Over 25,000 visitors at the anniversary Bike Days

The tenth edition of the Bike Days in Solothurn is history: over 25,000 visitors experienced all facets of two wheels at Switzerland's largest bike festival. Top-class competitions with top riders in mountain bike cross country, BMX flatland and MTB dirt jump thrilled the audience. The anniversary edition was overshadowed by two serious accidents.

The Bike Days took place in Solothurn for the first time ten years ago. They have since become a fixed date in the calendar of every bike fan. "We are interested in crossover: when different types of bikes and different disciplines come together," says OC President Erwin Flury, explaining the idea behind the Bike Days. This means that the endurance discipline of cross country is combined with the racing bike discipline and the freestyle sports of BMX flatland and MTB dirt jump in a confined space. Both world-class athletes and amateur athletes take part in competitions and at the Expo. In Switzerland's largest market overview, visitors will find innovations from the industry. The broad spectrum of the cycling industry was covered by 120 exhibitors with 250 brands. Flury: "With the Bike Days, we want to offer a platform that provides the Swiss bike scene with a breeding ground for developments and services."

The anniversary edition was overshadowed by two serious accidents, one of which resulted in death. On Friday, a pedestrian disregarded the barrier during the Chasing Cancellara race, resulting in a collision between a racer and the pedestrian on the race course. The athlete sustained serious injuries. He is in an induced coma in intensive care, where his relatives say he is in the best of hands. An experienced mountain biker in the Master racing category crashed in the Proffix Swiss Bike Cup. He sustained serious injuries in the accident. He received immediate medical attention and was taken to hospital by rescue helicopter. He succumbed to his injuries there on Sunday morning. In consultation with family members, the races were held on Sunday. A minute's silence was held in memory of the deceased before the start of the adults at 3.30 pm on Bike Days Sunday. The award ceremonies afterwards were dispensed with.Swiss podium in the elite men

The Swiss triumphed in the elite men's race at the Proffix Swiss Bike Cup. Olympic champion and six-time world champion Nino Schurter, Mathias Flückiger and Reto Indergand took the first three places among themselves. "It was a very tactical race, but I was able to attack in the final laps," commented Schurter on the race. The women's race was won by the German Elisabeth Brandau ahead of the two Swiss riders Alessandra Keller and Ramona Forchini.

The new, innovative Bosch eMTB Challenge race format was more about having fun than trying to win. Skill, fitness and intelligent battery management were equally in demand. The eMTB race met with an extremely positive response from the participants, who included both retired amateur riders and former enduro pros. With the new challenge, the Bike Days set an example for e-mobility.

Next edition May 10 to 12, 2019

Next year, the Bike Days will take place again in Solothurn from May 10 to 12. "Experiencing and mastering the bike and choosing the right product are key elements of the event. Even in view of the sad events, it is important to us at the organization to convey and share the joy of cycling," comments Erwin Flury on the overall impression of the organizers.

www.bikedays.ch

(Source: Bike Days press release)