One fact in particular stands out at the eleventh Bike Days in Solothurn: visitors can expect the most comprehensive bike expo since the festival began. With 135 exhibitors and 340 brands, the exhibition has grown by 10 percent compared to the previous year. Around 400 test bikes make it possible for everyone to experience the object of desire. The head of the Velo-Expo, Nathalie Schneitter, also known as a former local heroine in the elite race of the Proffix Swiss Bike Cup, is delighted about the great deal of movement and development in the bike industry: "The record at the Velo-Expo represents the growing interest in bikes. In addition to the unmissable growth in the area of e-bikes and in particular e-mountainbikes - the frontrunner in sales growth in 2018 - we are observing a new trend at Velo-Expo: gravel bikes. Well-known mountain bike brands, which previously did not have racing bikes in their range, are now increasingly launching gravel bikes. A new market is clearly developing here."

Every type of bike can be experienced on the appropriately designed test track on and around the event site. Compared to previous years, more tourist destinations are also represented - for the first time, for example, Valais with the Valais Zone and the House of Valais, where raclette is also on offer in addition to cycling tours. In addition to bikes of all kinds, tourist destinations and tour operators, exhibitors will be presenting a wide range of accessories such as clothing, accessories and nutritional products.

E-mountain bike race for everyone

A different kind of test opportunity is offered in the e-mountain bike race on Saturday. The "Bosch eMTB Challenge supported by Trek" is touring six European countries for the first time: Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Scotland and Switzerland. Depending on their ambitions, those interested can register for one of the Advanced, Amateur or Explorer classes, with the latter focusing entirely on the fun factor, without timekeeping. The e-mountain bikers have around 30 kilometers and 700 meters of altitude to conquer. They will ride to various stages on the specified route. Each stage, a mixture of uphill and downhill sections, is ridden for a time. There is no timekeeping between the stages. The rider with the fastest overall time wins - whereby riding technique is just as important as fitness and clever battery management.

World's best cross-country athletes compete internationally

For those who prefer to indulge in mountain biking without an electric drive, the Proffix Swiss Bike Cup cross-country race is the place to be. Starting places for the races in the various fun categories for children born in 2003 or later and also for adults are available up to 30 minutes before the start. On Saturday, the race track belongs entirely to the professional categories. Some of the world's best athletes are expected to compete for the podium in the men's elite race at 4 pm: Nino Schurter, multiple world champion and athlete of the year. Lars Forster, reigning European champion and winner of the race of the same name in Buchs with Schurter in 9th place; New Zealander Sam Gaze, one of the few to beat Schurter in the 2018 racing season; and New Zealander Anton Cooper, ranked 6th in the world. In the women's elite race, a thrilling duel is expected between the well-known Swiss marathon and cross-country world champion Jolanda Neff and the reigning world champion Kate Courtney from the USA.

Jolanda Neff auctions off her competition bike

For fans of Jolanda Neff, a visit to the Bike Days could be doubly worthwhile: The exclusive Trek bike on which she is competing in this and the other races in the current racing season will be auctioned off during the Bike Days. The proceeds will go to #pumpforpeace - an initiative that brings pump tracks to disadvantaged areas and thus provides playful access to sport. This gives many children a new perspective and ensures sustainable development in the region. Care is taken to ensure long-term support for the kids on site, adapted to the needs of the respective area. The auction will be held on ricardo.ch with a starting amount of 1 Swiss franc and will start when the Bike Days doors open on Friday, May 10, 2019, at 4 p.m.

Lucas Huppert is looking forward to a home crowd

The BMX Flatland and MTB Dirtjump competitions will enchant the Bike Days audience with acrobatics and style as well as sporting performance. In the BMX Flatland Contest, you can look forward to superlative tricks with fast spins - including from last year's winner Matthias Dandois from France and his big rival from Spain, Vicky Gomez. The Battle of Nations show contest, in which the international BMX flatland scene competes to sounds and beats, attracts a wide range of emotions from the audience.

Not necessarily speed, but impressive stunts at lofty heights are on offer at the MTB Dirtjump Contest - the bike discipline in which athletes jump over jumps on dirt bikes. An international line-up of riders is guaranteed in the Freestyle Mountain Bike World Tour competition. The favorites to win are the American Nicholi Rogatkin, last year's winner and winner in 2015 and 2017 as well as the current number 1 on the FMB world rankings, and the Englishman Matt Jones, also a two-time winner in Solothurn in 2014 and 2016. 18-year-old Lucas Huppert from Niederwenigen, who has been competing at the Bike Days every year since 2015, could provide a surprise. "As a 10-year-old, I used to admire the big dudes at the Bike Days. Today I compete against them. It's an overwhelming feeling. What's more, I'm usually the only Swiss rider, as the competitions take place abroad. Riding as a local in the international field at the Bike Days in front of a Swiss audience, including many of my friends and acquaintances, is indescribable!" The Swiss rider is one of the youngest top international athletes and is currently ranked 15th in the world. For the Bike Days, he is hoping for a top five finish and, if all goes well, even a podium place. To this end, he has learned new tricks over the winter that he has not yet shown in any competition. He will probably be a crowd favorite anyway.

Free festival start with Öufi Cup and Riders Talk

The bike weekend gets off to a flying start on Friday at 7pm with the Öufi Cup and free entry for all. An exclusive starting field of celebrities, politicians and other individuals will race for fame and glory - and for disabled fellow human beings. The social partner of the Bike Days, Pro Infirmis, is committed to ensuring that disabled people can also take part in leisure activities and thus participate in society. The entry fees are donated to the Pro Infirmis Aargau-Solothurn sponsorship fund.

At 8.30 pm, professional athletes from a wide range of cycling disciplines will meet for the first time at the Bike Days, not in the saddle but on the sofa. SRF 3 producer and mountain bike expert Stefan Flury will be hosting the Riders Talk about sport, passion and commitment: reigning cross-country world champion Kate Courtney from the USA, BMX flatland legend Matthias Dandois from France, up-and-coming Swiss cross-country rookie and 2019 Cape Epic winner Lars Forster, dirt jump crack Matt Jones from England and Swiss TV and pump track expert and former downhiller Claudio Caluori.The range of participants in the three-day bike program for all active people is almost endless: Famigros running bike races for children from the age of two, various pump track races with attractive prizes and prize money, slow races, trial shows and workshops, the Springride bike parade, service courses by SportXX, e-mountain bike riding technique courses, tours and rides and the Bike Night for night owls.

On Saturday and Sunday, adults pay 14 Swiss francs for day admission and 20 Swiss francs for weekend admission. Adolescents up to the age of 16 pay 6 and 10 Swiss francs respectively. Children up to the age of 10 are admitted free of charge - as is everyone on Friday. Families (up to two adults and four children) receive reduced daily admission with the Famigros membership card.

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