Around 300 riders from 26 nations will once again transform the Leogang Bike Park into the epicentre of the international mountain bike downhill scene from 9 to 12 June. The sport, which chooses the world's best in nine countries and on five continents, is booming. 139 TV channels in 19 countries broadcast the World Cup races live, reaching around 42 million TV viewers. Austria's only stop on the World Cup circuit has long since established itself as a permanent fixture: Contracts have been signed up to and including 2018, and last year Leogang was even honoured as the number one digital stop - more than one million viewers watched Aaron Gwin's spectacular run as he raced to a sensational victory without a chain. The American already caused a sensation two years ago with his ride on a flat tyre. Markus Pekoll, Austria's strongest downhiller in the World Cup, naturally wants to counter the American's dominance in Leogang: "Leogang is my second home and the World Cup is the absolute highlight of the season for me. Of course, I'm hoping to improve on my previous performances," explains the 37th and 34th-placed racer at the World Cups in Cairns and Lourdes. Before the squad heads to Leogang, however, there is a stop in Fort William in the UK on 4 and 5 June.
26TRIX also part of the Out of Bounds Festival
However, it is not only the Downhill World Cup that is a fixture at the Out of Bounds Festival, but also the 26TRIX dirt jump contest, which in its eleventh edition has established itself as one of the most important contests on the international scene and attracts the stars of the scene to Leogang as an FMB World Tour Gold Event.
Supporting programme: from the Red Bull Skydive Team to a trial show
The supporting programme of the Out of Bounds Festival is also impressive. From the annual sold-out Ö3 disco to a pump track contest, the Kids Pumptrack Challenge, the Red Bull Sky Dive Team, a trial show with Tom Öhler and the Bunny Hop Contest, there is plenty of action on offer. Also unique in the Downhill World Cup: the stars of the scene will be on hand for their fans - in the large team and expo area with around 80 UCI teams and exhibitors, they will also be on hand for many a selfie with the fans.
