Release from 11.09.2023
Outstanding victories at the 24th World Games of Mountainbiking // Save the Date
Marathon World Champions
Once again this year, participants were able to choose from four different marathon distances. There were 21 km, 42 km, 58 km or 80 km to conquer, whereby the athletes could spontaneously decide in favour of a longer or shorter distance depending on their stamina and condition during the race.
The Austrian Sabine Sommer and the Finn Toni Tähti covered an incredible 80 km and 3,788 metres in altitude to win the discipline in 4:55:05h and 4:13:09h respectively. Bianca Somavilla, last year's winner of the Marathon 80, opted for the slightly shorter distance in the women's race this time and secured victory in the Marathon 58 category. Theresa Gassner (42km) and Manuela Hartl (21km) were also the fastest runners of the day in their respective distances. Noah Laschewski (58km), Kristoffer Østergaard Andersen (42km) and Günther Flatscher (21km) dominated the men's race.
Marathon distance with support
The World Games of Mountainbiking e-marathon took place for the second time this year. With 33 km and 1,450 metres of elevation gain, this was by no means an easy race for the participants. Jaqueline Mariacher secured victory in the women's race with a time of 1:10:15. Just a few seconds ahead of her, Thomas Widhalm won the men's category with a time of 1:10:07h.
Winners of the hearts
As every year, the real winners of the World Games of Mountainbiking were the participants in the Junior Trophy. When the little ones battle their way around the circuit through the centre of Hinterglemm on their bikes, you can see beaming faces all around them every year - be it the spectators, the young racers or the accompanying parents. Who knows what successes these youngsters will celebrate one day, as even two-time downhill world champion Vali Höll got her first taste of racing at the Junior Trophy in Saalbach Hinterglemm.
"At the 24th World Games of Mountainbiking, we once again had a great starting field, super weather and tremendous performances! All this in a fantastically beautiful setting in Saalbach Hinterglemm with worthy winners, who were of course celebrated extensively," says Wolfgang Breitfuß, Director of the Saalbach Hinterglemm Tourist Board.
Cycling for a good cause
As every year, this year too, cyclists pedalled hard for a good cause. Through sponsorships for competitors, with each kilometre cycled worth one euro, a donation of € 8,700 was collected this year. The sum will go to Debra - Help for Butterfly Children. We would like to thank all sponsors for their donations.
Save the Date!
Next year will be an anniversary - the 25th World Games of Mountainbiking in Saalbach Hinterglemm will take place from 6 to 8 September 2024.
The complete list of results can be found here: https://time2win.at/event/380/results
Further information at saalbach.com/worldgames