The highlight video for the BIKE Festival in Riva 2021.
Browsing, marvelling, pedalling: even - or perhaps especially - in the golden autumn, the FSA BIKE Festival Garda Trentino none of its appeal. 40,000 enthusiastic mountain bike fans were drawn to the BIKE Festival in Riva from 15 to 17 October to test the latest products from more than 120 exhibitors or to go on a guided test ride on the trails on Lake Garda.
At the side events, 2000 active athletes pushed themselves to peak performances on the race courses and celebrated their successes at the open night party on Saturday evening. The consistently golden autumn weather ensured perfect conditions with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures.
Like a year without Christmas
The traditional season opener on Lake Garda has turned into a grandiose season finale this year due to the new Corona-related date in October. "It's the same as always and completely different at the same time," said BIKE editor-in-chief Henri Lesewitz, explaining the feelings he experienced in the midst of the cheerful mountain bike fans. Like most of them, he was simply overjoyed that the event had taken place: "A year without the BIKE Festival in Riva was like a year without Christmas."
Sascha Weber, winner of the Ronda Extrema of the SCOTT BIKE Marathon, also raved about this year's festival atmosphere: "It's a fantastic experience in spring and autumn." However, he prefers the date on the first weekend in May. Uli Stanciu, inventor of the BIKE Festivals and Transalpen and founder of BIKE Magazine, is also happy that the event could take place this year. "However, we are clearly going back to the traditional date in order to retain the basic idea of the festival," he adds firmly.
The basic idea is that the expo, with its many exhibitors and testing opportunities, should present the brand new products from the bike industry in spring and make it easier for people to make their own purchase decisions. This only really makes sense at the beginning of the season, as very few people buy a new mountain bike in winter.
In the end, most people agreed: next year, Riva will once again be the place to celebrate the start instead of the end. And it will be. The date has already been set: from 29 April to 1 May 2022, the season will once again get off to a traditional start on Lake Garda.
Discharge at the SCOTT BIKE Marathon
At the SCOTT BIKE Marathon on the Saturday of the festival, the energy built up over the past season was released right from the start. "We rode fast right from the start. It was cold," grinned Ronda Extreme winner in the men's category Sascha Weber from the Trek-Vaude team. With a time of 3:55.58 hours, he was the only one to complete the 83 kilometre route with 3480 metres of ascent in under four hours. The second fastest was Hansueli Stauffer from Team Bulls with a time of 4:02.20 hours. Another Trek Vaude rider, Karl Markt, took third place on the podium with a time of 4:04.15 hours.
Although a little shorter this year, the Ronda Extrema was as demanding as ever and peppered with tough climbs, such as the ramp up to Malga di Vigo or the climb on the beautiful Sentiero dei Russi. This meant that the particularly fast riders didn't have much time to enjoy the fantastic panoramic views of Lake Tenno or the view from the highest point of the tour, Malga Valbone.
"I wasn't able to enjoy the beautiful panoramas during the race today," admitted Sascha Weber, who quickly added - with a nod in the direction of his team-mate next to him: "But maybe Mona will."
Mona Mitterwallner, who a fortnight ago on Elba to become marathon world champion was the youngest in history - by the way - also dominated the women's category in Riva at the age of 19. She won with a time of 4:51.18 hours on the really big lap. Where did she get this talent from? "I just love mountain biking. I think it's down to this great passion and my relentless ambition," smiled the likeable young lady. With a time of 4:58.42 hours, Katazina Sosna from the Torpado Südtirol MTB team took second place. Third place went to Paulina Wörz from RSC Kempten with a time of 5:21.07 hours.
Not only on the Ronda Extrema, but also on the Ronda Grande (59.5 km, 2400 metres in altitude) and the short Ronda Piccola (31 km, 1060 metres in altitude), the chains were kneaded as usual. All results of the Scott BIKE Marathon 2021 can be found at riva.bike-festival.de
Really steep: Uphill fun eMTB Challenge
The eMTB Challenge continued with a varied and technically demanding programme. Despite motor support, strong legs, riding skills and a sense of direction were required in addition to battery conservation. The winner of the race in the Men Advanced category was the Portuguese rider Tiago Ladeira, followed by his compatriots Emanuel Pombo in second place and Nuno Reis in third. Italian Alia Marcellini won the women's advanced category. Second place went to Nathalie Schneitter from Switzerland and third place to Stephanie Rinner from Liechtenstein.
Enduro: Adrenalin kick on Sunday
The Sunday of the festival got the adrenaline pumping on the brand new enduro course. The course was even more trail-heavy, with the start/finish area located directly at the festival site for the first time in many years. Four stages with a total of 1170 metres of descent were on the to-do list. The five transfer routes with a total of 29 kilometres and 1570 metres in altitude had to be mastered by bike. Gusti Wildhaber was crowned the winner of the elite category, followed by Davide Dalpian in second place. Tanja Naber won the women's race.
In the footsteps of the greats: Junior Trophy
The youngsters followed in the footsteps of the grown-ups today with great ambition. The children between the ages of 3 and 14 not only impressed their parents in the Junior Trophy race. Everyone was a winner here, with each talented youngster receiving a finisher's medal at the finish line in recognition of their fantastic performance. Afterwards, the winners of the various age groups were honoured on the podium on the large BIKE stage with attractive prizes. Afterwards, all the youngsters were able to celebrate their participation together on the BIKE stage.
With the Green Pass to the festival
The 27th BIKE Festival Garda Trentino also owed its overwhelming success to the comprehensive hygiene concept and strict adherence to the measures. Only people with a "Green Pass" (immunised, recovered or tested) were granted access to the Expo. A test station was located next to the festival site and hygiene dispensers were distributed throughout the area.
All information and festival news can be found at riva.bike- festival.de. There you will also find the Results of all races 2021. And the date for next time has already been set. We want to celebrate the traditional start of the season in Riva again and look forward to the next BIKE Festival Garda Trentino from 29 April to 1 May 2022.
