The World Games of Mountainbiking 2016

Hundreds of sportsmen (and –women), dense, fully motivated and totally concentrated. The sun is shining, tension is in the air. Last words from the moderator as well as the music are making the mood. Bikers and viewers count the last minute together, and than it is time. 3-2-1- GO!

We see confidence and tightness in the faces, a huge cluster of people passes the start line. Also Gunter, our sports-, & vitalcoach, starts very concentrated. In front of the eva,VILLAGE and the eva,ALM spectators are clapping and last kisses are thrown. It is a long path – there are between 30 and 80 kilometres to cycle.

But from the beginning:
The World Games of Mountainbiking took place for the 18th time in Saalbach. From 08. – 11. September the best Athletes of the bike scene compete in the disciplines downhill, cross country and marathon. Vivid sunshine accompanied the event – a unique experience for actors and spectators for sure.

As usual the Downhill race was held on the venerable Pro Line at the Reiterkogel – only a few seconds separate the wheat from the chaff.
The fastest man on the track was Mauser Stefan with a time of 3:42.49 – best time of the day. The competition of women won Kronberger Lisa with a time of 4:26.33. That time is unbelievable fast for a girl.

The youngest participants enjoy the Kids Downhill and the Junior Trophy – two formats completely adapted for kids.

Let’s take a look on the supreme discipline: marathon. The starting area is nearly empty after several thousand athletes headed towards Saalbach. After a few minutes the first mountain biker arrived at the Spielberghaus, the strongest sportsmen already remove from the Peloton.

The shortest version of the marathon measures 31 kilometres to the finish line, the medium distance 42 kilometres, the next length is 58 kilometres and ultra version guides over 80 kilometres through the mountains of Saalbach.
Everywhere a lot of spectators cheer the mountain bikers and refreshment areas supply the athletes.

The atmosphere is unique, when the athletes pass the highest points and summits after and energy-sapping uphill. Happiness, depletion and to break down barriers – the most different emotions accompany the race.

These were the moments, which determine in the memories of the athletes, surrounded by the most beautiful autumn sun in an epic late summer scenery.

The fastest man was Heinz Zörweg with an unbelievable time of 4:30:38.40. At the female class Angelika Tazreiter was the fastest girl with a time of 05:10:46.19.
With thunderous applause the athletes crossed the finish line. Our Gunter also finished the 42 kilometres distance – a versatile sportsmen who can compete in quite a lot of disciplines.

With a big grin in our faces we are looking back to the 18. World Games of Mountainbiking. An event where the movement in nature is the main goal and the pleasure to do sports in the open.

To the best pictures of the weekend …

Fotocredit: World Games of Mountainbiken, saalbach.com