Whether the 2015 and 2016 winners Gwin and Atherton manage the triple, or a local hero has a say this year - either way, this weekend will offer a concentrated load of action and adrenaline.
For the seventh time, the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup will be sending the best of the best to Saalfelden Leogang on June 10 and 11. After Lourdes (FRA) and Fort William (GBR), the Austrian bike mecca will be the third of seven World Cup stops and has a particularly tough nut to crack. 2.3 kilometers of the most challenging downhill terrain, rough root carpets, tight hairpin bends and steep sections in the fall line demand everything from the riders on the "Speedster" World Cup course. Not only perfect riding technique, strength and experience are required here, but also a good deal of overcoming.
Gwin and Atherton aim for the triple
Skills that last year's overall World Cup winners Aaron Gwin (USA) and Rachel Atherton (GBR) undoubtedly possess and want to show off again this year on the Asitz. After both finishing on the top step of the podium in 2015 and 2016, the American and the Brit are hot for the triple this year. For Gwin in particular, a very special relationship with the 'Speedster' will enter the next round in 2017. In 2014, he rode half of the race without a wheel, just on the rim. A year later, he took victory on the Asitz without a chain. This year, it should be enough for the very front without any incidents. However, the competition has a different plan. Local hero Markus Pekoll, for example, who made a solid start to the season in 12th place at the first World Cup stop in Lourdes, wants to have his say on home soil.
16,000 spectators push the riders forward
But it's not just those who end up on top who can look forward to the ultimate bike festival in Saalfelden Leogang. Once again this year, around 16,000 spectators will line the route and loudly support the riders. Additional grandstands along the "Speedster" will bring the fans even closer to the action and are a further component of the overall package that makes the Saalfelden Leogang bike region the ideal venue for this action-packed sport.
More bike is not possible: Out of Bounds Festival 2017
The World Cup is framed by the Out of Bounds Festival, which has another spectacular sporting highlight to offer from June 8 to 11 with the 26TRIX Dirt Jump Contest, a spectacular FMB Gold Event. In addition, the daring stunts of trial star Tom Öhler, the flying maneuvers of the Flying Bulls, as well as a Pump Track Dual Race, a Bunny Hop Contest, the large Expo Area, the Kids Pump Track Challenge and the big Ö3 Disco with DJ Topic round off the program.
For all those who can't make it to Leogang, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup will be available LIVE and as video-on-demand free of charge at http://www.redbull.tv/uci on the Red Bull TV BIKE Channel http://www.redbull.tv/bike.
