Introducing Red Bull Wide Open

Do we really need another race format? Will this see the return of the 26″ wheel specifically for this kind of event?

While it looks like a fantastic spectator sport, will it be popular enough for racers to dedicate themselves to this discipline?

The length seems to be a long enough to sort out the men from the boys. We are wondering if there will be enough rounds throughout the year to keep the excitement level at it’s highest.

Downhill, 4X and Freeride converge for a unique racing event in the Italian alps.

Downhill mountain bike racing is set to evolve this summer with the introduction of a new event that will challenge the best gravity-fuelled riders in the world – Red Bull Wide Open.

Taking place on July 11-13 in Bike Park Mottolino in Livigno, Italy, Red Bull Wide Open will mark the debut of a new competition format, Mountain Bike Supercross. The competition will see mountain bike riders race each other side-by-side in heats of six on a 500m supercross-style downhill course that will include 60’ gaps, 20’ berms, wall rides and technical rock waterfalls.

Bike athletes from the worlds of downhill, 4X and freeride will have to use all their talents to tackle terrain with unheard of levels of speed and air time in a bid to finish first.

Watch the video below and tell us what you think.

Confirmed competitors for Red Bull Wide Open include some of the world’s top downhill racers, 4X racers and freeride athletes:

Aaron Chase

Andreu Lacondeguy

Andrew Neethling

Bernardo Cruz

Cameron Zink

Greg Minnaar

Danny Hart

Darren Berrecloth

Filip Polc

Geoff Gulevich

Kyle Strait

Logan Bingelli

Martin Soderstrom

Marcelo Gutierrez

Mick Hannah

Nick Beer

Nico Vink

Sam Reynolds

Tomas Slavik

Yannick Granieri

More information at redbull here: