Wednesday, September 05

The 2018 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Lenzerheide officially begin at 4.15 pm with the big opening ceremony in the "Cornèrcard Bike Arena" at the start and finish. However, the best athletes from each nation will probably already be at the warm-up, as shortly after the opening ceremony five riders from each country will be competing for the world championship title in the team relay. This relay race is particularly exciting, as the nations can choose their own starting order. A supposedly clear lead therefore does not mean victory, and it is not uncommon for young riders to be the deciding factor between victory and defeat.

But there is already something to see beforehand. The event area opens on Wednesday at 12.00 noon. At 3 p.m., the world championships for the youngest bike talents will start there - the "Steinböckli Laufrad WM". Incidentally, this takes place every day. The team relay award ceremony is not the end of the day. DJ Mistha Direct will be heating up the "Shimano Opening Party" at the same location from 7.30 pm.

The little ones make it big at the Steinböckli Laufrad WM

Thursday, September 06

Save some energy, because there's also something to celebrate on Thursday. But one thing at a time: The event area in the "Cornèrcard Bike Arena" opens at 10.00 a.m. and from then on, the latest generations of e-bike motors can once again be tested in the E-MTB Test Center presented by Shimano. The sporting highlight of the day will be the junior cross-country world championships starting at 2.00 pm and 4.30 pm. This is the next chance for the Swiss delegation to win a medal. That means come to Lenzerheide and cheer the boys and girls on loudly - the boss will understand!

The next item on the program is the Social Ride from 18.30 to 19.30 - a joint ride with professional athletes and bike personalities for the benefit of the social bike project #pumpforpeace. 100 percent of the entry fee for the Social Ride will go to this project. You can take part with a donation from 10.00 - or more, of course.

Don't go home yet, because the movie night at the Crest Ota mountain restaurant is coming up and with it one of the big highlights! The twins and enduro pros Anita and Carolin Gehrig have traveled to Iran with their bikes and, together with "Halsundbeinbruch Film", have brought home a unique film entitled "Free Ride Iran". This emotional work is a movie about courage, passion and mutual inspiration on two wheels and celebrates its big premiere at 21.00 - don't miss it! "North of Nightfall", a film from the freeride genre, will then celebrate its Swiss premiere.

Breathtaking not only because of the landscapes - the movie "Free Ride Iran".

Friday, September 07

Not excited enough for the upcoming races? The PC7 air show at 11.45 am will certainly get your pulse racing. Because immediately afterwards, the u23 ladies start their title race at 12.30 pm. With Alessandra Keller and Sina Frei, two Swiss title contenders will start the race. The starting signal for the men's u23 race will be given at 3.30 pm and here too, the Swiss have a good chance of coming away with a medal.

The winners will be honored afterwards. However, the celebrations will take place later, because the styling starts first! At 7.30 pm, the #fullgasMTB Whip Off Contest will take place in the Whip Off Arena on the Valbella Festwiese - a spectacle that is second to none. In this jump contest, participants try to maneuver their bikes through the air as crosswise as possible. At 9 p.m. at the same location, "Skafari" will give their live concert, followed by the "Whip Off Party" with DJ Louis de Fumer.

Don't miss the parties at the World Championships, but don't waste all your energy. The big party is on Sunday evening!

Saturday, September 08

Put on your thick sweater, because the chicken skin won't let you down on Saturday - the elite cross-country title races are coming up! At 12.30 pm, the women will set off on the 4.2-kilometer course, including the Swiss defending champion Jolanda Neff. At 3.30 pm, another Swiss defending champion will start the race: Nino Schurter will attempt to claim his seventh title. But this year his opponent's chances are better than ever. There are even title contenders from his own ranks with Lars Forster and Mathias Flückiger.

But no matter who wins, we'll be celebrating afterwards anyway: for example at the concert by Polly Duster from 20:00 to 21:00 and 21:30 to 22:30 or at the "XTR Champions' Party" with DJ Max Power and DJ OK afterwards. We recommend not missing out on anything, but partying hard!

With Jolanda Neff and Nino Schurter, Switzerland has two defending champions in the elite categories at the start.

Sunday, September 09

Hungover mood? Leave your pets at home, because Sunday is going to be crazy. The downhill competitions for juniors, women and men promise to be a breathtaking spectacle.
Admittedly, the Swiss have a small chance of winning a medal in both the juniors and women's events, so get out your chainsaws (without chains please) and trumpets and other noisy instruments and make the Swiss chances soar! By the way, with 17 athletes, the Swiss downhill delegation is bigger and stronger than ever before at the world championships - another reason to test your vocal chords for their performance at the side of the course.

Pro tip: Take Monday off and celebrate with the athletes at the "Shimano Champions' Party" with DJ Hans Guyver. This starts after the live concert by SLAM & HOWIE and the reserve men at 9.00 pm.

The downhill title races promise hot action and an incredible atmosphere at the side of the track.

But don't forget to queue for your tickets. So pre-order your tickets here for the 2018 World Championships now.

Full program
Event link