The Bike Days 2015 attracted an extraordinary record number of 27,500 visitors. This year, the Bike Days will take place from May 20 to 22, which is relatively late. According to the organizers, the reason for the late date is the spring holidays. In the coming years, the festival will once again take place at the beginning of May as usual.

Collision of dates - world elite in the big canton
The UCI MTB World Cup in the cross-country discipline will also be held in Albstadt, Germany, from May 20 to 22. The international men's and women's elite will compete there, testing their form and equipment for the Olympics - and not in the Solothurn ski jump trench as before.

The Swiss Bike Cup will also take place at the Bike Days: With a national, instead of the previous internationally oriented riding field, triggered by the unfortunate clash of dates. On Saturday, the Swiss Bike Cup in Solothurn will focus entirely on the junior categories, the amateurs/masters and the new U23 category. Finally, on Sunday, everyone gets to race: As in previous years, young and old, pleasure riders as well as ambitious amateur athletes without a racing license will be competing in the Sunday fun categories.

Bike expo and extensive testing opportunities
The Bike Expo at the Bike Days provides visitors with a comprehensive overview of the Swiss bike market. Numerous exhibitors will showcase the latest products and trends in the bike industry as well as the current tourism and leisure offerings for bikers in Switzerland and abroad. Over 250 models from a wide range of suppliers can be tested directly on site. Individual test tracks for cross-country, racing, downhill, fat and city bikes will be signposted.

For the first time: E-MTB short test track
The trend towards e-mountainbikes and the growing range will be a major topic for several exhibitors. In response to this, there will be a new E-MTB short course this year. The extra-short and varied test track will ride directly from the Test Village up to the historic city walls above the Schanzengraben, through the beautiful old town and back to the festival grounds.

Freestyle disciplines at top international level
In addition to the national Swiss Bike Cup, the international freestyle contests BMX Flatland and MTB Dirtjump will also captivate spectators. Both were upgraded last year, making them competitions with the highest international appeal and attracting the world's best athletes to Solothurn.

Solothurn once again kicks off the BMX Flatland World Circuit
Like last year, the BMX Flatland contest in Solothurn is part of the world tour: the so-called BMX Flatland World Circuit comprises a total of five stops from North America to Europe and Asia in 2016. This year, the Bike Days will once again kick off the tour. An international and high-caliber field of riders is expected and the three best riders in the world have already confirmed their participation: Last year's winner in Solothurn and 2015 World Champion, Viki Gomez (ESP), will be competing alongside other athletes against Yohei Uchino (JAP) and Matthias Dandois (FRA), both three-time World Circuit Champions.

MTB dirt jump with Swiss qualification
The freestyle discipline dirt jump is experiencing an upswing. The infrastructure is developing noticeably and more and more dirt jump facilities are being built. As a result, the next generation of Swiss riders is also developing and the Bike Days now want to promote this in particular. Therefore, for the first time in the history of the Bike Days MTB dirt jump contest, a Swiss qualifier will take place on Saturday. The best young Swiss rider will secure a starting place in the international contest of the FMB World Tour.

Culinary offerings and opportunities for everyone to join in
From this year, Migros is expanding its culinary offering with its own Famigros tent. Migros Catering and cha chà want to spoil visitors with delicacies from the grill and Asian creations from the wok. Together with the Rythalle and the Heidbar right next to it, it forms the heart of the festival site. In the Active Zone on the Chantierwiese, which was created last year, action-loving spectators can enjoy attractions such as the Trial Contest and hands-on activities for everyone, such as the pump track, slow race, mini drome, roller sprint and a jump airbag. Athletes can recover from the action and relax in the chill-out zone.

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