Saalfelden Leogang hosts with Triple World Cup mountain bike Novum

From 15 to 18 June, the international cycling community will once again be looking forward to Saalfelden Leogang – and to a spectacular premiere as part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series: For the first time in these days a “super-event” will be held. In addition to the World Cup decisions in downhill and cross country, the world's best enduro athletes will also receive the crown. The organisers recently gave an insight into the new format at a press conference.

When a world champion and overall World Cup winner, a European champion and a junior world champion appear at a press conference as concentrated domestic mountain bike competence in the triple pack, it means that it is not long before the first highlight of the season, the World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang. “The fact that we are able to welcome Vali Héll, Mona Mitterwallner and Andi Kolb today shows the importance of the World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang,” said organizers Marco Pointner and Kornel Grundner.

This year, the World Cup returns to Pinzgau as a “super-event” by the international cycling federation and under the name “UCI Mountain Bike World Series”. The novelty? For the first time, in addition to the downhill and cross country athletes, the Enduro and E-Enduro riders will take to the tracks and compete for valuable points.

The newcomers to the boat, the Enduro and E-Enduro riders, are on the turn on Thursday, June 15. For them, it involves a total of six stages through Austria’s largest bike region Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn: “After two World Championships and eleven years of World Cup, it was the next step to bring the Enduro World Cup to the region. Enduro fits the bike region like a fist to the eye”, explains organizer Kornel Grundner: “But we knew we wanted to tackle this new dimension together in our network as Austria’s largest bike region. That’s why we are glad that Saalbach Hinterglemm did not hesitate for a moment”, says Grundner. Saalbach Hinterglemm will host three of the six stages. The start and finish of the event are at the Epic Bikepark Leogang: “Together we are proud to be able to host this ‘super event’ in the region,” says Manuel Hirner, Managing Director of the Saalbach Hinterglemm mountain railways.

Five competitions – three disciplines – one spectacular bike event

“The restructuring within the International Cycling Federation brings great opportunities. The World Series is supposed to take mountain biking to the next level. We expect 1,200 athletes and their entourage. This is a dimension that is often underestimated in Austria,” says organiser Marco Pointner. 

The riders at the UCI Mountainbike World Cup are whipped up every year by more than 21,500 spectators at the tracks, which make the event with incredible atmosphere against an impressive natural backdrop the highlight event of the mountainbike calendar. A fact that also makes the local mountain bike stars look at the home World Cup with some nervousness, especially local matador Valentina Héll, who has so far struggled with her Leogang performances: “For me, it’s the fourth start. I’ll try to approach the World Cup a little differently this year, to keep my nerves in check. You learn and mature.” Mona Mitterwallner also has an open account with Leogang: “Last year I was unfortunately shot down at the start. I was then able to fight my way to the front to some extent, but it was of course very annoying. This year I want to approach things with a little more calmness, because nervousness only inhibits me. I have much more experience and I am more confident.” Andi Kolb looks at his performance in Leogang in a completely different way last year: “What happened in Leogang, I will never forget. Fifth place was a start to an unforgettable rest of the season. Leogang is special for us local athletes. The credo remains: not to be nervous and have fun.”

Saalfelden Leogang 2028 world champion again

And a major event is already casting its shadow: from 30 August to 3 September 2028, Saalfelden Leogang will host a World Championship for the third time after 2012 and 2020: “I’m really looking forward to the World Cup 2028, you never know what happens in sport, but then I’d be 26 and actually still at a good age”, knows local matador Vali Héll.

Epic Bikepark Leogang starts the season

Starting on May 12, the bikers at Epic Bikepark Leogang will start a long bike season. In addition to the great offer in the bike park, the infrastructure in Saalfelden Leogang is continuously being developed. At the end of July 2023, there will be a new trail, the “AlteSchmiede Trail”, which should score with advanced families. Another new highlight in Austria’s largest bike region is the online Bikebonus, which promises a dynamic pricing system and the occasional bargain if you book accordingly early.