Ziener BIKE Festival Garda Trentino powered by MINI to Open European Mountain Bike Season

News Release / 28.04.2016

The 2016 mountain bike season will traditionally kick off at the shores of Lake Garda when the Ziener BIKE Festival Garda Trentino powered by MINI opens its doors from April 29th till May 1st. Over three days, mountain biking will take over centre stage with thrilling sport events as well as the biggest outdoor fairy in the 23-year history of the festival which will attract around 40,000 spectators.

More than 160 exhibitors and some 300 brands offer test events and trial courses while also presenting the latest developments and products to an interested audience, always focusing on the dialogue between business and customer!

In addition, the BIKE Festival is also known for its outstanding events. The highlight of the weekend will take place on Saturday when pros as well as amateurs compete in the Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon. More than 2,500 racers from more than 30 countries are expected to lock horns on four different courses.

While Ronda Facile (28.63 km, 702 m) and Ronda Piccola (44.24 km, 1,523 m) seem to be easy to master, Ronda Grande (73.94 km, 2,831 m) and especially Ronda Extrema (90.43 km, 3,838 m) are way more demanding. Furthermore, the marathon in Riva is also the opener of the MarathonMan Europe Series (www.marathonman-europe.com).

In addition to the enormous marathon programme and after its impressive success last year, the BOSCH eMTB Marathon supported by Trek is back again with the second edition taking place on a 41.5 km long track.

Besides the endurance races, Saturday will also host the popular CANYON Pumptrack powered by mtb-academy which will feature some decent training and video analyses to teach the right technique on the course before mountain bikers can go for first, second and third rank in a contest session against the clock.

On Friday night, mountain bike fans can look forward to an action-packed debut of another pump track discipline at La Rocca.

For the first time ever, the Pump Battle World Series will guest at the BIKE Festival. The third stop of the international contest series and first ever in Italy will provide close head-to-head duels in knock-out rounds on two identical and parallel, purpose-built 100 metres long pump track courses to find out who will be crowned “Pump Battle King of Riva”! (www.pumpbattle.com).

On Sunday, it's all about the best technique when the inaugural North Lake Enduro will provide an extra dose of adrenalin.

Participants will tackle five brand new stages in the Alto Garda Bikepark starting things off in Brentonico at the North face of Monte Altissimo and wrapping up things at Busatte, right above Torbole.

The SCOTT Junior Trophy, a special race for the youngest, numerous guided tours hosted by well-known exhibitors or by the Fahrtwind specialists as well as several parties and the breathtaking Fabio Wibmer Trial Show powered by Magura round out the event weekend at Lake Garda.

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

The most important events at a glance

• RADON Pump Battle

(April 29th, qualifiers at 6 PM, finals at 8 PM)

• BOSCH eMTB Marathon supported by Trek

(April 30th, start at 7:05 AM)

• Rocky Mountain BIKE Marathon 

(April 30th, start at 7:30 AM)

• CANYON Pumptrack powered by mtb-academy

(April 30th, start at 2 PM)

• North Lake Enduro

(May 1st, start at 8:30 AM)

• SCOTT Junior Trophy

(May 1st, start at 10:30 AM)

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