The fifth anniversary of the Vienna Air King on 10/11 April welcomes over 60 riders from 14 countries for the first event of the new Freeride Mountain Bike (FMB) World Tour 2010.

Riders from Canada, USA, Russia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic will hit the dirt jumps right in front of the Viennese city hall for their chance to claim the prize money.

Not only well known riders like the former Vienna Air King winners Benny Korthaus (2007, Germany), Sam Pilgrim (2008, UK), Martin Soderstrom (2009, Schweden) or freeride stars like Jamie Goldman (USA) and Darren Bearclaw (Canada) are on their way to Austria’s capital. Also a whole bunch of promising young talents like Pavel Aloykhin from Russia will be among the top riders:

Niki Leitner (AUT)
Darren Berrecloth (CAN)
Graham Aggassiz (CAN)
Jakub Vencl (CZE)
Jan Todt (CZE)
Tomas Zjeda (CZE)
Andi Wittmann (GER)
Benny Korthaus (GER)
Simon Kirchmann (GER)
Kelly McGarry (NZL)
Bartek Obukovicz (POL)
Mischa Breitenstein (SUI)
Linus Sjöholm (SWE)
Martin Söderstöm (SWE)
Grant Fielder (GBR)
Sam Pilgrim (GBR)
Jamie Goldman (USA)

Head of course construction, Andi Brewi, who also built last years’ dirt lines, modified the course for 2010: “The starting tower is nearly 2m (6ft) higher, as well as the following dirt landing is built much bigger to create a perfect step down that can also be bombed with tricks.

“Due to the step down at the start, you will be fast enough for the following 6-pack. These three jumps feature complete new wooden take offs that are bigger sized than the years before and have a super smooth transition. These are combined with dirt landings, as well as a quarter-pipe at the very end of the course that gives all riders the chance to proof their park skills.”

The Vienna Air king is the perfect kick-off for the bike season 2010 and the first Tour stop of the FMB World Tour. On 10/11 April the Argus Bike Festival will attract more than 100,000 visitors to enjoy the bike exhibition and a great variety during the two days program. If you can’t make your way to Vienna, feel free to follow the live stream of the Finals on Sunday from 2:30 pm (CET) on www.watch26.tv/live.