Lukas Knopf It’s a familiar sight in the world of Crankworx, where slopestyle tricks decide who makes it onto the podium. In Leogang, he’s taking experienced riders onto the ‘Hot Shots fired by GoPro Line’ – plus bag jump and pump track sessions for anyone who fancies seeing how the take-off really works.
Even more absurd is the CV of Elias Schwärzler: In 2022, the man from Vorarlberg reached 272.93 km/h on a mountain bike – behind a motorbike, mind you – setting a Guinness World Record. It’s hard to know exactly what to make of it. It’s impressive all the same. He’ll be out on the trails on all three days of the “Scott Gambler Ride Out” festival, and there’ll also be a signing session on Saturday.
Marlena Neißl knows Leogang from a different perspective: in 2020, she competed here at the Mountain Bike World Championships. Now she’s back – this time as a coach. The “Women’s Downhill Session” on Saturday and Sunday focuses on riding technique, line choice and greater safety on the descent. An initiative that’s long overdue.
The pump track is being taken over by Maximus Wielopolski – younger, but no less impressive. The German dirt rider will be showing how timing and bike control are truly interlinked at the “Pumptrack Progress Workshop” on all three days of the festival. Before that, he’ll briefly demonstrate it himself in a slopestyle session. Just to be on the safe side.
Expo, Academy and Gravity Final
The Pro Sessions form part of the BIKE Academy, which expands the programme to include riding technique training sessions with eMTB specialist Stefan Schlie and MTB personal trainer Gerald Rosenkranz. Anja Kallenbach and Eric Junker will also be taking part in the ‘Happy Trails Ride’.
For those who prefer to test the hardware: numerous brands are bringing their latest bikes and new models – straight onto the lines and trails of the bike park, where you can immediately see whether the new enduro bike lives up to what the product page promises.
The sporting highlights will be rounded off on Sunday with the final of the auner Austrian Gravity Series, including the Salzburg and Tyrol regional championships. On Saturday, there’s also something for the younger riders with the VPACE Kids Cup – complemented by bike trial shows and other supporting events.
It all kicks off on Friday!
It all kicks off on Friday, 2 October, from 11 am, with the official opening to follow at 12 noon. Free admission. All trails at the Epic Bikepark Leogang will be open throughout the weekend, and festival-goers will receive a 10 per cent discount on their bike ticket.
There’s really no reason to stay at home.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
