You don't have to be a professional or have a racing licence to take part in this new pump track series. You don't even have to pay an entry fee. All you need is an MTB, a BMX or - if you're still very small - a balance bike. This makes the eight event dates ideal for family outings at the weekend. And these are the 8 stations of the German Pumptrack Series, GPS for short, for 2025:
The 8 stations of the German Pumptrack series
1st stop: Rheinberg (NRW) on 26 April
The pump track is located around 30 kilometres north of Duisburg and is 900 square metres in size. Since its inauguration in 2021, the facility has already hosted several races (NRW Cup). In addition to the pump track, there is also a climbing park. Address: Friedrich-Stender-Weg 6A, 47495 Rheinberg
2nd stop: Berlin, Mellowpark on 17 May
This facility (built by Velosolutions) is located in Mellowpark in the Treptow-Köpenick district, directly on the River Spree. What makes it special is that young people were once allowed to design the facility themselves in 1999 and won the Senate competition prize "Jugend entwickelt das neue Berlin" (Youth develops the new Berlin). In December 2024, the decision was made to build an additional BMX hall (national performance centre) and the park's other sports facilities are also to be expanded in the coming years. Size so far: 60,000 square metres for BMX, skateboarding, basketball, volleyball and much more
Address: An d. Wuhlheide 250 in Treptow-Köpenick, mellowpark.de
3rd stop: Raunheim in Hesse on 31 May
In 2019, the company Pumptrack.de set up this large, branched pump track in Raunheim near Frankfurt. It has not yet been decided how the race lap for the GPS will be set, but one thing is certain on this course: fitness can't hurt. If necessary, the city has now installed floodlights.
Address: Schnelser Weg 1, 65479 Raunheim
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4th station: Waldsolms in Central Hesse on 14 June
Compact but fine pump track in central Hesse, near the town of Wetzlar. The facility has been open since 2024 and features two combined lines.
Address: Ziegelhüttenweg 3, 35647 Waldsolms
5th stop: Weilerswist in the Eifel on 22 June
This pump track was also realised in 2023 together with young people. The large course, which is also used for the GPS, is 235 metres long. However, there is also a separate 55-metre course for balance bike riders.
Address: At the sports centre of the SSV Weilerswist, www.eifel.info/a-pumptrack-weilerswist
6th stop: Monschau in the Eifel on 31 August
Close to the German-Belgian border, the Kalterherberg mountain bike training centre awaits with a pump track, kids' track, jumpline, rock and root course, skills area, signposted panoramic tours and bike hire.
Address: www.eifel.info/a-pumptrack-kalterherberg
7th stop: Ettlingen in the Black Forest on 27 September
The asphalt bends of the Horbachpark in the Black Forest's Alb Valley have been undulating since 2024. The pump track is over 300 metres long and divided into a large and a small circuit.
Address: Kapellenweg in 76275 Ettlingen
8th stop/final in Erlangen on 18 October
The grand finale of the race series naturally needs a suitably festive spot. The pump track in Erlangen-Frauenaurach definitely provides this. The international racing elite have already evaporated a lot of sweat and blood on these Velosolutions asphalt bends. Most recently at the German Championships and the World Championship qualifiers in September 2024.
Address: Willi-Grasser-Straße, 91056 Erlangen, rc50-events.com
The regulations
Race procedure: All starters have the opportunity to practise on the track on race day. The race has a flying start. Timing starts at the start/finish line and a full lap must be completed. In addition to the winner of the day in each race, there will be an overall series ranking at the series finale in Erlangen.
Helmets are compulsory, full-face helmets and other protectors are strongly recommended by the organisers.
Current information and the complete regulations for the new German pump track series can be found here: german-pumptrack-series.de
Fun fact: Where is the largest pump track in the world?
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest pump track park has an area of 7991.75 square metres and was opened on 14 May 2023 in Shenyang, Liaoning (China). Professional Niels Bensink was there in 2023:
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
