The track is finished, the marquee is up – it’s served! The preparations in the mountain bike arena in Kleinzell were completed in good time. The weather is looking positive at the moment. Between 16 and 21 degrees are forecast for today and tomorrow. It will be changeable, with a high probability of remaining mostly dry. But the weather has been a defining variable in marathon events since the first marathon.
After two years without a granite marathon, the toughest race in the area is taking place again this weekend. The youngsters are already starting again in the ASVÖ Junior Granite Challenge. Bikers between the ages of 6 and 17 tackle the routes of various lengths. With a technology competition right in the MTB center and the cross-country race, you are well positioned. Incidentally, the technical obstacles can be used all year round and offer perfect training opportunities at different levels of difficulty.
Finally, tomorrow, the Raiffeisen Granitmarathon will celebrate its big comeback and, in addition to the winners over four distances (26 km, 49 km, 60 km, 90 km), will also choose the national champions over the marathon distance. Some of the greats of Austrian mountain bike sport want to have a say, including Olympian Christoph Soukup, seven-time state champion, three-time world champion and two-time European champion Alban Lakata, Philip Handl, European ultra-mountain bike marathon champion, and Daniel Geismayr, the already has world championship medals in silver and bronze in the MTB marathon. For the women, there will probably be no avoiding Babsi Mayer, who has contested the granite marathon many times in recent years and knows it like the back of her hand. For the home audience there is a hot potato in the running with Julia Gierlinger, who sensationally won the vice state championship title last year. The organizers have taken a close look at the developments in mountain biking in recent years and are breaking new ground with the High Voltage E-Bike Challenge. In addition, with Energie AG as a sponsor from the very beginning, a relevant company is on board. The currently popular e-mountain bikes are permitted, without modifications, of course. The route of the Granitmarathon Light is driven, which means 26 kilometers and 700 meters in altitude. However, e-bikers can take it easy downhill and on the flat, the total time doesn’t count. So you can easily cruise through the granite country and enjoy the atmosphere.
cheering desired
The granite marathon is not only an event for bikers, there is also a lot on offer for spectators. As a special feature, the two official fan and cheering zones are outstanding: the Seufzerallee in Lembach near the construction company Kumpfmüller and in Kleinzell and Neufelden the ascent of the Apfelsbach-Leitn on the old federal road. In Lembach there will be refreshments for the spectators and a “Tour de France” feeling for the bikers. The first section of the Energie AG mountain sprint is located in Apfelsbach. The bikers fight their way up the extremely steep climb and deserve every round of applause – they even need it. In addition to these fan zones, there are other sections of the route that are worth visiting.
Hunger, thirst and EXPO
If you are hungry before, in between or afterwards, there is the best food in the racing tent. In addition, at the EXPO, which is also located in the start/finish area, you can marvel at, test and buy many mountain bike products.
You can read information and start times here
Source: Nachrichten
