“Super Event” in Austria’s Largest Bike Region Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

Three formats, four days – one highlight for mountain biking: Austria’s largest bike region, Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, will host an event of superlatives from June 5 to 8, 2025. After a one-year break, the cross-country races return and are once again part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at the Epic Bikepark Leogang. This makes Saalfelden Leogang the only venue where all three UCI World Cup disciplines – Downhill (DHI), Enduro (EDR), and Cross-Country (XCO/XCC) – take place on one weekend.

The Epic Bikepark Leogang, a permanent fixture in the World Cup calendar since 2010, will once again serve as a stage for top-level international racing. Following the triple event in 2023, another showcase featuring the sport’s three most spectator-friendly formats will mark a major highlight in the mountain biking world. More than 1,000 athletes from over 30 nations are expected in SalzburgerLand: “We are one of only two World Cup venues to host all three formats – and the only one to do so in a single weekend,” says Marco Pointner, CEO of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik and World Cup organizer, during a press conference.

 

Cross-Country Races Make a Comeback
After a one-year hiatus, the Cross-Country (XCO) and Short Track (XCC) races are making a highly anticipated return. It’s a home World Cup with great memories for Austria’s top stars Laura Stigger and Mona Mitterwallner: Stigger claimed three consecutive podium finishes in Leogang, and together with Mitterwallner, achieved the first-ever double podium for Austria in a Cross-Country World Cup race in Leogang 2023.
Kornel Grundner, World Cup organizer and CEO of Leoganger Bergbahnen GmbH & the EPIC Bikepark Leogang, highlights the importance of their return: “After the break, we are especially thrilled to welcome XCO and XCC back. Their return is a strong signal of appreciation for Saalfelden Leogang as a host of all MTB disciplines. We’re complete again. The course in Leogang, with its many elevation changes, is particularly popular among Austrian athletes, and we’ve seen great performances from them in recent years. That’s crucial for the success of the event and also motivates us as organizers to deliver at our best.”

 

Anticipation for the Home Race
Hopes among Austrian downhill fans rest on local hero and downhill sensation Valentina Höll. The Salzburg Sportswoman of the Year and three-time world champion already triumphed in Leogang in 2023 and 2024 – and now she’s aiming for a home race hat-trick:
“I’ve proven over the last two years that I can do it. I handle pressure well – and I actually need a bit of nervousness to perform at my best,” says Höll, who also thanks the organizers:
“Without their massive effort, we wouldn’t have this stage.”
This season, which begins in mid-May, features ten World Cup stops – more than last year: “Consistency will be key to success,” says Höll.

 

2023 Leogang winner Andreas Kolb also has big goals after joining the YT MOB Factory Race Team:
“The team setup is fantastic. My prep was mixed – I broke my ankle in December. But things have improved over the last few weeks. Overall, I feel fitter and faster than last year. We’ll see how things go at the World Cup opener in two weeks,” says Kolb, who’s especially looking forward to his home race:
“Leogang is the best-organized World Cup on the circuit. It’s always great to feel the local support and motivation.”

 

Long-Term Partnership Secures World Cup Action Until 2030
The future of World Cup racing in this premium mountain bike region is secured: Thanks to a long-term agreement, Saalfelden Leogang will remain a World Cup venue through 2030 – including the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 2028. A five-year partnership has been signed with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports, organizer of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series – the first such long-term deal with a region, as Kornel Grundner emphasizes: “We are the only region worldwide with a five-year contract with WBD until 2030. That makes us proud and allows us to plan long-term, even beyond the 2028 World Championships.”
Marco Pointner adds: “Our shared goal is to be and remain Europe’s number-one bike region and to make our offering accessible to a wide range of audiences. Together with WBD, we want to push the sport forward and in the future be able to compete with road racing in terms of reach.”

 

Epic Bikepark Leogang: New Lines & a Strong Community
Epic Bikepark Leogang continues to evolve. In 2025, riders of all levels can look forward to four new lines – with some of the names created in collaboration with the bike community. Names like “Back to the Roots” and “Hangover” have emerged from this process.
Next season, which officially begins on May 9 (with some early openings between April 12 and 21), there will be a special focus on women. Through dedicated camps and workshops, the spotlight will be on riding technique, confidence, and – most importantly – the joy of riding together.

 

More Voices from the Press Conference:
• Manuel Hirner (CEO Bergbahnen Saalbach Hinterglemm, Head of Enduro Track): “We’re thrilled to host the Enduro World Cup for the third time in Austria’s largest bike region and to welcome over 350 elite and junior athletes. Enduro riders are, in my opinion, the most complete athletes in the sport. We aim to set new standards in Enduro and give it more visibility – that’s why the final stage will finish directly in the Leogang finish arena, right after the Short Track finals – with live broadcast.”
• Mag. (FH) Martin Zauner (Minister of the Government of Salzburg): “Leogang recognized the potential of mountain biking early on. The region is a top mountain bike destination, and we’re proud to have such an offering in Salzburg. About 40% of all sports travel is now bike-related. The long-term contract with WBD through 2030 is fantastic for planning security – and I’m very excited for what’s to come.”
• KR Harald J. Mayer (President of the Austrian Cycling Federation): “Leogang is a role model venue on an international level. Mountain biking continues to be a steady source of medals for Austria – which is why we’re optimistic about the upcoming World Championships and Olympic Games.”
• Florian König, MSc (Secretary General, Cycling Austria): “Looking ahead to the World Championships, we’ll further expand our youth development efforts with additional initiatives. Since last year, we’ve had a dedicated downhill youth coach, Marcell Frey, focusing on the U15/U17 age group. A promising youth project is also underway at the HIB Saalfelden sports school.”
• Gernot Hörwertner (SalzburgerLand Tourism): “Mountain biking is one of our key tourism offerings. Alongside Tyrol, Salzburg is a leader in mountain biking in Austria. Internationally, we’re focusing on three pillars: leisure cycling, mountain biking – where we play a leading role – and gravel biking. We want to pick up on trends and offer matching experiences.”

 

The final races of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series 2025 Saalfelden Leogang will be broadcast on ServusTV, Eurosport, Discovery+, and MAX. All information and tickets are available in the official World Series app and online at www.mtb-weltcup.at

 

Fan Perks On-Site
Fans can enjoy several advantages on site: There will be a secure bicycle parking area, and free public transport will be available throughout the state of Salzburg (the event ticket doubles as a transit pass). In addition, visitor shuttles will take guests directly to the event grounds. During the promotional period from May 1 to 31, 2025, families will receive 50% off children’s tickets when purchasing adult tickets – perfect for an unforgettable family adventure.