iXS Trail Stories: Building the Base – iXS Downhill Cup Ilmenau

We all love the excitement of the Downhill Mountain bike World Cup. But competing at the top requires a strong foundation – and this are local races like the iXS Downhill Cup. Here the stars of tomorrow are born and here every biker can compete with his buddies and other like-minded racer. In the latest episode of iXS Trail Stories, we therefore look behind the scenes of the legendary iXS Downhill Cup race in Ilmenau. We took a look behind the scene of the whole event, spoke with Nina Hoffmann about her roots in the Cup and captured the action we all love – pure racing and wild fans. Enjoy the latest episode of iXS Trail Stories.

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So, 3.2.1. The iXS Cup   is really realy really awesome! Hold on, what is Bryn saying? The iXS Cup is really really really awesome! Ok now we got it: But   why is it like that? is it the raw action? Or the  fans? The luxury hotels? Or the delicious food?

The concpet of downhill is simple: One Track, one   clock, one rider – Fastest to the bottom wins. Sorry Bryn, maybe next time What ever it is, it all begins way before the  clock starts ticking and that’s why we are here today.

So lets put on our best pair of hiking boots,  grab a cup of tea and let Uwe host this show. This is Illmenau,   absolute Abfahrt, 25 year old race. For germany,  this is the heart of downhill racing. And downhill   racing was stabilized by iXS. 

True that, but let me expain what that  means. Back in the days after each race   season riders didn’t know if their is place  to compete anymore. Then iXS stepped in and   sponsored the cup ever since. But they  aren’t organizing the races without help. There is a company in the back called racement  

And we will Wutzi explain what they are doing. Racement as a company provides professional  sports timing and event solutions for downhill   cup races. And there are even more people involved. Every  track gets built and taped by local clubs and   volunteers. Wonder why they are doing it?

We’re doing this as a club, because we  want to and downhill is really awesome. Ok, lets get back to racement These guys work when others race. And they   work a lot on weekends. They have organized over  250 races already, all following the same routine. Built everything up, trackwalk,  

Training, real training, qualis, and the race. all that to prodive a professional enviroment to compete Ok, but seriously. One rider who started  her career in the series is Nina Hoffmann. Actually Ilmenau 2015 has been my  

Second race here and its pretty sick, to have that  many races in the area where you can built on,   built your abilities and get better and step up in  the european cup and then at some point step up to   the world cup so, what I did.

Nina is one serious competitor. That said, a  lot of riders show up just to have some fun. It’s great that even tough we are   competitors on track, at the pits we are friends  and help each other out. And I think that’s what   makes it very special and unique.

Moni speaks bavarian and what she says is that  community and friendship is what makes those   races so special Those guys ars still trying to fit the tire. And thats pretty much it,  but whats the bigger picture? Nina could you explain, what would downhill   racing be without the iXS downhill cup?

If we would not have these races, there would be  no pro and good racers so we definietly need the   base to build the peak. Bryn back to you, any famous last words? 3.2.1. Awesome racing, great  organisation and wicked trails. Cool …