The first ever Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour is set to take off later today in Vienna, Austria with the kick off of the fifth anniversary Vienna Air King competition. The Air King is set to take place April 10th through 11th with over 60 riders from 14 countries including Canada, USA, Russia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic!
The action is set to take place directly in front of the Viennese City Hall, with construction of the jumps and stunts headed by last years dirt designer Andi Brewi. Andi has helped to ensure the riders will lay it all out by building everything slightly bigger than last year and including a quarter pipe as the last hit of the line. Then add in 10,000 euros in prize money plus 3 Panasonic Cameras for the top free riders, and you are sure to get some of the best riding around.
The lineup is fairly stacked with the most recognizable to most being Jamie Goldman and Darren Barrecloth.
Hit more to see the full line up, with more pics!
Confirmed riders so far include:
- Niki Leitner (AUT)
- Darren Berrecloth (CAN)
- Graham Aggassiz (CAN)
- Jakub Vencl (CZE)
- Jan Todt (CZE)
- Tomas Zjeda (CZE)
- Andi Wittmann (GER)
- Benny Korthaus (GER)
- Simon Kirchmann (GER)
- Kelly McGarry (NZL)
- Bartek Obukovicz (POL)
- Mischa Breitenstein (SUI)
- Linus Sjöholm (SWE)
- Martin Söderstöm (SWE)
- Grant Fielder (GBR)
- Sam Pilgrim (GBR)
- Jamie Goldman (USA)
With this being the first competition in the World Freeride Mounatin Bike Tour, it has the honor of starting the first true freeride world series with a 20,000 Euro cash purse. The event will be broken into four categories which are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond level events with diamond level being the highest event level. This category is based on many things including depth of field, course set up, level of judging, amount of prize money, and other criteria.
Events as follows:
Vienna Air King
Vienna (AUT), April 10-11th (SILVER EVENT)
FISE Slopestyle
Montpellier (FRA), May 13-16th (SILVER EVENT)
Mongoose Slopestyle at IXS Dirt Masters
Winterberg (GER), May 21st-23rd (BRONZE EVENT)
Austrian King of Dirt
Linz (AUT), May 28-29th (BRONZE EVENT)
Teva Mountain Games Slopestyle
Vail, Colorado (USA), June 3-6th (SILVER EVENT)
26TRIX at the Out of Bound Festival
Leogang (AUT), June 24-26th (GOLD EVENT)
Chatel Mountain Style
Chatel (FRA), July 2nd-4th (GOLD EVENT)
Goatstyle
Creston, BC (CAN), July 9-11th (SILVER EVENT)
Air Strike at the Freeride Festival Saalbach Hinterglemm
Saalbach (AUT), July 9-11th (BRONZE EVENT)
MBUK BikeRadar Live Invitational Dirt Jump Contest
Kent (GBR), July 10-11th (SILVER EVENT)
Claymore Challenge
Highland Mt. Park (USA), July 15-17th (GOLD EVENT)
BIG IN BAVARIA at the BIKE EXPO Tradeshow
Munich (GER), July 22nd-25th (GOLD EVENT)
Crankworx Colorado Slopestyle
Winter Park (USA), July 29th-August 1st (GOLD EVENT)
Monster Energy Slopestyle at the Kokanee Crankworx
Whistler (CAN), August 7-15th (DIAMOND EVENT)
Red Bull Rampage
Virgin, Utah (USA), Sept. 30th-Oct. 3rd (DIAMOND EVENT)
