Mountain Bike world championships came to Salzburg’s Pinzgau

 Grossglockner alpine pass a cycling challenge of a lifetime?

The  2012 championships  were held  in Saalfelden - Leogang area of  Salzburg of Austria, just to the north of Zell am Se by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

This is the second time that this international competition will come to the Pinzgau region.  In 2008 the  alpine village of Kaprun hosted this prestigious  sporting event.

According to the areas tourism manager Peter Donabauer this recent announcement will bring new direction to the area: "The cross country track which will be constructed will not only serve for the world championships. In the coming years we could develop international training and teaching tracks."

Two existing routes in the Leogang Bike Park will be used for the championships.  In addition to the new cross country route a trial will be set up in Saalfelden town centre. The facilities will be tested in early summer next year in 2011.

The 2012 championships will take place between the 29th August and 9th September, and will cost an estimated 1.2 Million euros to host.

Salzburg Region for Cycling

 The Salzburg region is becoming a sporting Mecca  for cycling enthusiasts. At Wagrain there are state of the art mountain  track circuits to challenge cyclists of all abilities.  Similarily in Kaprun the mountain bike route has been recently extended from the village to the the top of the Maisikogel lift, from there the track continuous onto the Kitzsteinhorn first lift stage at 1976, a ride of over a 1000in altitude. For those who like a bigger challenge there is also the mighty Grossglockner pass for those who like a challenge, weather dependent it is normally open from May to October or November time.

In the Sallbach Hinterglemm and Leogang area  the winter ski area has been developed and enhanced to provide a top class mountain bike terrain. With  this announcement it is expected to be an enhancement to the whole area with plenty of scope for forest tracks to put on the map as part of an extended  cycling circuit.

For those who prefer to stick in the valley bottoms cycling the Tauern Cycle route is a possibility, it passes through the area, starting at the Krimml fall down to, Zell am See / Kaprun on to Salzburg and then on to Passau.

Tauern Cycle route Austria

With the opening of Tauern Spa Kaprun in November 2010,  it will be a further attraction to all visitors whether cycling or non - cycling.

If you are looking  for somewhere to stay in the Kaprun area  for 3-9 people? With the benefit of three bedrooms and three bath / shower rooms, and cycle storage facilities take a look at www.austria-holiday-apartment.com

 Austria holiday Apartment in Kaprun