So, what is the e-MTB World Championship for everyone?
Whether you're a professional or just an enthusiastic recreational mountain e-biker, the open e-MTB World Championship can be for (almost) anyone.
Motivation for the race might be to push your athletic limits, compete against others from various countries (27 countries this year!), or simply to enjoy the competition atmosphere in beautiful landscapes on your e-MTB.
Video teaser:
E-Bike World Championship for Everyone 2024 (youtube.com)
As part of the event, guests and participants have the opportunity to discover and test the latest trends in e-bikes. There is also a vibrant side program, with a DJ spinning music, a host regularly on the mic, and much more.
I’ve decided to provide a more detailed overview of the entire event, which has been successfully organized by the World eBike Federation and the town of Ischgl in Tyrol since 2018.
**COMPETITION:**
It is divided into two parts: the "Jedermann" (for everyone) and the "ELITE" categories. The latter requires quite a bit of skill, as the course features challenging technical climbs and demanding downhill sections.
**The Jedermann or Everyone Race:**
The course is 30 kilometers long with 800 meters of elevation gain. Most of it takes place on cycling roads, but there are also climbs on forest trails, and if you're pushing full throttle, it can become quite challenging. There are many serious competitors, including professionals, but also plenty of complete amateurs. For instance, this year’s Elite category was won by a three-time Swiss cross-country MTB champion...
They are quite strict with the rules – and rightly so. Only standard eMTB bikes (Pedelecs) are allowed, with pedal assistance up to a maximum of 25 km/h and a maximum nominal power of 250 watts. In the ELITE category, there is an additional rule: the maximum torque of the e-bike motor is 90 Nm. All competitors must have their bikes checked on race day before the start.
The use of bikes with any additional electronic aids is prohibited, and non-compliance leads to disqualification. Upon crossing the finish line, you're checked again, and some riders are randomly inspected in more detail, especially the top ten finishers.
I registered for the ELITE race, but my brother was only a photographer this year, as health issues prevented him from competing.
On Friday, September 6th, we had the qualifiers, which took place on the IDALP ski slope (elevation 2,350m), which we reached by gondola. The course was short but included everything: technical climbs, descents through part of the bike park, and intense pedaling up and down. It was quite exhausting. I couldn’t believe that after just over 14 minutes, I crossed the finish line completely drained.
In the qualifiers, you can secure a better starting position. I performed well here, but unfortunately, I missed the rule that required me to pick up an additional race number in the evening. As a result, I had to start from the back in the main race.
Photo: Location of the ELITE qualifying race, 6.9.2024
ELITE RACE:
So, Saturday, September 7th arrived, and at 10 AM, the official start of the race: 37 kilometers and over 1,300 meters of elevation gain.
Due to my bad luck with the starting positions, I started behind around 150 riders, with another 100 or so behind me. After the starting gun, it’s hard to move forward in the crowd of so many cyclists of varying abilities – some are excellent at pedaling but get stopped by the first root-filled climb, while others are specialists in extreme climbs and descents.
I managed to make some progress until we hit a really steep forest climb, which could have been tackled if there had been enough space. But people got stuck, and because the path was narrow, we had to wait in line before finally pushing our bikes up.
Photo: Another competitor on a steep section
After that, we hit a great trail full of roots and rocks, a nice singletrack where the pace was fast. When we rejoined the forest road, those with more endurance got back in the game.
Overall, the course was well-designed and very interesting, with sections running through the bike park, complete with berms, jumps, wooden platforms, and stunning scenery. It was all just beautiful. However, there were two climbs I didn’t enjoy due to the congestion, where we had to wait.
The organizers should have started the race in intervals because over 200 bikers rushed up the hill at once. I ended up standing still for a total of 16 minutes during the race!
Where I could, I pushed hard, pedaling like crazy, but you can’t make up for lost time when you’re standing still, unlike the lucky ones who started at the front and got to ride smoothly. I managed to pass a few competitors on the technical downhill sections, but a few overtook me on the flats, as they had stronger legs.
When I crossed the finish line, it was an amazing feeling – a huge crowd, the announcer yelling into the microphone, just an overall top experience.
As soon as I got off my bike, my legs cramped up, despite drinking magnesium and hydration supplements during the race – but it also showed I hadn’t trained enough! My legs were so stiff and sore that I couldn’t even lie down, but eventually, the cramps eased. I saw others with the same issues. But all in all, it was an incredible, adrenaline-filled experience.
To give a bit of background about the whole trip – in case anyone finds it interesting – here’s how it went:
My brother and I signed up for the race back in the spring. Of course, we couldn’t wait for the date, and we set off for Ischgl, which is 645 km away, located right on the Swiss border, close to Liechtenstein and Germany.
The best route is through Austria, passing Villach and Salzburg, and then into Germany to circle the mountains. On the German side, there’s an interesting drive past the giant Chiemsee Lake, which has a surface area of 80 km² (for comparison, Lake Bled is 1.5 km²).
The route then leads back into Austria, into Tyrol, through Innsbruck, and to Ischgl, nestled tightly between the mountains. As soon as you enter the gorge from the highway, it’s obvious that the whole area is built around ski tourism. Most of the buildings are tourism-related and charmingly Alpine in design.
When you arrive in Ischgl, almost every building is either a hotel or guesthouse for tourists. Everything revolves around tourism, which the Austrians have perfected not only in winter but also in summer, offering everything from biking, zip-lining, thermal baths, incredible hiking trails, and more.
A little bit of everything!
View of the three-thousand-meter peaks above Ischgl
A walk through the “town,” essentially among hotels, shops, and restaurants, is very pleasant. Everything is geared towards sports activities, and as is typical in places like this, everyone greets you warmly.
You don’t experience that as much back home.
PRICES? They probably vary by season. For example, pizzas and burgers are between 15-20 euros, beer is 4-6 euros, and so on. It’s a top-tier location. Prices in stores are fairly normal, while hotels and accommodations vary depending on how much you’re willing to spend, from 70 euros per night for two people, with the upper limit depending on your budget.
Hotel after hotel...
As for the idea and organization of the EBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR EVERYONE, everything was at an impressive level. The organizer invited partners and exhibitors to set up booths at the expo, where there were plenty of eMTBs available for free test rides, as well as equipment, a large food tent, a central stage, and more.
My brother and I checked out the new products, talked with representatives from manufacturers, tested new models – and everything was top-notch. We were particularly impressed by Mustache, GasGas, and Simplon. Kamemo Bikes also looked interesting, although we didn’t test them.
On race day, the location was packed with e-bikers – about 1,400 competitors with e-bikes!
Spectators could watch the ELITE race live on a big screen in the finish arena, with footage shot along the course and by drones. Competitors from both races came from 27 countries, and the number of participants set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the most participants in an electric bicycle time trial!
After the race, there was an awards ceremony for the overall winners and the best in each category. I finished 22nd in my category, though it could have been much better if I had started in the front rows.
CONCLUSION
Overall, it was a fantastic experience, full of good vibes, positive energy, laughter, and new friendships. My brother and I often think about how and where we could organize a similar event back home. You need permits, a lot of funding and connections, and a huge amount of motivation to pull it off.
In Slovenia, there’s still a lot of skepticism or negativity toward e-MTB races, as if they’re only for 20-year-olds. But that’s not the case. These events can be great for socializing, meeting new people, exploring new places, and for those who want – pushing their limits. Anyone can participate and ride at their own pace. For 90% of people, the ranking doesn’t matter; but there will always be some who go all out – including me :) :)
There are some events in Slovenia where organizers try to include e-MTB riders in a special category. The organizators from Koroska region (Strojna Ascent, Stair Jump, etc.) are the most successful in terms of e-participants and MTB Slavnik, Enduro Golovec, and the Rogla Jump are also making efforts.
However, I find it odd that some MTB organizers state that the race is not for e-bikes. There are still a lot of issues here, like sometimes no prizes for the e-MTB category, the best e-MTB course time not being counted, and so on. Why not? In any case, e-MTB will never be in the same category as traditional cyclists, so there’s no reason not to include stats for the e-MTB category, which could be useful for the next year or for other purposes.
Will I do it again? DEFINITELY!
Branko & Iztok, eMTB Slovenia, September 2024
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