The official word from Leogang. Let’s hope that it’s a goody because Leogang will host a World Cup round for another two years:

Leogang, Austria, April 12th, 2010 – Leogang is well known for its bike park and mountain bike events, but 2010 brings a new and really big hit: the UCI world cup circus visits the small Austrian town located in the countryside around Salzburg in late June. On the weekend before the Out of Bounds Festival, the UCI Downhill and Four Cross World Cup will bring the stars of the gravity sport to Leogang. Watch big names like Steve Peat (GBR), Sam Hill (AUS), Gee Atheron (GBR), Jared Graves (AUS) or Greg Minnaar (RSA) racing Leogang’s legendary “Speedster” downhill trail or battling head to head on the brand new 4X track. The long weekend from June 18th to 20th is only the launch for a three years partnership between the UCI and Leogang: World Cups in 2011 and 2012 are also already fixed.

The UCI recently approached the region Leogang Saalfelden for a possible collaboration. The negotiations went fast and well, because both sides knew that it would be a perfect fit. Leogang, which is not only well known for the Out of Bounds Festival, but also for the ongoing effort put in their bike park design and development of new offers, proved to be one of the most progressive mountain bike destinations in Europe one more time. Peter Donabauer, managing Director of the Leogang Saalfelden Tourism Association adds: “We are very happy that we were able to agree with the UCI so fast and are now named as an official venue of the UCI Downhill and Fourcross World Cup for he next three years in a row. The Bikepark Leogang will host Austria’s most important mountain bike event in 2010, 2011 and 2012. We will also put additional efforts into the integration of the Olympic discipline Cross Country from 2011 on. Not enough, also the European Championships are one of our goals for 2012.” Leogang is obviously looking into a bright near future while having the mountain bike sport at the top of their priority list.

The bike park team in Leogang can’t wait for the snow to melt and to start the preparations. The UCI is looking forward to have Leogang as a new partner of their Downhill and Fourcross World Cup. The set date in the UCI racing calendar for the Austrian tour stop stays the same, but now a never seen double feature was created. From June 18th to 27th, a unique combination of mountain bike events and competitions hits Leogang. When the World Cup circus moves on after a thrilling weekend on Monday, the Out of Bounds Festival is up to follow directly from the next Thursday on. The Out of Bounds Festival is Austria’s biggest mountain bike freeride event – including an iXS European Downhill Cup, the grand final of the European Fourcross Series as well as the legendary international dirt jump contest 26TRIX. No question, Leogang is worth a journey for sure in late June.

More detailed information about the Bikepark Leogang, its events, trails and services can be found on: www.bikepark-leogang.com.