Saalfelden Leogang welcomes Fourcross and the return of the UCI DH World Cup 2013

14 Feb 2013

Last year’s UCI Mountain Bike World Championships entertained the masses with more than 43,000 visitors, 750 riders and over 350 journalists from all over the world. The action, onsite atmosphere and the coverage made the world’s biggest mountain bike event of 2012 an overwhelming success. Each of the five disciplines crowned their world champion after thrilling competitions. Cross Country, Trials and the debut of XC Eliminator were all hosted in Saalfelden, while Downhill and Fourcross contests took place in Bikepark Leogang. The organizers are proud to announce that the 2012 worlds were completed with balanced books.

The International Cycling Association (UCI) made the decision to hold the 2013 Downhill World Cup Final in Saalfelden Leogang as well as the Fourcross World Championships due to the extraordinarily well-organized hosting of the major event in 2012. After 2010 and 2011, the international Downhill and Fourcross elite will once again come together at the end of September in the beautiful holiday resort to crown the fastest and toughest riders.

Last year’s DH world champions Greg Minnaar (RSA) and Morgane Charre (FRA) will have to fight off the world’s elite if they are to defend their titles. Rivals such as Aaron Gwin, Steve Smith, Sam Hill, the Atherton siblings and the Austrian riders like Markus Pekoll and Petra Bernhard already know the Bikepark’s downhill track like the back of their hand and will give everything in the battle for the world cup title.

The decision to move the Fourcross worlds from Pietermaritzburg (RSA) to Saalfelden Leogang was only announced in February 2013. This decision means that for the first time, a Fourcross world championship will not be arranged within a UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championship, but as a separate Fourcross World Championship event. The UCI’s MTB-coordinator Peter van den Abeele comments: „There is appropriate enthusiasm in Saalfelden Leogang about hosting the Fourcross World Championships. This event could bring fresh air into the discipline.”

In Saalfelden Leogang, the Fourcross Pro Tour is being held the week before the Fourcross worlds (from September 14^th to 15^th) – this is a good chance for the participants also starting for the world title, to familiarize themselves with the Leogang track before the final race. Therefore, we can assume that the Fourcross Pro Tour will give us a look at the strongest candidates for the world champion title. Besides the extensive bike action there will be a diversified and informative expo area. Also several evening activities are planned, like the famous Ö3-radio Party.

If you like to plan for the action, we have prepared an all-in package including world championship tickets and accommodation in Leogang:

UCI Mountain Bike WC + Worlds special-offer from September 19^th-22^nd 2013:

3 overnight stays incl. 2 day-tickets with access to the event arena incl. free entrance to all parties plus the “Löwen Alpin Card” from € 100,-- per person

More bike highlights from summer 2013:

18^th-20^th May 2013	Bike Park & Freeride Camp
30^th-2^nd June 2013	Tri Motion Saalfelden
15^th-16^th June 2013	Single Trail Camp
20^th-23^rd June 2013	Out of Bounds Festival
To be announced	Scott Junior Trophy
21^st-25^th June 2013 and	Freeride Youth Camp "ROOKIE"
11^st-16^th August 2013	(for both dates 3-5 days possible)
7^th-8^th September 2013	Ladies Camp "GIRLS SHRED TOO"
14^th-15^th September 2013	Fourcross Pro Tour Final
15^th September 2013	5th Asitzgipfel Mountain Run with 2nd MTB Hillclimb
19^th-22^nd September 2013	UCI Mountain Bike Weltcup Final
3^rd–6^th October 2013	Fan Weekend at Bikepark Leogang
On request	E-Bike Technique Camp

Further information can be found on: http://www.outofbounds.at/en/competitions/uci-mtb-world-cup/
For media requests please contact: press@mtb-weltcup.at

Leogang Event GmbH
Hütten 39
5771 Leogang
Tel: +43 6582 70660-0
Fax: +43 6582 70660-99