MTB News: Similar to other popular event series like the Tough Mudder, all kinds of creative challenges await the participants of the new mountain bike race format Red Bull Radical. So it's no wonder that the premiere in the Oetelshofen quarry near Wuppertal also attracts mountain bike pros to the start. Perhaps the toughest obstacle race in Germany welcomes two real top-class off-road cycling athletes in October: cross-country junior world champion Laura Stigger and enduro legend René Wildhaber.
Mountain bikers looking for new challenges should not miss the Red Bull Radical. The new mountain bike racing format definitely demands a lot from the participants. Endurance, technique and a healthy dose of strong nerves are required. On the 25-kilometer course with a total of 600 meters in altitude, there are 22 obstacles to overcome, including rope climbs, truck tire pyramids and gravel pits. True to the motto "If you love your bike, you push it" it will certainly not be possible to complete all sections in the first attempt. The fact is: the participants should not allow themselves too much time, because the cut-off time of two hours will cause a lot of stress. With Laura Stigger and René Wildhaber, two mountain bike pros also face the challenges.
The only 19-year-old Laura Stigger from Innsbruck is the up-and-coming star in cross-country. The young athlete already has two cross-country junior world championship titles, four junior European championship titles and gold at the road cycling world championships in Innsbruck. When asked if the new race format would appeal to her, Laura says, "Definitely. I think it will be very exciting for the spectators but also for the drivers. It's far more than a normal cross-country race and will certainly generate enthusiasm. We do have obstacles such as rock gardens or steep uphills and downhills in our races, but of course what is on offer at Red Bull Radical goes far beyond that.”
Downhill legend and enduro racer René Wildhaber has been regularly at the starting lines of mountain bike races for more than 20 years. Whether cross country, uphill, dual slalom, downhill, city downhill, 4X, eliminator, enduro or megavalanche, the Swiss cult biker feels at home in any terrain. “I think that Red Bull Radical will be a new challenge for the participants, but it will also be a lot of fun and make the sport of mountain biking grow. And I'm always quick to get enthusiastic about events like this. I like attending premieres to get my finger on the pulse of the mountain bike scene and to get involved.” In the quarry, the 43-year-old says: "Just have fun, do my best and give myself completely to the race".
Registration for the Red Bull Radical in the Oetelshofen quarry is open. The participation fee including the starter bag is 49 euros. All mountain bikes with tread tires are allowed to take part in the race, and participants must be at least 18 years old.
Web: redbull.com/radical