Quadruple World Championships in Saalfelden Leogang with a major signalling effect

In addition to the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill and Cross Country World Championships, the Red Bull UCI Pump Track World Championships and the medal decisions in the e-mountain bike discipline will also take place for the first time.

Eight years after the biking region's first appearance on the world championship stage, the international bike scene will once again be competing for world championship honours in Saalfelden Leogang in October 2020. From 7 to 11 October, five days of pure action await with a whopping 15 golden decisions - the World Championship organiser Saalfelden Leogang is thus giving the hard-hit mountain bike calendar planning security. ‘We have increasingly seen it as our responsibility to make the World Championships possible for the riders, teams and sponsors, but also for the fans,’ explains Kornel Grundner, World Championships organiser and Managing Director of Leoganger Bergbahnen.  

 
An organisational challenge, as the originally planned double event became a quadruple World Championships after the Leogang organisers agreed to take over the cancelled Cross Country and E-MTB competitions from Albstadt (GER): ‘The UCI approached us and asked whether we saw a way to integrate the Cross Country and E-MTB competitions from the cancelled Albstadt World Championships into our Downhill and Pump Track World Championships. After we had checked everything internally, it was clear to us that we could manage a quadruple World Championships and wanted to take on the challenge,’ says Marco Pointner, World Championships organiser and Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik.

Safety has top priority

Around ten weeks before the start of the UCI 2020 Mountain Bike and Pump Track World Championships, the downhill, cross country, e-mountain bike and pump track championships are continuing to take shape. Despite the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting difficulties in planning, the organisers are trying to make the championships accessible to spectators: ‘We are currently working closely with the authorities and are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to hold the event with a limited number of visitors,’ says Marco Pointner. ‘Of course we want spectators on the course, that's simply part of it and is what makes Leogang and the sport of mountain biking so special. However, our top priority is to be able to organise the World Championships and not endanger anyone,’ adds Kornel Grundner and explains: ’The biggest challenge is to be prepared for all eventualities. We are currently working on four different ‘corona-compatible’ concepts. Firstly for all athletes and teams, then for the entire media sector from journalists to the TV team, for all our own employees and helpers as well as for spectators along the route and in designated corridors.’

Austria's medal hopes eagerly await the World Championships

Fans along the course would also like to see the two Austrian medal hopes Valentina Höll and Laura Stigger. Vali Höll is making her World Championship debut in the elite class on her home track. The Saalbach native knows the ‘Speedster’ downhill world championship track like the back of her hand. At the 2019 World Cup, she rode to a winning time in the junior class, which would have been enough for third place in the elite class. Good omens: ‘For us downhillers, the World Championships will be the first big race of the year. So I'm all the happier that it can take place at all and then at my home. I'm super happy that everyone is so positive and motivated, which gives me an extra boost.’
This is Laura Stigger's second home World Championships after she celebrated a sensational gold medal in the junior competition at the 2018 Road World Championships in Innsbruck: ‘As an athlete, you can only wish for a home World Championships. It's an absolute dream come true for me after we had to fear that nothing could take place this year.  Of course, my motivation has increased accordingly. I'm particularly looking forward to the technically difficult new XCO course. It should suit me.’

Experienced organisers - positive signal

The bike destination has been a successful venue for the Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup for a decade. The ‘quadruple World Championships’ at the beginning of October will once again give Saalfelden Leogang the chance to consolidate its status as Austria's top spot. ‘Of course, this is a great thing for us, for the Saalfelden Leogang region and for the Epic Bikepark Leogang. We have invested a lot over many years, have developed as a reliable partner of the UCI and can once again emphasise our status as a bike destination,’ says Pointner. 

Voices on the World Cup:

Governor Dr Wilfried Haslauer:
‘It is an important sign that, with all the caution and professionalism and with all the precautions that are necessary, we are nevertheless sending a clear signal: We can organise major sporting events even in these difficult times and are ready for the future. That is our ambition and - despite our awareness of our responsibility - it also gives us courage and joy.’
 
Harald Mayer, President of the Austrian Cycling Federation:
‘The World Championships in Saalfelden Leogang are an important signal for the re-start of cycling, not only in Austria but also on a global level.’
 
Leo Bauernberger, CEO SalzburgerLand Tourismus GmbH: 
‘Since the lockdown, Austria has helped to make major international events socially acceptable again. The strict measures allow us to present ourselves on the market as a safe holiday destination. This is a good basis for a major international event such as the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Saalfelden Leogang.’

Regional Sports Councillor Stefan Schnöll:
‘When the idea of turning the double World Championships into a quadruple World Championships came to us, we were convinced by the safety and event concept. I see the World Championships as an important sign of life for the sports scene in general.’

Picture description: 
from left: Leo Bauernberger, Marco Pointner, Laura Stigger, Stefan Schnöll, Vali Höll, Wilfried Haslauer, Kornel Grundner, Harald Mayer