Urban Freeride Contest in Meersburg

RIDE TO THE LAKE 2004 - the countdown has begun
In less than two weeks time, Meersburg will open its historic old town for the international freeride elite who will meet in the small town at Lake Constance between September 24th and 26th for the first ever RIDE TO THE LAKE CONTEST. Meanwhile most obstacles have been built and Competition Manager Cory Moore is dying to see the riders from around the world fly over his massive constructions."I am really stoked and can’t wait to see the riders on the course", says Moore, who approached Meersburg’s mayor Heinz Tausendfreund two years ago and got the project Urban Freeride Contest going. „I don’t know what’s gonna happen at those obstacles, but I know it will be sick. I have been doing all this for the riders. They will enjoy it from the top to the bottom. Making the riders happy means making everyone else happy.”

In the meantime, the list of invited freeriders has grown by a dozen. Local hero Guido Tschugg has confirmed his participation as well as Axel Lehmkuhl, Cameron McCaul, Antoine Botella, Ben Kijak, Bruno Penone, Michal Marosi, Kamil Tartarkovic, Nicholas Duye, Gee Atherton, Jan Stoetzer, Fabien Pedemanaud, Daniel Trenkle, Christopher Hatton, Georg Engel, Ben Stoclets and Mick Hannah. Thus there will be nine nations at the start in Meersburg (USA, CAN, FRA, GER, GBR, SUI, AUT, CZE, AUS).

What currently concerns the riders most, is the choice of bike. “I am always asked, whether they should rather bring a fully or a hard tail”, says Tarek Rasouli. “But in fact, you can use any bike on the course. You should chose whatever you feel most comfortable with. That’s the beauty of this contest. It will bring the best of both worlds together and the route is versatile enough for everyone to show great performance and style.”

Those who would like to meet the freeride stars from around the world off-course and without a helmet have their chance on Saturday night at the RIDE TO THE LAKE party which will take place at ‘Sommertalhalle’ in Meersburg at 8 p.m. The entry fee is 5 Euros. The organisers have hired Munich-based DJ Chrome, who is the primary choice if Ispo trade show and several board manufacturers and video productions when it comes to music and events. During the party, there will also be an autograph session with all the riders. Furthermore, Oakley will present their Sick-O Award, which rewards the most extreme move or the most exceptional line of the day. For this award, the judges will make a pre-selection of three to five moves which will then be presented by video clip. It is then up to the riders to select the winner of the Sick-O Award.

Friday, 24 September 2004
Training Day
Saturday, 25 September 2004
09h30-12h30 Training
13h30-17h30 Qualification 1st and 2nd run
20h00 Ride to the Lake Party
Sunday, 26 September 2004
09h45-12h30 Training
13h30-16h30 1st and 2nd run
17h00 Presentation of Awards

Web site: www.ridetothelake.com