A total of 13 decisions were made in the cross country, downhill and e-MTB disciplines in the battle for the coveted rainbow jersey. The organisers of the World Championships in Saalfelden Leogang put on a great event under difficult conditions and received praise from all sides. The organisers are already looking forward to the first double World Cup (cross country and downhill) in June 2021 after the conclusion of the World Championships.
From sunshine to rain to light snowfall - the final day of the World Championships had it all. The challenging conditions at the UCI 2020 Mountain Bike World Championships in Salzburger Land led to thrills and spills in the battle for the coveted World Championship medals and demanded maximum concentration and full commitment from the riders. The completely new sections of the Speedster track met with a positive response from the field of riders and ensured excitement right to the end. "The track is totally different to what we've ridden in the World Cup in recent years. I really like the new parts of the Speedster and think they are great additions to the old track. Leogang has managed to create a technical and really good track here. In my opinion, it was an ideal World Cup track and I'm already looking forward to next year's World Cup in Leogang," says Greg Minnaar - winner of the previous World Championships in Saalfelden Leogang in 2012 - about the new section of the track.
Around 700 athletes from 48 nations competed in the cross country, downhill and e-MTB disciplines. The French team was by far the most successful and returned home with 12 medals (6 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze), while Great Britain took second place in the medal table with a total of five medals (3, 1, 1). Third place in terms of medals went to Switzerland (1, 3, 3). Austria came a proud 4th in the medal table with a total of three medals (1, 2, 0).
Due to Covid-19 safety measures, no spectators were allowed on the World Championships site. However, thanks to 37 TV and streaming providers from 20 countries (e.g. ZDF, ORF, host broadcaster Red Bull TV etc.), mountain bike fans were able to follow the races from home.
Anyone who didn't make it to the screen in time for the World Cup weekend can watch the ZDF media library (applies to Germany) to watch the races from the weekend again or watch the highlights from downhill and cross country here.
Watch the full highlights from the Men Elite DHI race as part of the 2020 UCI MTB World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz.The five-day event took place in Saalfelden Leogang, featuring XCO, Dowhill, E-MTB and XC Team Relay with all athletes racing for a UCI World Title and the rainbow jersey. Full Results at https://www.uci.org/mountain-bike/eve...
Watch the full highlights from the Women Elite XCO race as part of the 2020 UCI MTB World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz.The five-day event took place in Saalfelden Leogang, featuring XCO, Dowhill, E-MTB and XC Team Relay with all athletes racing for a UCI World Title and the rainbow jersey. Full Results at https://www.uci.org/mountain-bike/eve...
In Austria there are ORF Sport+ the World Championship races in the Downhill and Cross Country disciplines. The replays of the MTB World Championships are also available on Red Bull TV available as video on demand (Austria, Switzerland).
The organisers of the UCI 2020 Mountain Bike World Championships presented by Mercedes Benz faced a major challenge this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At very short notice, Saalfelden Leogang also took over the Cross Country World Championships in addition to the Downhill World Championships. A varied and technical world championship cross country course was built in just a few weeks. Well thought-out safety requirements and Covid-19 prevention concepts ensured that the entire event ran smoothly. Praise came from all sides, especially from the athletes.
"We are extremely happy that we were able to organise the World Championships in the current situation and that we have received so much positive feedback from all sides. Everyone felt comfortable and safe and that was the most important thing for us, especially under the current circumstances. The new tracks were very well received and the weather conditions added to the excitement. I would like to thank the teams for their cooperation and good atmosphere as well as every single member of our organisation and helper team. It was great," said World Championship organiser Marco Pointner. Saalfelden Leogang is already looking forward to hosting the first double World Cup in the disciplines of cross country and downhill, which will take place in Saalfelden Leogang from 11-13 June 2021.
Kornel Grundner (World Championship organiser): "I'm glad that both the cross country course and the new speedster section were so well received. The downhill riders in particular had asked for a more technical section. The XC course also met with an extremely positive response and I am delighted that we will be organising our first double World Cup next year."
More current news, dates and information about the trails of the Epic Bikepark Leogang can be found at bikepark-leogang.com, instagram.com/BikeparkLeogang or facebook.com/BikeparkLeogang.
There are special bike hotels in Saalfelden Leogang such as the Salzburger Hof, Bio Hotel Rupertus, Hotel Bacher, Hotel Riederalm, Hotel Ritzenhof, Mama Thresl, Hotel Krallerhof, Hotel Forsthofalm and Hotel Der Löwe as well as competent bike shops such as Sport Mitterer or Sport 2000 Simon for a "well-rounded bike holiday".
The Elements Outdoorsports bike school offers a wide range of options for improving your own skills, for guided tours or for riding technique training. A list of all bike-friendly accommodation in the Saalfelden Leogang region can be found here: saalfelden-leogang.com/en/region-experience/biking/bike-friendly-businesses.
Saalfelden Leogang, Saalbach Hinterglemm and Fieberbrunn have been Austria's largest bike region since this year
Just as in winter through the Skicircus, Saalfelden Leogang, Saalbach Hinterglemm and Fieberbrunn are now also growing together in summer - since this year to become Austria's largest bike region. The trails of Saalbach Hinterglemm are just a stone's throw away from Bikepark Leogang: there are a total of seven mountains, nine mountain railways and over 70 kilometres of lines and trails to discover by bike.
Further information about the Saalfelden Leogang region can be found at:
