A long-term deal that guarantees off-road action in Austria’s largest bike region, Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, until 2030.
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports has today announced a five-year partnership (2025-2030) with Saalfelden Leogang - Salzburgerland, Austria. This marks the first long-term agreement of its kind between the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series promoter and a region, securing off-road action in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Austria’s largest bike region, through to 2030.
The Epic Bikepark in Leogang has been a cornerstone of the UCI World Cup circuit since it first hosted a Downhill round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in 2010. Over the decades, it has witnessed some of the sport’s most iconic moments in UCI World Cup rounds and UCI World Championships across Cross-country and Downhill and is a firm favourite amongst fans and riders alike.
This season, it is set to host a WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series round (June 5-8), bringing together three UCI World Cups (Cross-country, Downhill, and Enduro) in a four-day epic event that will be a highlight of the 2025 season.
Looking even further ahead, the 2028 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will be an exciting event to anticipate. From August 30 to September 3, 2028, Saalfelden Leogang will once again take center stage as the global hub for mountain bike disciplines.
UCI President, David Lappartient said:“Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland has been hosting UCI World Cup rounds for mountain bike since 2010. I am delighted by this five-year partnership with WBD Sports which will see them welcome the best mountain bike specialists in the world through until 2030. The region is also a leader when it comes to sustainability, and in 2023, Saalfelden Leogang became the third destination in Austria to be awarded the Austrian Eco-label for destinations. Their commitment to our sport, and to sustainability which is one of the UCI’s priorities, makes them a valuable and popular long-term host of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.”
Chris Ball, VP of Cycling Events at WBD Sports, said: “This partnership reflects our trust in Saalfelden Leogang - Salzburgerland as a long-term partner. Their expertise in event organization and the iconic location they offer make them an ideal venue for delivering top-tier mountain bike action. Hosting all specialties of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series this year is a testament to their exceptional standards in event management and quality.
“The five-year partnership also offers both WBD Sports and Saalfelden Leogang Salzburgerland stability, and the platform to work together to create even more iconic moments in mountain biking.”
Marco Pointner, CEO Saalfelden Leogang Touristik and local organiser of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Saalfelden Leogang said: "The long-term agreement through 2030 is a strong vote of confidence in Saalfelden Leogang’s status as a top destination for international mountain biking. Since 2010, we have been creating unforgettable UCI World Cup moments, and hosting a round of theWHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series that includes all three UCI World Cups as well as the 2028 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Austria’s largest bike region, Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, mark two more significant milestones in this success story. This long-term partnership allows us to further develop the event and the region with our partners ensuring world-class racing and unforgettable experiences for all".
The announcement was made in front of 400 guests, sponsors and local institutions at an event held during the region’s hosting of the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championship in Saalbach – again, highlighting Austria’s largest bike region’s credentials when it comes to organizing events attended by the world’s best athletes and competitions.
The event was attended by distinguished participants, including Valentina Höll, multiple UCI Downhill World Champion and UCI World Cup winner, who currently holds the Women’s Downhill overall title of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series; Martin Zauner, Minister of the Government of Salzburg; Leo Bauernberger, CEO of SalzburgerLand Tourismus; and Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, CEO of Austria Tourism. Also present were representatives from the host venue, including Kornel Grundner, CEO of Bikepark Leogang, Marco Pointner, CEO of Saalfelden Leogang Tourism and Manuel Hirner, CEO BBSH and Head of the UCI Enduro World Cup course in Saalbach Hinterglemm.
In addition to its hosting of the pinnacle of athletic performance, the region of Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn is renowned for its winter and summer sports offerings for amateurs and enthusiasts. From its 270km of ski slopes, to its 105km of mountain bike lines and trails, and world-class Bikepark Leogang, there are outdoor activities to be enjoyed in all seasons.
