The anticipation of the home World Championships in September is palpable, even in the Aletsch Arena, where the Swiss Enduro National Team completed an intensive training camp on potential World Championship trails at the weekend. Ten athletes from the Swiss Cycling squad spent two days on the trails in Bellwald and the Aletsch Arena. The routes that the athletes have to complete at the World Championships are only announced a few days before the competition. The national team therefore took advantage of the short journey and home advantage to spend an intensive weekend on the trails and collect as many trail kilometers as possible and get used to the region's terrain in advance. The two destinations of Bellwald and Aletsch Arena offer ideal conditions for World Championship preparation with alpine terrain and technically challenging trails.

On the second day, the national team met up with the next generation of mountain bikers on Bettmeralp. The Kids Flowtrail Race took place on the Wurzenbord Flowtrail, which is part of the Valais Championships for the U7 to U13 categories. Big meets small and the athletes of the national team rode the competition as a training session without having ridden the course beforehand. Diego Gempeler completed the course fastest in 1:34:04 overall. It should be noted that the participants in the race were able to inspect the course in advance and complete two test runs. Junior Noé Forlin from the national team completed the course fastest in 1:36:88. 

For the organizer Bikeschule Aletsch, which organizes the Kids Race, and the Aletsch Arena, this meeting was worth its weight in gold. Because it shows how closely top-class and popular sport, the promotion of young talent and the passion for mountain biking in Valais belong together.

A look into the future: new trail under construction

There is good news for all those who not only want to watch the Aletsch Arena, but will soon be pedalling themselves. The Blausee Trail, a new, beginner-friendly flow trail, is currently being built by the company Vast Trail. 

The 3.3-kilometre trail starts at the Blausee middle station of the Moosfluh gondola lift at 2,207 m above sea level and rides via the Greicheralp down to Riederalp (1,900 m above sea level). The trail is playful, creative and flowing. With smaller jumps, it is also ideal for less experienced riders. After just a quarter of the route, the Chüestall restaurant invites you to take a leisurely break.

Construction began on 26 May and the opening is planned for September 2025. Another reason that makes the Aletsch Arena a popular destination for mountain bikers.