For the second time in a row, the Swiss Bike Festival in Solothurn had to close with lower visitor numbers: With 20,000 visitors, Bike Days 2017 is a good portion below the number of admissions counted in recent years: in 2016, for example, around 25,000 bike fans made their way to Solothurn in glorious, hot weather. In 2015, a record 27,500 visitors enjoyed three sunny days in the baroque city. (Number of Bike Days visitors in 2014: 23,700, 2013 and 2012: 23,000, 2011: 22,000, 2010: 17,500).

Urban Bike Festival better attended

This means that the Urban Bike Festival, which is also organized by the Bike Days organizers, is already in the fast lane after its second edition. At the beginning of April 2017, around 22,000 bike fans attended the Zurich Urban Bike Festival - in glorious summer weather

For the ninth edition in Solothurn, the Bike Days had to show what the event mix can do in the rain: Despite wet and windy conditions, the Velo-Expo and the test tracks were very busy, announced the organizer. OC President Erwin Flury is delighted: "This year has shown that the Bike Days also work in wet conditions. Our visitors and fans are waterproof." According to Bernhard Thomann, doctor in charge of operations at Docs GmbH, the three days went off without any major incidents or injuries.

Mud fight in the jump trench at the Proffix Swiss Bike Cup

Over 700 athletes competed in exciting duels at the Proffix Swiss Bike Cup over the weekend. Jolanda Neff secured first place in the elite women's race. With an overtaking maneuver on the last bend and a sprint to the finish, she relegated the current leader Sina Frei to second place. Lars Forster won the men's elite ahead of Mathias Flückiger. The top favorite Nino Schurter finished in fourth place behind Andri Frischknecht. Frischknecht thus takes the lead in the overall standings ahead of five-time world champion Julien Absalon. The latter had to end the race prematurely after technical problems.

MTB dirt jump - Rogatkin takes back victory

31 riders from eleven nations showed off their daredevil tricks in the jump trench this year. They jumped over drops, kickers and a quarter pipe and offered the spectators plenty of action. Due to the persistent rainfall, the MTB dirt jump final had to be canceled. The first run from the MTB dirt jump qualification on Saturday therefore counted for the final classification. Nicholi Rogatkin impressed with an action-packed run and took the win. Swiss rider Lucas Huppert finished in a good seventh place with a convincing run.

BMX Flatland - Outstanding Dandois

Despite the rainy weather, things got hot and heavy in the Rythalle. Ten flatlanders from seven nations performed incredibly complicated tricks in the BMX Flatland final. Three-time World Tour winner Matthias Dandois lived up to his role as favorite and dominated the final. The Frenchman impressed the five judges with his great variation, flawless run and, in particular, the high level of difficulty of his tricks. However, the trick "Suicide Bodyvarial to Halfpacker" was the decisive factor in his victory. Dandois had previously only performed this tough and absolutely demanding trick as a video trick and was now performing it in a contest for the first time. Japan's Minato Sato also caused a minor sensation. At just eleven years old, he competed against the world's best flatlanders. He didn't make it to Sunday's final, but was able to take home the coveted challenge cup in the Battle of Nations with the Pacific Crew on Saturday.

Nathalie Schneitter in the OC of the Bike Days 2018

The festival was a special experience for Nathalie Schneitter. The former professional mountain biker was new to the OC this year and experienced the three days from a completely new perspective: "Working behind the scenes at Bike Days was extremely exciting and intense, it was fun!" Schneitter will take over the Expo management in 2018 and will be involved in Bike Days 2018 as an OC member.

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