The Leogang leg of the UCI Downhill World Cup is like Marmite. Some riders love it, others hate it. Either way, it’s going to be a solid weekend of riding for the top men and women in mountain biking in Austria this weekend.
Round four is built around the Leogang bike park, so think steep tracks with insane mountain valley views. After last week’s hectic final at Fort William, the riders have got everything to play for.
Claudio Caluori put together this POV course preview with excellent running commentary from the Italian himself. The course is looking gnarly as!
It’s enough to knock Madison/Saracen team manager Will Longden off-course!
Tight turns, rock gardens and hair-raising berms look set to make this race a fast one. Rachel Atherton, however, thinks the course is a little too well-manicured…
Who is looking like a hopeful contender?
Troy Brosnan came out of nowhere last week to win the leg at Fort William, beating current leader Aaron Gwin plus Steve Smith, Danny Hart and Gee Atherton to the podium. Greg Minnaar looks set to follow close behind, as a former winner here in Leogang.
It wasn’t a great weekend in Scotland last week for the Brit women, three of whom suffered competition-ending punctures. Emmeline Ragot will be looking to secure a second win. Here’s hoping Rachel Atherton and Manon Carpenter will give her a run for her money!
And weather-wise?
It’s been dry in Leogang, but rumour has it a storm came through last nice, plus more rain looks like it’s on its way this weekend. Things may get a bit messy as the stages progress. Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn into a Cairns-style deluge!
Want something to get a bit more intimate with the track? Watch this hilarious vieo with Wyn Masters!
Check out the full schedule below. Qualifying takes place on Saturday. Come Sunday, you watch the whole thing live from Red Bull here.
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