Video: iXS Dirt Masters Festival - Day One

It is the event that draws the most attention, that invites the best riders and that causes thousands of visitors to go hoarse. The iXS Dirt Masters has become the biggest Gravity Festival in Europe and it definitely deserves the title! In only four days, the festival provides its visitors with everything they could possibly wish for: Spectacular tricks at the Slopestyle contest and the TSG Cash for Tricks, killer-moves at the V+ Whip Offs, hard fights at the BikeUnit 4X Rumble or nerve-racking competitions in the forest at the iXS Downhill Cup. With such a wide range of events, there definitely should be enough action for everyone.


The most important basis for an event like this is of course the location. The Bikepark Winterberg is known to be the most popular one in Europe and is, therefore, the perfect match for the festival. It does not only offer enough space for the different events, but also attractive courses and a unique audience. These are the ideal ingredients for a sensational weekend.

Today, the iXS Dirt Masters 2014 opened its gates and the first results are already in the books. Due to the rather wet weather conditions, the riders of the iXS Rookies Cup started their weekend with a full mudbath. Despite the steady rainfall all day long, the six categories of the RDC proved some real skill in two timed runs.


Fastest rider of the day was Pol Marin (ESP - Giant Fox) with a time of 2:38.341 minutes in the Kids U15 category. The fastest time in the female categories was also set in the younger Girls category by Svenja Decker (GER).

However, the most impressive performance of the day was definitely achieved by Valentina Höll, who started in the U15 category but still finished faster than both the winners of the Girls and Women categories - again!


The importance of the unique series becomes clear, when we take a look at the start list: Out of an overall of 250 starters from 11 different nations, 70 riders were not even 15 years old. That proves how important it is to give the youngest ones a chance to prove their skills as soon as possible.

The first day of the festival was all about trainees and the youngest ones, but unfortunately it was also all about rain. But even these conditions were not a real obstacle to the general great atmosphere and the huge anticipation for the upcoming weekend. Tomorrow, the Rookies can lean back and relax along the track, when the riders of the Downhill Elite start their first training sessions for the German Downhill Cup. The start list definitely promises some high-class racing, sparkling eyes and a lot of cheering among the crowd. Huge European names like Florent Payet (FRA - Evil Vengeance Tour), Johannes Fischbach (GER - RRP Ghost) and Antonio Ferreiro (ESP - Evil Vengeance Tour) will compete with Stefan Garlicki (INVESTEC - Solid Bikes) and Sam Bull (Sportsnut DH Team) from South Africa and the brothers Ed (Team Bergamont Hayes) and Wyn Masters (Team Bulls) from New Zealand.


And also the Elite Women category has some promising names on offer: for example Morgan Charre (FRA - Evil Vengeance Tour), Danielle Beecroft (AUS - Green to Gold Race Development) and Casey Brown (CAN - Bergamont Hayes) - just to name a few of them.

The first day of the iXS Dirt Masters draws to an end and the riders, exhibitors and spectators take the chance to relax and gather some new energy for the rest of the weekend. Today, the bike park was still covered in mist and hidden under heavy clouds, but by tomorrow the sun will hopefully have won its fight just in time for the iXS Dirt Masters Slopestyle Contest and the V+ Whip Offs.

www.ixsdownhillcup.com