Especially as a new World Cup destination with high national and international interest and media presence, the OC management will do everything to impress fans and athletes with an attractive and exciting course, after all, Lenzerheide as a World Cup newcomer must also prove itself here. That's why the OC management has been looking for experienced course builders who will ensure a great course. One thing is certain: The Rothorn location is already a hit.
by Rolf Fleckenstein
Even those who don't know Lenzerheide will have no trouble finding the Rothorn valley station. The station is automatically approached on the main road, who drives from Chur to Lenzerheide. The modern gondola lift, which was built a few years ago, has been a hit since it was put into operation, and the comfortable 8-seater gondolas ensure that you are up the mountain in no time. Downhillers will have their fun, it is fast and offers enough space for the bikes. Also the route from the middle station Scharmoin across and sometimes steeply through the forest down to the Rothorn valley station promises great spectacle. The already existing downhill course "STRAIGHTLine" has already been put to the test at the iXS Downhillcup and is considered difficult. Over a length of 2,000 m, it overcomes 450 meters of altitude, for which the riders need about 3 - 3 1/2 minutes of riding time. It was still somewhat revised for the World Cup.
Cross country course is being rebuilt
The cross country course is yet to be built. The company Trailworks is responsible for the planning and realization of the race tracks. The planned course starts at the Rothorn valley station and runs over a length of 4,000 m in a circle from Lenzerheide to Valbella. In the process, it overcomes 180 meters in altitude. In conversation with Rafael Rhyner, I was able to learn what the route builders are paying attention to. "The goal in developing this route is to present the sport of biking as well as possible. That is, I want to present all facets of biking. This goes from technical root passages, stone fields (stony trails), jumps, steep wall curves, steep short climbs and longer climbs with individual technical elements to flow trail sections" expressed Rafael. When asked about spectator involvement, he said, "Spectators will be guided primarily along existing footpaths and gravel trails, and the goal here is also to give them as much insight into the course as possible." Rafael believes that the track will be very exciting and we are all the more excited to see it live at the beginning of July.
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