It is a real World Cup atmosphere that World Games of Mountainbiking when the nations march into the marquee with their flag bearers. The grand opening ceremony, which will be celebrated on Friday, 7 September 2018 at 7 pm, is the first highlight of the Saalbach Hinterglemm event.
There is plenty to celebrate this year: Saalbach Hinterglemm and the World Games of Mountainbiking are celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. This special sporting event has been held since 1998 and has maintained its status as the "Mountain Bike World Championships for Amateurs" ever since. In the early years, only amateurs were allowed to compete here. Licensed riders have also been allowed to take part in the World Games for some years now. However, this has not affected the status of the Hobby World Championships. These World Championship titles are as coveted as ever by non-professionals and have to be fought for very hard.
"The first World Games of Mountainbiking in 1998 were the starting signal for mountainbike tourism and for the development of Saalbach Hinterglemm into one of the leading bike destinations in the Alps. Two decades have now passed and this year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of this amateur world championship. The whole town is looking forward to welcoming thousands of athletes and spectators from many countries on the second weekend in September. What makes the World Games of Mountainbiking such a special event? The routes of the various marathon distances, this year there will also be a short beginners' round, are breathtaking: from one natural highlight to the next, over the Pinzgau grass mountains with views of the Hohe Tauern. Our cable cars allow accompanying persons to float up the mountains and cheer on their athletes. Kids also get their money's worth at the Junior Trophy. Our award ceremonies and the legendary party with the band Gerry and Gary in the large marquee are impressive. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to our anniversary event. Your Wolfgang Breitfuß"
The marathon: a masterly centrepiece and for a good cause
The centrepiece of the World Games of Mountainbiking is, of course, the marathon. The 80-kilometre route strings together pretty much all the scenic, sporting and technical highlights on a string of pearls: the Panorama-Alm on the Kohlmais, the Milka-Line, the Schattberg with its east and west summits, the legendary Hacklberg Trail, the Seekar and the scenically outstanding valley head of the Glemmtal. And these are by no means all the highlights. But even the shorter routes have a lot of Saalbach genes in them.
By the way: the World Games Marathon is also a charity marathon. With a sponsorship, you donate €1 per kilometre run to the association DEBRA Austriawhich supports the butterfly children. If you want to know more, have a look at www.schmetterlingskinder.at
The World Games MTB routes at a glance:
Marathon 21 (NEW!): 21 km, 880 m elevation gain
Marathon 31: 31 km, 1160 m elevation gain
Marathon 42: 42 km, 1980 m elevation gain
Marathon 58: 58 km, 2920 m elevation gain
Marathon 80: 80 km, 3678 m elevation gain
The marathon starts on Saturday, 8 September 2018 at 9 a.m., registration is possible until one hour beforehand. Starter packs are available from 49 euros, Early bird will receive a personalised race number and an anniversary action photo by 30.6.2018; if you register by 15.8.2018, you will only receive a personalised race number.
The day before, on 7 September at 4 p.m., young bikers aged 3 to 13 will be pedalling at the Scott Junior Trophy with or without pedals. In the end, of course, everyone wins.
Further information, the complete programme and registration here: saalbach.com/worldgames
