Bike Days 2018: testing, racing and partying - for all it's worth

Spectacular competitions, the largest bike expo in Switzerland and numerous side events - that's the Bike Days. The national bike festival takes place from May 4 to 6 in Solothurn and celebrates its 10th anniversary in the baroque city. If you want to be there, you can win exclusive tickets here. Ride is giving away 10 tickets.

Test a new bike and get to know the people behind it, who develop the products and deal with them on a daily basis? Cheer on world-class athletes on fast cross-country laps in the jump trench or let your jaw drop at the dirt jump show? Or party hard at the parties on Friday and Saturday evening? The Bike Days 2018 will deliver, that much is already certain, as the organizer has carefully curated and developed the mix of event ingredients over the past few years.

The heart of the Bike Days is Switzerland's largest bike expo. Visitors can obtain information and advice from experts at the stands. The various bike models can be tested and compared free of charge on the signposted test tracks.

Cruising, riding trails, testing

With its three-day full-time program, the Bike Days will be able to inspire thousands of cycling enthusiasts of all generations for the tenth time. The baroque town of Solothurn in the heart of Switzerland provides the perfect setting for Switzerland's largest bike festival: the Springride cruises through the car-free town center, downhill, enduro and electric mountain bikers test the latest models on the trails of the Weissenstein, dirt jumpers jump in the Schanzengraben and BMX flatlanders dance in the Rythalle. The Chantierwiese and the gravel area around the Rythalle offer enough space for the big bike expo with 120 exhibitors and 250 brands. The Bike Days bike expo is known for its comprehensive range of bike models and products, which visitors can test and compare on site.

The latest products from global brands such as Scott, Giant, Shimano, Sram, Trek and Rocky Mountain are not the only ones on show. A whole series of small Swiss bike manufacturers have chosen the Bike Days stage to present their world firsts. Transalpes and Koba will be showing their first enduro bikes with carbon frames. At Bold, too, the suspension travel is getting longer and the first enduro prototypes with the typical Bold rear suspension integrated into the frame can be seen.

Absolute world elite at the UCI mountain bike race

In the C1 elite race of the PROFFIX Swiss Bike Cup in Solothurn, Olympic champion and six-time world champion Nino Schurter will face his most dangerous rivals worldwide in his home country: Maxime Marotte, Anton Cooper, Manuel Fumic and Samuel Gaze will be looking to challenge Schurter for victory. Local heroes Mathias Flückiger and Lukas Flückiger are also in the running in Solothurn.

In the elite women's race, thrilling duels are expected between marathon and cross-country world champion Jolanda Neff and Sina Frei, U23 world champion and winner of the U23 overall World Cup. International competition is expected, for example, from two-time world champion Irina Kalentjeva from Russia and Elisabeth Brandau from Germany.

Another highlight awaits on Sunday: The grand finale of the Dirtjump Contest as part of the Freestyle Mountain Bike World Tour with silver status. Every year, the prestigious competition attracts top riders from all over the world to show off their daring and creative jumps. This year, all eyes are likely to be on last year's winner, the current number one in the world rankings, Nicholi Rogatkin from America. The multiple winner in Solothurn, England's Matt Jones, who is back in fresh form after his injury break, could pose a particular threat to him.

Paaaarty!

A real party warm-up to sounds and beats is guaranteed at the show with the new Olympic discipline BMX Flatland: On their BMXs, the sports artists will surprise you with a mix of acrobatics and dance as they spin their circles full of creativity, elegance and skill. In addition, the DJ duo Pitchy & Scratchy transforms every tired bike leg into a dancing leg with a crazy show and self-produced remixes. And for those who prefer to chat about bikes over a drink, the Heidbar offers the perfect alpine hut charm with everything you need on your plate and in your glass until the early hours of the morning.

Off to Solthurn: we invite you

Not in the mood to pay admission? It's easy, just go to www.bikedays.ch and find out what the number of our ride stand is and take part in the prize draw for five times two day passes. The closing date for entries is May 2. No correspondence will be entered into about the prize draw. We look forward to your visit!