Lecomte and world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, both from France, young Austrian Laura Stigger is one of the favorites. She has shown in the first two World Cup races that she can compete for top honors.
Laura Stigger: “I'm really looking forward to competing in Leogang. Not least because I was unable to take part in last year's World Championships due to illness. The fact that spectators are finally allowed to be there again is a huge relief for everyone, because the crowd is one of the most important factors for the appropriate race atmosphere.”

Thanks to extensive prevention concepts, there will be spectators at the World Cup race in Pinzgau this year. Spectator seats are limited and tickets for grandstand seats are available until 09 June here: www.mtb-weltcup.at

Kornel Grundner, Managing Director of Leoganger Bergbahnen: "We are very happy that, thanks to well-developed hygiene concepts and appropriate measures, we are so far the first organizer of this year's World Cup stages where spectators can cheer on site. This will certainly make for a great atmosphere." 

Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik: "The Out of Bounds Festival and the staging of the World Cup races in downhill and cross-country, is definitely one of our highlights in 2021 and we are even more pleased that a limited number of spectators and viewers can follow the races live."

For all those who cannot be present live at the double World Cup, there is the possibility to follow the final races on RedBull TV and on ORF.