WHO WILL DOMINATE THE NORDKETTE?

On August 29th, the Raiffeisen Club Nordkette Downhill.PRO puts local heroes and World Cup pros together at the starting line, in the same race.

World Cup pros against experienced local riders – the same race – the fastest style in downhill mountain biking – that's the special format the Raiffeisen Club NordketteDownhill.PRO will again bring to the mountains above Innsbruck on August 29th. The infamous Nordkette Singletrail will, again in 2015, pit the biggest names in the sport in a battle for the fastest time on the track. The defending champion Marcelo Gutierrez Villegas (COL), Mick Hannah from Australia, and Austria's most successful World Cup rider Markus Pekoll, are the top athletes in the sport on the entry list, all challenging each other, and all challenging the numerous ambitious local heroes, who have home-track advantage. They have to be sure to keep a close eye on Innsbruck local Benedikt Purner, who has already shown his ability to prevail against the strong contingent of World Cup riders on his home track.

Last year’s King of Crankworx, Marcelo Gutierrez Villegas, took the top spot on the podium; and in late August, the Colombian will try to defend his title on the infamous Nordkette Singletrail. This year though, the format has had a bit of a shuffle. After a shortened route last year, the riders this year will take on the full length of the course, and the excitement is high to see whether the unbeaten track record of Australian Sam Hill (9:21 minutes) can be broken.

Last year´s winner: Marcelo Gutierrez Villegas (COL)

The Australian professional downhiller, Wyn Masters, has his eyes set on victory; he also has a score to settle in the Nordkette Downhill.PRO open, after having to settle for second place twice. The battle for the fastest time and victory will be fierce, with additional competition from the best ‘urban’ downhill rider in the world, Filip "Polcster" Polc from Slovakia, the Australian Mick Hannah, and Markus Pekoll, Austria's most successful rider in the Downhill World Cup.

"Sik Mik" Hannah races down the Nordkette Singletrail during the Nordkette Downhill.PRO 2012

The best locals will also be out on the Nordkette Singletrail with a home-track advantage; the ability to dominate the world's elite was proven two years ago when Benedikt Purner was able to beat out the World Cup pros with a strong performance on his home turf. After his technical fault in last year’s race, he is wildly determined in 2015 to take back the title of the fastest downhiller on the Nordkette.

The fastest local - Benedikt Purner.

The other Austrian riders’ motivation for a top time on the track is particularly high, with the additional crowning of an Austrian downhill champion in this year's Raiffeisen Club Nordkette Downhill.PRO.

Markus Pekoll, Austria´s most successful WC rider.

The stage for the action-packed race is the infamous Nordkette Singletrail, high above the rooftops of Innsbruck, which rightly enjoys the reputation as one of the most challenging downhill trails in Europe. Following a shortened route last year, this year will again take on the full distance of 4.2 kilometres, 1,030 metres of elevation, and a slope extending upwards of 36 degrees. Despite some ‘safety precautions’, the trail is still steep, challenging, enormously exhausting, and tests the ability of all athletes in a ten minute long distance race with roots, benches, North-Shores, drops, and a spectacular road gap.

The Raiffeisen Club Nordkette Downhill.PRO brings professionals and amateurs together in the same race above the rooftops of the capital of Tyrol, and offers a unique blend of urban flair and mountain biking action. For the spectators, the legendary downhill race on the Nordkette is a very special experience: where else can you experience local bikers and the top World Cup downhill riders up-close-and-personal, and energetically cheer on your heroes?

Online registration for the race is open until August 25th at the following link: www.nordkette-downhill.at/registrierung/

All details about the race and registration can be found at www.nordkette-downhill.com

Timetable:

Friday, August 28, 2015:
8am-3pm: Racing bibs distributed at the race office at the Nordketten Bahn
1pm-5pm: Training on Nordkette Singletrack

Saturday, 29 August 2015:
9am-12pm: Training on Nordkette Singletrack
12:30pm: Nordkette Downhill.PRO – main race
3pm: Big Trial Show by Tom Öhler | Hungerburg Terrace
3:30pm: Award ceremony on the Hungerburg | Hungerburg Terrace