Video: Highlights From iXS Round 2 Schladming

 See the tough, steep woods sections in Leogang? That is what Schladming is the whole way down. And instead of a minute long flattish gravel bike park table top section, you just have more flat out, steep, bermy track.

 The thing about Leogang is that while it's true that there are 2 steep and gnarly sections through the woods, the rest of the track is not really technical at all. The whole upper part before the first woods section would be faster on a 6" travel Enduro race bike than a DH bike. After that, most of the middle part where it's smooth and flat with the big tables, an all-mountain hardtail with a 5" fork would probably be the fastest. It's only the two woods sections where a proper DH bike is really needed, barely half of the course. It's also mostly a one line course as well.
At Schladming it's steep most of the way down, certainly there are no extended flat sections. Smooth it is not. The places it isn't rocky, it's rooty, or full of holes, or fast wide open off camber turns through slippery grass. There are also lots of line options in most every section.
To be fair, all this stuff can be hard to tell from these short videos that only show portions of the track. Check out these full runs with helmet cams. The first is a side by side comparison of Mahnon Carpenter vs Rachel Atherton at Leogang.
www.pinkbike.com/news/video-carpenter-vs-atherton-leogang-2014.html
This next one is Brendan Fairclough doing a course check at Schladming.
www.pinkbike.com/news/video-course-check-ixs-edc-schladming-2014.html
These will give a much clearer idea of why the riders prefer Schladming.

 Leogang has some sections of technical roots, but they make up about 20% of the entire track with the remainder being ultra smooth, line-less machine made sections with a loose gravel-type surface. Schladming is steeper (especially the finish, holy shit that open slope is crazy steep), has far more technical sections, and while it has machine made sections they are perfect corners with multiple lines and awesome dirt. These are among the many reasons why every pro likes going to Schladming over Leogang.

 I was there at the race because everyone was saying how steep and gnarly that track is so i checked it out. first thoughts at the trackwalk were : HOLY SHIT! that track is very steep the whole way down with highspeed sections and awesome big jumps. Best track i've ever ridden and believe me no picture or helmet cam run can materialize how gnarly that track is!