Video: Aaron Gwin Out of Race Mode in Leogang Bike Park

Jul 26, 2019 at 5:54
by SaalfeldenLeogang  

Press Release: Bikepark Leogang

Two new lines, a 5,000 m² Pumptrack and a new Gondola, for 2019, the Epic Bikepark Leogang has expanded their biking offer and made sure that there is something to enjoy for every mountain biker. A regular, and welcome guest of honor is Aaron Gwin. The American, who has 20 World Cup wins on his resume, has a soft spot for Saalfelden Leogang and spent some private time in Epic Bikepark Leogang after the World Cup. Check out his session right here: Aaron Gwin's Day Off

Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

Mountain bike fans can look forward to two brand-new lines in the bikepark, as well as two brand-new trails in the Saalfelden Leogang region and a 5,000 m2 pumptrack. With the new Steinberg Line by Fox and the Antonius Trail, Leogang’s trail network will be expanded by more than 11 kilometres / 7miles. The Steinberg Line by Fox is perfect for beginners and riders who are looking for some serious flow, while the Antonius Trail is more suitable for riders looking for technical singletrail features. Outside of the bike park, the region has also witnessed the addition of two new trails – the Schwarzleo Trail and the Forsthof Trail – two natural trails that were shaped by hand. Additionally, the new Steinbergbahn gondola will get everyone up the mountain faster, so they can get in more laps.

Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

Who better to test the suitability and shred vibes of the Epic Bikepark Leogang than Aaron Gwin? No other athlete has shaped the World Cup in Leogang as much as the five-time Overall World Cup winner. In 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2017, Gwin took the win in Leogang and finished second in 2018. But the 31-year-old also suffered some setbacks on the “Speedster” track. In 2012, his brakes malfunctioned, in 2014 a flat in the upper section led to a spectacular run on just his rim. In 2015, he snapped his chain coming out of the gate, but he didn’t let that stop him – taking the win even without his chain – a feat that is both legendary and remarkable. Following this year’s World Cup, the Leogang lover spent a few comfy days in his ‘living room’ in Epic Bikepark Leogang and spent some days shredding the different trails.

Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

The Saalfelden Leogang region and the Epic Bikepark Leogang wish Aaron a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on his bike riding Downhill tracks soon again. #staystrong
Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

Here's what Aaron Gwin had to say about the World Cup in Leogang, the Saalfelden Leogang region and the fun that he had at the shoot.

Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

bigquotesThe shoot was fun. It was really enjoyable for me because we got to ride a lot of different trails. But it was also hard work, especially when you’re riding downhill. You’re hiking back up after every shot. But it’s a lot of fun when you collaborate with guys that are good at what they do. When they have an eye for riding and they know the angles, it makes it pretty easy and you get the shots in a couple of takes. It was like that today, so I had a lot of fun. The backdrop in Leogang is amazing so I don’t think you can really take a bad photo here.

The tracks are awesome! We rode a couple of trails here that I’ve never ridden and they were a lot of fun all the way from the top. It’s cool to have a bike park like this with a huge variety of terrain. There a challenging wood sections and rock gardens as well as high-speed wallrides to get loose and convenient flow trails, too. This variety is what a good bike park is all about.

Leogang for me has always been a special place. To start with, the scenery here - Leogang is just a beautiful place. It’s somewhere I just love to come and to race and to ride. We always stay at the same hotel which offers great food and everyone treats us really well. It’s just a really good atmosphere. The fans are awesome. I’ve raced here for nine years and had some of the best races of my career here on this track, so the fans and I have a special connection, too. It feels like a home race each time I come here.

I’m really excited that the World Champs will be in Leogang. It would be amazing to win. Last time the World Championships were here in 2012 a mechanical took me out of the running. To become World Champion in Leogang is my big goal and it would certainly cap off a lot of great races here.

Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

Photo by Sebastian Sternemann

Further information about The Epic Bikepark Leogang can be found on: bikepark-leogang.com, instagram.com/BikeparkLeogang and facebook.com/BikeparkLeogang

All photos by Sebastian Sternemann

Author Info:
SaalfeldenLeogang avatar

Member since May 12, 2016
41 articles

69 Comments
  • 40 1
 I’m a musician and the sound of tires on dirt is still some of the best ‘music’ I’ve heard.

Heal up Gwin!
  • 97 6
 Oh FFS! Now even the Musicians are chiming in!! I guess I may as well too? I'm a Realtor®️, and that panoramic view couldn't be beat! Looks like several ideal building sites...
  • 22 3
 @mtbikemccoy: Im a custom furniture designer/maker and I think AG needs to pad out his new digs with total custom pieces!! ....we could use "clean lines" and find the "flow" of the house and spend alot of your "money"!!
(Did i do this right @mtbikemccoy?)
  • 68 0
 @scary1: I'm a Catholic and I definitely see a few places the pope could sht in the woods there...
  • 55 2
 Oh, this is the pun thread? I'm a geologist. I'll dig some up.

By the way, some of those rock gardens were definitely gneiss.
  • 3 2
 @mi-bike: I see what you did there, but the pun thread is up there ^.
  • 10 1
 @mtbikemccoy: Whoa...easy there. Slow day at the open-house?
  • 4 11
flag Riwajc (Jul 29, 2019 at 0:59) (Below Threshold)
 Strumming a few chords on the guitar and singing Drunken tunes to your cat doesn't make you a musician.
  • 3 0
 @mi-bike: orthoklas or plagioklas?

Ask for a friend
  • 5 0
 @BeatKeeper: I don't know man, but I am feeling some friction here! All I can say it's not my fault.
  • 2 0
 @mtbikemccoy: You are a Realtor now? :-D
  • 2 0
 @Riwajc: Sure it does.
  • 7 1
 @mtbikemccoy: Well, I'm a dentist and I think Gwin needs to upgrade some of his bike parts to ENVE level status.
  • 1 0
 @mtbikemccoy: lol
  • 1 0
 @mi-bike: nice one!
  • 24 0
 The only difference between his race mode and "non" race mode is that he puts some style in his riding that could slow him down a bit. And I admit it's quite cool to see him riding like that. It almost looks like he is a human being and not a robot from the future that came in the only goal of gWinning !
  • 5 0
 3 minutes gaps. Gwin on yeti steeziest ever. YouTube it
  • 2 0
 @applesauce42: you the man
  • 2 0
 @applesauce42: you can see gee wearing that balance bracelet hahaha
  • 1 0
 @mtbmaniatv: oh man, That's some stylish ride in his natural habitat !
Love to see the wildlife with daylight effects. Thanks god they skip the reproduction between the male rider and the female bike !
  • 1 0
 @mtbmaniatv: Where would the world be without you Ross 3
  • 1 0
 @norcalproductions:

Lol. Thinking Gwin has no style is where.
  • 18 3
 Sorry Leogang, but you can add as many top players to your videos as you want, but that doesn't make the park any better.
Honest recommendation from a very frequent park visitor across Europe, invest the money into trail maintenance instead!
If you come to Leogang the second weekend after season opening, the trails are already blown to pieces. Brake bumps all over the place. Entire trails are almost 100% filled with braking bumps and it is especially those blue trails that are aimed primarily at beginners and casual bikers, such as dads with their wifes and kids. They will shred their hands to pieces on the very first day and will never come back again!
I've been to Leogang multiple times in the past but I quit going two years ago because lack of trail maintenance for the price you pay for a day pass is just completely ridiculous. There are far better alternatives across Europe and also in Austria. It is quite sad really, because it is actually very close to where I live.
  • 5 0
 Sad but true. Those braking bumps should not develop and be left to themselves for the price you pay. Price for day skipass is similar but 10times more preparation and staff is needed. Rip-off the mtber, again.
  • 3 0
 @wildedge586: some uk bike parks that need to take notice to this.
  • 18 2
 Gwinnster could win a race on a chopper but I think he should just give a mullet bike a go when hes fixed. He just looks perched on that bike.
  • 5 0
 Agreed. Something just seems slightly awkward about his style on the 29 that wasn’t there on the smaller bikes. Mullet could be key for him.
  • 25 12
 as a fan I wish I saw Gwin more active with the Intense team I know he’s injured but he’s like the team owner I don’t see him helping the other guys on his team on line choices, track walk, media day, or anything like that just my opinion though.
  • 57 3
 Punctuation, man!!
  • 7 4
 nah, getting worse with this bike n team.
  • 10 4
 @mokydot: seems (!) like he is really sensitive bike wise. Wins everything on trek, completely off the pace on the demo, absolutely flying again on the tues only to struggle again on the intense.
  • 61 2
 Honestly you have no idea what he’s saying to his team mates during the five days he’s at a World Cup. For all you know niko mullali is waking up in the middle of the night to find gwin inches away from his face whispering that he’s found a new line.
  • 5 2
 @bonkywonky: Yeah, you have to wonder if he is not used to the suspension platform. Intense uses a VPP iteration, so it definitely has different riding characteristics than the Trek, Specialized, and YT suspension platforms.
  • 4 0
 @thenotoriousmic: the best comment
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Great comment.

@nlibot33: Like Gwin is also expected to fly back to Europe for Les Gets? The guy needs to see his doctors and physical therapists so he can be ready for Worlds. Who knows, he might show up to the Snowshoe WC race in West Virginia...

Btw, @thenotoriousmic that's quite possibly the most thorough butchering of Neko's name. lol
  • 5 0
 nicely chilled video, but my fingers are in pain just see those braking bumps totally everywhere..., also pay for it 50% more than in normal bikepark? pay for parking etcetc... idk... still lookin FWD to reopen SCHLADMING next year, hopefully with big gravity line that i heard from trailcrew...
  • 2 1
 dude did you ever ride Schladming ? Schladming braking bumps were something else Big Grin . Maybe try to learn how to set up you suspension. We are downhillers dude. And braking bumps are because "lame" riders are braking everywhere :-)
Anyway, you right...... please open Schladming again !!!!
  • 3 0
 Fun park, but the absolute worst brake bumps I've ever seen anywhere. Deep, on berms, on landings, even on takeoffs, just everywhere on all flow trails. The "new" Fox line is already littered and deep.
The neighboring Saalback region is better, has more variety, and is FREE if you stay local where most places give you a Joker Card that gives you access.
  • 5 0
 Pretty boring really! He makes it all look too easy. I like loose. He’s too clean. Too good......
  • 3 1
 Is it me or does Gwin ride very bow legged? Kinda surprised since he has a moto background. He's undeniably one of the fastest guys to throw his leg over a DH bike but I thought he'd have a bit more style and flow when he wasn't in pure race mode.
  • 2 0
 I thought he looked different here than any other bike or time I’ve seen him ride.
  • 4 0
 He needs to take some tips from Kade and Kaos to help him with those whips.
  • 2 0
 Right? He looks very stiff
  • 3 0
 Go watch his 3 minute gaps segment. He can throw down, but maybe only on 26” wheels lol.
  • 1 0
 @colincolin: I thought it was just me thinking that
  • 4 0
 I like how he checked to make sure his chain was on, even though we know he doesn't need it.
  • 3 0
 And sometimes I really think I'm not that slow on the same tracks...I should really rethink that Big Grin Big Grin !
  • 3 0
 wish there was more footage of gwin freeriding out there, his part in 3 minute gaps was amazing
  • 2 0
 Can’t wait for Gwin to start gwinning again, but it’s going to be hard to be on that pace after being out the whole season basically...best of luck!
  • 4 1
 Gwin's cruising is 10x my race mode
  • 2 0
 I wish I could get some recovery days too, have been riding injured the last 40 years, too bad i'm not a pro ;(
  • 2 1
 If there's anywhere for him to finally get the stripes...

Either way rad video! Smile
  • 2 1
 we may need Aaron to take a lap or 2 with Remy just to work on those whips...
  • 3 2
 Unfortunate headline though, considering his current situation...
  • 2 1
 gwinn at 6/10's is still quite a bit faster than my 11/10's
  • 2 1
 May as well have just watched one of his finals runs!
  • 2 1
 I casually send it too on my day off
  • 1 0
 That pre-turn at 1:20 before the 90* to bridge.. Love it
  • 2 1
 More please.
  • 2 1
 Very very cool video
  • 2 3
 wow that was terrible.
  • 2 4
 that's not race mode?
  • 16 0
 No, he had a chain on his bike in this video. Doesn’t use one while racing.
  • 4 0
 his “not race” mode is my “in your dreams” mode Big Grin
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