Source: press release
Concluded the great annual happening of bikers in Riva del Garda: the success of pedal assisted bikes confirms the innovative vocation of the event
Photo: Thousands of people participated in the Open Night of the Bike Festival, sharing the charm and free spirit of Mountain Bike among the stands of the Expo in Riva del Garda (Photo Henning Angerer) - Free use allowed with mention of credits - Click on image to download in high resolution
Despite the leaden sky of the last day, the 2016 Bike Festival closed its doors to the full satisfaction of the organizers and thousands of visitors who again this year did not want to miss the opening of the season for MTB enthusiasts. Now in its 23rd edition, the Bike Festival is now a consolidated reality and an appointment of primary importance in the tourist season of Garda Trentino.
This year's edition featured pedal assisted bikes, a rapidly growing phenomenon especially in off-roading. For the first time, a Marathon reserved for e-MTBs was held on a specially designed track of over 40 km where the participants proved to be athletically prepared, considering the total 1500 meters of altitude difference and some gradients of more than 15%. Despite the electric support, e-bikers had to pedal with their own strength in order not to run the risk of running out of batteries ahead of time.
The new competition, supported by large companies such as Bosch and Trek, and the increased presence of electric bikes in the stands have definitively confirmed that Riva del Garda has opened a new path. The project of an event placed at the beginning of October and dedicated exclusively to e-bikes demonstrates that thanks to the Bike Festival a new segment of the cycling market is taking shape, significantly expanding the base of potential practitioners.
However, the Bike Festival has certainly not spared space and opportunities for traditional mountain bikes. The last day renewed the nice tradition of the Junior Trophy dedicated to children, while from the point of view of pure competition 300 participants gave life to the North Lake Enduro on the new tracks designed in the Garda Trentino Bike Park, five stages with 1.400 meters of difference in height, starting from Brentonico, continuing for Monte Altissimo up to the finish line set at Busatte, just above Torbole sul Garda.
Strengthened by the success of the 2016 edition, the Riva del Garda Bike Festival gives an appointment to enthusiasts next year, again on the weekend of May 1st.
