Laurin Lehner
· 05.10.2026
The plan worked out perfectly! The seventh edition of the BIKE Festival in Saalfelden Leogang was moved for the first time from mid-September to the first weekend in October – and it was a success. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Plenty of sunshine, a pleasant 23 degrees and good vibes.
The festival’s concept proved a success again this year. The focus is on cycling itself. No problem when the lift is just a stone’s throw from the Expo Area. All the trails in the bike park were open. And because cycling is even more fun with your idols, visitors were able to ride alongside cycling celebrities such as Marc Diekmann, Lukas Knopf and Elias Schwärzler. As well as party laps, some stars also ran workshops. For example, you could work your way through the very challenging Hotshots descent with YouTube star Elias Schwärzler. Slopestyle rider Lukas Knopf gave tips on jumping into the airbag at the valley station. Pump track expert Maximus Wielopolski showed his participants how to really build up speed on the pump track.
As always, manufacturers such as Scott, KTM, VPace and others brought plenty of test bikes to Leogang, which visitors were free to try out. New to the event: Atherton Bikes and Velduro. The two manufacturers from the UK and New Zealand were in Leogang for the first time, showcasing their range to visitors and providing bikes for testing.
However, it wasn’t just complete bike manufacturers who made their product ranges available for test rides – tyre specialist Maxxis and the footwear experts at First Degree also provided test equipment.
Clunking gear changes, a chain that jumps off… – no cyclist wants to ride with noises like that. Our team of mechanics showed how the derailleur works and what’s important when it comes to adjusting, servicing and maintaining the drivetrain – so your bike runs as it should again.
On Saturday, the festival was all about the youngest visitors: over a hundred children of various ages threw themselves into the racing action at the VPace Kids Cup on a specially set-up downhill course above the valley station.
The race series is aimed at young cycling enthusiasts aged between five and ten and offers the ideal opportunity to gain their first competitive experience in a relaxed atmosphere. After the race numbers had been handed out, the programme included a group track walk and a riders’ meeting – before it was time to explore the track, check the bikes and clock up plenty of metres during the practice session. Then came the big moment: the liberating start beep.
The Vpace Kids Cup is something very close to my heart. It’s a chance for the kids to get a taste of racing whilst having a great time. Sabine Oswald, founder
Depending on their age group, the young riders competed in two runs, which called for riding technique and a feel for downhill riding. The focus was less on competitiveness and more on having fun – meeting new like-minded people, going full throttle and simply enjoying the competition. Because at the Kids Cup, everyone crosses the finish line a winner. Those who finish among the top three can also look forward to receiving a medal.
On 4 October 2026, the auner Austrian Gravity Series was in full swing once again at the Epic Bikepark Leogang – the grand season finale was just around the corner.
The racing series offers both up-and-coming talents and ambitious female racers the chance to prove themselves on genuine world-class circuits. The final takes on added excitement as it will decide the Salzburg and Tyrolean regional championships.
The races took place on the Bongo Bongo, T-LINE by GoPro and Mini Speedster tracks – the perfect conditions for fast runs and thrilling finishes with a real sense of gravity.

Editor