For the sixth time, Saalfelden Leogang played host to the renowned BIKE Festival this year, and more than 7,500 visitors didn’t miss the action at the Epic Bikepark Leogang – part of Austria’s largest biking region, Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. The latest trends from the biking scene attracted not only ambitious athletes to the Pinzgau region but also top pro riders like Marlena Neißl, David Trummer, Elias Schwärzler, and many more. In over 20 workshops, they inspired a passion for biking and shared tips and tricks with more than 250 enthusiastic participants.
Young talent takes the stage: Junior riders impress with big skills
But it wasn’t just the experienced riders who had their moment – around 150 girls and boys gained their first racing experience at the fully booked VPACE Kids Cup, proving that they already have what it takes to be real pros on two wheels. Sunday brought even more excitement with the Scott Junior Trophy Pumptrack, where 40 up-and-coming riders battled it out on the World Champs Pumptrack. Spectacular jumps and action-packed lines made for a thrilling contest atmosphere.
Fresh input: Bikes, parts, and new lines
In addition to workshops and community rides, many visitors took the chance to check out the latest bikes and parts. Numerous top brands showcased their gear and made it available for testing. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for that in Saalfelden Leogang – now even more so with four new lines added this season. "Back to the Roots," "Gateway," "Hangover," and the "T-Line" offer fresh highlights for experienced riders.
"The BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang has become a key part of our autumn offering," says Marco Pointner, CEO of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik. "We’re especially pleased that the weather cooperated so well this year, and that our diverse program was able to inspire sports enthusiasts of all ages – from the Expo and youth competitions to high-profile ride-outs. This festival shows just how rich and accessible the cycling experience is here in Austria’s largest bike region, Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn."
The BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang once again proved that the biking community feels completely at home here. It marked the perfect kickoff to a long biking autumn, with the Epic Bikepark Leogang remaining open until November 9. For hikers, the Leogang mountain lifts will stay open continuously right up to the start of the ski season. And the cycling events are far from over: coming up next Sunday is RUSH300, a brand-new highlight for all road cycling fans.
