René Wildhaber en Mirjam Ruchti waren dit jaar de sterkste in de Red Bull Trailfox. De vierde editie van deze bijzondere wedstrijd werd van 23 tot en met 25 juni weer gehouden in Laax. Op het programma vier onderdelen waaronder het spectakelstuk voor de rijders zelf, de nighttrail. Maar naast de Trailfox werd dit jaar ook een Best Trick award gehouden, met als inzet een wildcard voor de Red Bull District Ride in Catania. Darren Pokoj was de beste, maar aangezien hij en de nummer twee, Andreu Lacondeguy, al van een plaatsje op Sicilië voorzien zijn, ging de wildcard naar de nummer drie, Lluis Lacondeguy.
Riders romping through the thicket
Approximately 300 mountain bikers get to ride and party at the Red Bull Trailfox in Flims Laax Falera. Four stages, one bike—it’s still the most important rule. A bikers’ get-together is the setting, with speedy downhill riding through the forest on the program. After four stages, this year’s victors are Mirjam Ruchti and René Wildhaber.

The worried looks among the bikers who registered too late for the Red Bull Trailfox in Flims Laax Falera and were now hoping that a starting place will open up is a familiar scene on the first day of the freeride rally. This year about 300 contenders took on the first of four stages.

The nocturnal classic
A bright light is necessary for anyone aiming to finish with a good time in “Stage 1”, because the Night Trail is always ridden in the dark. René Wildhaber has dominated this stretch for years and this wasn’t the first year that he finished with the best time. The fastest woman was Mirjam Ruchti, with Doro Lindtke right behind her.

The riders’ camp on the parking lot of the valley station in Laax is as much a part of the Red Bull Trailfox as integral helmets and massive suspension forks. What’s more, not only is there one bike workshop after another, the grills are lined up as well. The pros come to the Red Bull Trailfox to take an active break. For many others, the four-stage rally is the only competition they participate in, but therefore every year without fail.

Pedal power
Pedalling, lots of pedalling, is required on the Runca Trail, the second stage of the rally. An occasional complaint about it being too strenuous could be heard from downhill specialists, especially from those who decided on a heavy downhill bike for all of the four stages. But with a steady rhythm, the minor climbs were mastered—practically—without any loss in speed. René Wildhaber flew over roots and boulders, making him winner of the second stage as well. Mirjam Ruchti also collected her second victory as the winner of this stage, this time just ahead of Doro Lindtke.

Qualities of a different sort are required for “Stage 3”. The Slope Style on Saturday evening was primarily about the most spectacular line in the riders’ park. Backflips and gigantic jumps with 360° turns, freehand, freefoot, sometimes a landing without the bike—this all thrilled the spectators and riders alike. René Wildhaber, anything but a specialist in this category, described it as “loads of fun”. His original choice of line ridden through the course was so sensational that it earned him seventh place. In a class of his own was Australian Darren Pokoj, who in one single run demonstrated more tricks than most of all the other contestants together. Doro Lindtke won her first victory, after having taken second behind Mirjam Ruchti twice.

Rainy party and sunny final
For the first time ever, the traditional riders’ party on Saturday evening was held as an open-air on Caumasee in Flims. Hundreds of partygoers weren’t about to let the weather spoil their fun, for they even danced in the rain to the reggae sounds provided by the DJs.

By Sunday morning the sun was back. The downpour was actually good for the dry forest. The riders were feeling the effects of the last two days, which means that riding the Freeride Trail over the “padded” forest floor was just the right thing. The occasional passages studded with roots were enough to ensure that the tired bikers were wide awake, though. Mirjam Ruchti beat her competitor for the third time by a few seconds, earning her the grand title of the “Trailfox Lady”. Titleholder Ueli Guntli finished the last stage with the best time—in spite of a tire that was practically flat. “The first time this weekend without a fall,” he commented. René Wildhaber took no risks and placed second, making him the overall winner. “It’s great being able to ride for the whole weekend,” he exclaimed. “Now, it’s back to my brothers’ cows. And I still have to finish two carpentry jobs.” So, the “Trailfox” returns to the barn – that too is a part of the freeride rally, where so much is just a little different.

Ranking - Women’s Division
1. Miriam Ruchti, Sennhof (CH)
2. Doro Lindtke, Bonn (D)
3. Sarah Hänggi, Büren (CH)

Ranking – Men’s Division
1. René Wildhaber, Flumserberg (CH)
2. Axel Lehmkuhl, Düsseldorf (D)
3. Ueli Guntli, Mels (CH)

Ranking - Best Tricks Contest
1. Darren Pokoj (AUS)
2. Andreu Lacondeguy (ESP)
3. Lluis Lacondeguy (ESP)

Head judge Tarek Rassouli presented the wildcard enabling participation at the Red Bull District Ride in Sicily to Lluis Lacondeguy from Spain. He will be competing in the prestigious event in Catania from 15 to 16 July. You can find further information about this event at www.redbulldistrictride.com.