Domestic athletes with podiums in their sights

The Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountainbike World Cup is on the calendar at the Epic Bikepark Leogang. In the first double World Cup of the season in the disciplines Cross Country and Downhill, fans are also celebrating a comeback along the track.

The concentrated Austrian mountain bike power, around Vali Héll, Mona Mitterwallner and Laura Stigger, proudly presented “their” home World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang during a press conference at the Panzerhalle in Salzburg today. The first double World Cup of the season takes place from 10 to 12 June in the Olympic Cross Country (XCO) and Short Track (XCC) as well as in the Downhill. More than 800 athletes from 44 nations will compete for valuable World Cup points on the challenging routes at the Epic Bikepark Leogang.

Among them also the local matador from Saalbach Hinterglemm, downhill World Cup overall winner Vali Héll and the two Tyrolean cross country athletes Mona Mitterwallner and Laura Stigger, who spoke at the press conference about the upcoming home World Cup. “Leogang is a special race and tests me over and over again, but I know and love my home track and – as they say – all good things are three,” explains Vali Héll, who, after suffering an injury at the 2020 World Championships last year due to a fall at the finish line, still had the confidence to win in the elite class, but still managed to take the excellent second place. Laura Stigger returns to Leogang with fond memories. In the Cross Country Olympic last year, she took home the first World Cup podium: “When I think about it today, it’s still goosebumps. It was a very special moment – in front of family and friends. This year, I’m especially looking forward to the spectators who will be cheering us on along the track as well. The past World Cups have shown how important the fans are for our sport,” says Stigger. After Mona Mitterwallner, the third in the group of successful Austrian mountain bike ladies, dominated the previous World Cups in Leogang and of course also the World Championships 2020 in the junior and U23s, this year she returns to her home World Cup for the first time as an elite rider. With high expectations: “I love to ‘climb’, so the sticks, with their steep ascents, are totally suitable for me. Of course, the pressure is huge, especially the one I put on myself. I want to go out there and enjoy it, that's what I set out to do. First and foremost, it's about showing the audience what we're up to," says Mitterwallner.

Fans create an exceptional atmosphere on the track

For the first time this year, spectators will be allowed along the route. “We expect between 7,000 and 10,000 spectators per day. The previous World Cups have been well presented and this shows how much the sport is booming. The scene is once again burning to be part of it live on site. To be part of it right at the track is a very special feeling,” says Kornel Grundner, Managing Director of the Leoganger Bergbahnen and World Cup organiser. In addition to the spectator areas at the finish, there will also be a moderated hotspot along the downhill route. The Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik and World Cup organizer Marco Pointner explains: “This is our third year as a double World Cup or World Cup and the third year with completely different conditions – this year again with spectators on the track for the first time, the paddocks of the teams will be open again. You can really get close to the stars of the scene and it’s the perfect start to the summer season for us,” says Pointner. 

Also beside the track the full load Bikesport

In addition to exciting World Cup decisions, numerous side events and a large exhibition area ensure a considerable plus when it comes to cycling. Among other things, a Red Bull air show, a BMX show with Senad Grosic or a big signing session with the top athletes from FOX Racing await.
150 volunteers are on duty at the World Cup weekend and it is they who contributed with their efforts that athletes, coaches, officials, UCI and media representatives awarded the downhill World Cup the best of the season last year: “Being the best World Cup is what we have been working towards for over ten years,” explains Kornel Grundner: “It is a huge award for us and our team.”

Live broadcast to 93 countries

The Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountainbike World Cup from 10 to 12 June is not the only venue for pure bike racing. The decisions in the cross country and downhill are broadcast live by the Red Bull Media House and broadcast on 26 TV channels in 93 countries: “The dimensions of the World Cup are now clear from the number of accredited people: more than 2000 people were there last year,” says Pointner.

The World Cup is the event spearhead of a region that, as “Austria’s largest bike region” with the towns of Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn, is completely dedicated to the topic of bike. It is also an international flagship for SalzburgerLand, as every fifth guest in SalzburgerLand is now a mountain biker. Since the beginning of the season, Epic Bikepark Leogang and the surrounding trails have focused on sustainability and on new, hand-made, sustainable trails. This is also appreciated by Sportland Councillor Stefan Schnoll: “Saalfelden Leogang is a best practice example when it comes to mountain biking.”