Press-Information
PRESS-RELEASE
Starting Signal for the Salzkammergut Trophy
Austria’s biggest Mountain Bike Marathon – 12th until 14th of July 2013
With more than 4.000 athletes from 37 nations, the Salzkammergut Trophy is the biggest mountain bike marathon in Austria. From the 12th until the 14th of July up to 15.000 visitors are expected at this bike spectacle weekend taking place for the 16th time in the UNESCO World Heritage Region Hallstatt-Dachstein-Salzkammergut. New competitions promise even more action for participants as well as spectators!
Pros and Hobby Bikers starting together
On July 13, the 500 toughest among the mountain bike athletes meet in Bad Goisern already at 05:00 am – the extreme distance is waiting!
Incredible 211,3 kilometers and 7.049 meters change in altitude – this is Europe’s toughest mountain bike marathon! For this challenge hardboiled pros like last year’s winner Ondrej Fojtik (CZE), podium finishers Bart Brentjens (NED), Max Friedrich (GER) and winner 2011 Wolfgang Krenn (AUT) signed up.
However the Salzkammergut Trophy is not only a season highlight for international top athletes: besides the extreme track, the Trophy offers seven distances – 22,1; 37,9; 53,5; 73,6 and 119,5 km as well as the brand new “all mountain” competition with 61 km. The various courses are perfect for hobby athletes who select their personal challenge according to fitness and at the same time enjoy the great Salzkammergut race atmosphere. Amateur bikers also benefit from the time limits on the shorter distances: with an average of less than 10 kilometers per hour one still remains in the race. Slowness is even an advantage for the participants of the Slow-Motion rating! By the way, after the winners’ ceremony there is a draw for non-cash prizes worth 6,500 Euros among all present participants.
NEW: „Eliminator“ and „All-Mountain“
In addition to the six traditional courses starting in Bad Goisern leading through the picturesque mountain landscape of the Salzkammergut, the Trophy 2013 offers a brand new and spectacular contest: the “All Mountain” course aiming at the needs and potentials of the so called “Fully-Bikers”. The 61 km long track is technically demanding and includes the three most difficult down-hills of the extreme distance as well as numerous tricks trails. The start of the new “all mountain” challenge takes place in the Emperor’s City Bad Ischl, the finish is in Bad Goisern.
Already a day before the Trophy, on July 12th, a spectacular “eliminator” race – also new in the program – awaits the spectators. For this spectacle Daniel Federspiel, multiple Austrian Champion, has already signed up.
The Juniors call the shots
On Sunday July 14th the young talents will call the shots in a sporty way. 300 kids and youngsters between three and 16 years of age will participate at the ASVÖ-SCOTT Junior Trophy. The start is – same as the big ones – in the center of Bad Goisern. The courses are adjusted according to the various age groups with a length of 0.4 km (U5) up to 12,8 km (U17). Every participant receives in the finish area a ginger bread medal and a Trophy T-shirt. There is also a Junior raffle after the winners’ ceremony. The first prizes are a SCOTT Mountainbike worth 1.000 Euro which the winner can choose and a pair of Fischer Ski.
The final of the Trophy weekend will be another real spectacle: 100 daredevils downhill unicyclists will plunge down the 500 meters change in altitude from the mountain hotel Predigstuhl towards Bad Goisern.
The unicycle downhill of Bad Goisern has become a must among the booming unicycle scene. World class bikers like last year’s winner and current World Champion Rulf Jakub (CZE), runner up World Champion Sterward Ziga (SLO) and 2010 World Champion David Weichenberger (AUT) from Linz will be at the start!
Bike-Expo: shopping and testing the latest bikes
The bike expo is one of the main side events during the three days of happening. About 70 exhibitors will present the newest products and innovations in the bike sector. Many stands offer also sweepstakes and special deals. Not only participants, but also visitors should check out the expo area and put the newest bikes – mountain as well as e-bikes – to the acid on the special test trails. On Saturday and Sunday the best team mechanics are waiting at the service booths and will support visitors with bike problems. In addition numerous clothing producers will present their products at a bike fashion show.
Ö3 Disco and helicopter sightseeing tours
Visitors who stay the whole Trophy weekend in the Salzkammergut get their money’s worth in many ways. On Friday night the Ö3 disco will fire up the crowds. The “MTB Eliminator“ race takes also place on Friday, the main competitions on Saturday and the unicycle downhill on Sunday with incredible performances of top athletes surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Special selected visitor spots – for example in front of the Hütteneckalm, Rathlucka Hütte, in Lauffen, Weißenbach, Obertraun, Hallstatt and Gosau – guarantee perfect sights of the event. However, the best view offers the helicopter. Sightseeing tours are available on Saturday and Sunday.
The Salzkammergut a Holiday Destination for Bikers!
With more than 4,000 bikers from all over the World participating in various competitions and 15,000 visitors along the courses – the Salzkammergut has become a leading destination for the mountain bike marathon scene. The Holiday region Dachstein-Salzkammergut profits immensely from the participants as well as sports fans on site ensuring not only additional overnight stays but also a great advertising effect.
70 mountain bike tracks with a total 1.450 km (!) make the Salzkammergut a top holiday destination for bikers. Highlight of the region is the Dachstein loop which leads in three legs around the highest mountain in Upper Austria offering three difficulty levels – blue, red and black. An international renowned event like Salzkammergut Trophy is the icing on the image-cake!
Presse-Kontakt:
Loidl Caroline, caroline@trophy.at 0664 / 53 56 948
Vanessa Böttcher, vanessa@trophy.at 0664 / 55 94 237
Perstl Peter, peter@trophy.at 0664 / 38 64 393
Foto by Erwin Haiden, nyx.at | Abdruck honorarfrei
