Peak Performances at the 27.FSA BIKE Festival Garda Trentino

Press Release / 18.10.2021

Today, sport has been lived out to the fullest at the FSA BIKE Festival in 2021. At the 'SCOTT BIKE Marathon', thousands of endurance athletes compared their form and riding skills in the three routes with different difficulties. The  'eMTB  Challenge' was not only about battery management, but also about ones riding skills, fitness and sense of orientation. At the end of the day, the successful bikers are celebrated extensively at the 'Open Night`

Riva del Garda, 16th of October 2021. It's 7:30 in the morning. Riva is still covered by the shadows of the mountains. The temperature was far below the comfort zone. After all, these challenging conditions did not lower the motivation of the more than 1,000 participants of the SCOTT BIKE Marathon in the slightest. After the starting signal for the 'Ronda Extrema' (83 kilometres, 3,480 metres of altitude) and 'Ronda Grande' (59.5 kilometres, 2,400 metres of altitude) they contested their way with Goosebumps and smiling faces. The participants of the 'Ronda Piccola' (31 kilometres, 1,065 metres in altitude) were allowed to set off half an hour later with the sun rising over the mountain peaks.

To warm up, the muscles were used relentlessly directly from the start of the 'Ronda Extrema'. "We rode fast right from the start. It was cold, after all." said Sascha Weber, the winner of the Men's category from the Trek-Vaude team, while grinning. With a time of 3:55.58 hours, he was the only one to complete the demanding course in less than four hours. Hansueli Stauffer from Team BULLS needed 4:02.20 hours for the lap and came in second. With a time of 4:04.15, another Trek Vaude rider - Karl Markt – achieved the third place.

Although the route was a bit shorter this year, the "Ronda Extrema" has lost none of its ambition. The route, which included several long climbs, such as the long way up to Malga di Vigo or the climb along the beautiful Sentiero die Russi, was neither less demanding.

There was not much time, particularly for the fast ones, to enjoy the fantastic panoramas, such as those offered by Lake Tenno or the view from Malga Valbone, the highest point of the track.

"I couldn't enjoy the beautiful panoramas during the race today," says Sascha Weber, who adds quickly - with a nod in the direction of his teammate next to him: "But maybe Mona did."

Mona Mitterwallner, who achieved the title as marathon world champion on Elba two weeks ago – as the youngest in history - also dominated the women's category today at the young age of 19 and won the toughest round with an excellent time of 4:51.18 hours. Where does this talent come from? “I just love mountain biking. I think it's because of this huge passion and my relentless ambition," smiles the likeable young lady. With a time of 4:58.42 hours, Sosna Katazina from the Torpado Südtirol MTB-Team made it to the second step of the podium. Third place went to Paulina Wörz from RSC Kempten with a time of 5:21.07 hours.

The eMTB-Challenge was not that much more comfortable, despite the motor support. On a varied and technically demanding course, numerous participants needed strong legs, riding skills and a sense of direction in addition to an energy efficient riding style. The most versatile rider and therefore winner of the race in the Men Advanced category is Tiago Ladeira, followed by Emanuel Pombo in 2nd place and Nuno Reis in 3rd place. Alia Marcellini won the Advanced Ladies category. Second place went to Nathalie Schneitter, third place to Stephanie Rinner.

Many more exciting side events will follow tomorrow. For example, in the Enduro- Challenge, the adrenaline junkies among the mountain bikers will be able to show their skills on the Italian trails. And in the Junior Trophy, the youngsters can show off their skills in order to make their parents proud and the crowd cheer. But for now, today's successes will be celebrated at the 'Open Night' party.

You can find general Information regarding  the BIKE Festival at https://riva.bike- festival.de/en/

Correction of the results of the Enduro race

Bielefeld, 21th of October 2021. Due to a data transmission error, there was unfortunately a result error at the Enduro race at the BIKE Festival Garda Trentino 2021. We would like to apologise and send you the corrected results.

Gustav Wildhaber won the men's elite race ahead of Davide Dalpian (second place) and Christian Löffler (third place). Tanja Naber won the elite women's race.