Ziener BIKE Festival

Ziener BIKE Festival Willingen powered by MINI returns with a lot of novelties

Press Release / 25.05.2016

­The Ziener BIKE Festival powered by MINI returns to Willingen from May 27th till May 29th, 2016. It's the 19th time that one of the most well-known mountain bike events of Europe guests in the Upland region showcasing all facets of mountain biking.

Besides 150 exhibitors and 300 brands which present the latest products for the new season on the huge outdoor fair to more than 35,000 visitors, numerous high-quality races will once again attract more than 3,000 active mountain bikers to compete in a total of eight events; with a few of them being brand-new!

One of the firsts in the 18-year-history of the festival is the CANNONDALE Road Riot powered by Panaracer. This gravel race format open for gravel and road bikes features a 5.39 km circuit track through the Willingen countryside and will therefore complete the broad range of events at site.

In addition, the RADON Pump Battle is also celebrating its debut in Hesse. The sixth and therefore last stop of the Dual Pump discipline of the Pump Battle World Series will provide some thrilling and exciting knock-out duels.

On two identical and parallel, purpose-built pumptrack courses, two riders go head to head battling for the next round; and in the finals for the title 'Pump Battle King Willingen'.

On Saturday morning and subsequent to the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon, the flagship event of the European mountain bike marathon scene which attracts some 2,000 athletes year by year thanks to four different courses, it's time for the premiere of the BOSCH eMTB Marathon supported by Trek.

This extra race targets the special needs of e-mountain bikes and is open for all e-bikes and pedelecs with a maximum speed of 25 km/h.

Above that, downhill fans can look forward to an upgrade on Sunday. After hosting a stop of the German tour on the World Cup-approved course on the Ettels mountain over the past two years, it's time to step up the game by hosting the second stop of the iXS European Downhill Cup tour.

In addition, the SRAM-Specialized Enduro Series is once again stopping by in Willingen while other side events like the SCOTT Junior Trophy or the CANYON Pumptrack powered by mtb-academy round out the mountain bike weekend in Hesse which will welcome more than 35,000 visitors to the huge outdoor fair right beneath the Ettels mountain gondola again.

Guided tours as well as a stunning trial show by six-time world champion Marco Hoeser are also part of the action-loaded, three-day event programme in Willingen.

For further information on the festival, the programme or tips for accommodations and event registrations visit willingen.bike-festival.de.

The most important dates at a glance

• Friday, May 27th, 3 PM: CANNONDALE Road Riot powered by Panaracer

• Friday, May 27th, 6:45 PM: Finals RADON Pump Battle World Series

• Saturday, May 28th, 7:30 AM: Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon

• Saturday, May 28th, 8 AM: BOSCH eMTB Marathon supported by Trek

• Saturday, May 28th, 4:30 PM: CANYON Pumptrack powered by mtb-academy

• Sunday, May 28th, 7:30 AM: SRAM-Specialized Enduro Series

• Sunday, May 29th, 12 PM: SCOTT Junior Trophy

• Sunday, May 29th, 12:30 PM: Finals iXS European Downhill Cup