The Bike Days organizers can look back on an extremely successful weekend without any incidents. 27,500 visitors attended the seventh edition of Bike Days in Solothurn (number of Bike Days visitors: 2014 23,700, 2013 and 2012: 23,000, 2011: 22,000, 2010: 17,500).

An extremely pleasing record, which is surprising but not inexplicable: "In addition to the beautiful weather and the various market innovations at Veloexpo, the various innovations in the supporting program had the desired effect. The MTB Dirtjump as the Silver Event of the FMB World Tour and the BMX Flatland contest as the prelude to the BMX Flatland World Circuit were upgraded. Both are competitions with a high international profile and attract the world's best athletes," Erwin Flury sums up. He is also delighted with the positive and relaxed atmosphere among the spectators. "The newly created Active Zone, where visitors who enjoy exercise can let off steam, has certainly played its part," says Flury.

Nicholi Rogatkin wins MTB dirt jump
32 riders from twelve different nations competed in this year's MTB-Dirtjump. Ten qualified for the final on Saturday. Newcomer Nicholi Rogatkin from the USA emerged from the qualifiers as the favorite. With a very good second run, he won the final ahead of last year's winner Matt Jones (UK) and Szymon Godziek (POL). It was Rogatkin's first time in Solothurn and he was delighted with the Velofestival: "I had three fantastic days here. The festival is incredible fun and it's great to have so many interested people here."

Viki Gomez is delighted with second victory in Solothurn
The BMX Flatland contest marked the start of the BMX Flatland World Circuit. Ten riders offered the enthusiastic audience flatland art at the highest level. Spaniard Viki Gomez impressed both the audience and the jury and, following his second place last year, took his second victory this year after 2012. Second place went to Japan's Sasaki Moto and third to France's Matthias Dandois.
Despite the bright sunshine, the stands in the Solothurn Rythalle were full to bursting, the enthusiastic crowd went wild and cheered on their favorites.

Neff and Schurter win BMC Racing Cup
Due to the late start of the Cross-Country World Cup, which is still two weeks away, the third stop of the BMC Racing Cup on Saturday afternoon was eagerly awaited. The current world number one Jolanda Neff (Thal/SG) won for the first time in Solothurn, despite having to contend with considerable technical problems: "My saddle broke on the very first lap and I was unable to change gear during the last two laps. The gear ratio was too big on the climbs and far too small on the flat." Esther Süss' (Küttigen/AG) winning streak of five uninterrupted victories thus came to an end.
In the men's race, Nino Schurter (Chur/GR) took his sixth victory in Solothurn. Everything went well for Nino Schurter on Saturday: "I had feared that Julien and Lukas would come from behind. But I had very good legs and it worked out very well once again." The current world number one, Julien Absalon (FRA), once again had to settle for second place.

Bike news from Bold and BMC attract visitors
130 exhibitors offered visitors bike models, accessories and individual parts from 275 different brands. Among them were 20 market firsts. Both Bold and BMC used the Bike Days to present a new bike. The new Swiss brand Bold provided information in advance about its new "Linkin Trail" bike, which has its damping elements invisibly integrated inside the frame. The media attention was huge, which had a noticeable effect on interest in the Bike Days. "People came from all over to find out about our bike and, of course, to test ride it. We are very satisfied with the three days," says Vincenz Droux, Product Manager at Bold.

BMC, on the other hand, only announced in advance that they would be presenting a bike, but did not yet reveal what the new product would be. "The strategy worked out well. We made people curious and the interest was huge," says Patrick Zuberbühler, Marketing Manager at BMC, drawing a positive balance. Under the name Micro Travel Technology (MTT), the new BMC Teamelite 01 offers an innovative solution for rear triangle compliance on hardtail bikes. With this new system, cross-country racers finally no longer have to resort to the common practice of lowering the tire pressure for more compliance.

Bike Lovers Contest: Jury chooses winners
The first prize went to Francesco Russo's "Mettastretto" recumbent bike, which has been radically optimized for speed. Russ wants to use the bike to increase his own hourly world record to 95 kilometers in one hour. To achieve this, he has rigorously trimmed the bike for speed. In doing so, he has questioned all standards: he rides backwards, has even built in an air supply concept for breathing and has minimized the entire hull to his body mass with millimetre precision.

Jürg Birkenstock's semi-tracked recumbent bike was awarded second prize. With the "Comet RT", anyone can indulge in the thrill of silent speed. The bike even allows you to take luggage with you for an extended tour. The jury was impressed by the high quality craftsmanship of the carbon parts, the many beautiful details and the exciting solutions for the central three-speed gearshift, integrated cable routing and the aerodynamic rear-view mirror. Rumour has it that Birkenstock is considering optimizing its vehicle with a small electric motor.

Third place went to Mathias Scherers with his Titan racing bike. Perfect finish, consistent equipment and elaborate lettering result in a coherent overall appearance. The frame weight of just over 1000 grams demonstrates the high quality of craftsmanship and underlines the bike's claim to speed. With the "Mathias", he has built a bike for himself and will now concentrate on building custom frames for customers again.

The next Bike Days will take place in Solothurn from May 20 to 22, 2016.

www.bikedays.ch

Source: Final communiqué Bike Days