For Red Bull's new off-road event, two people always have to form a team. There are women's teams, men's teams and mixed teams. Of course, the teams must also be equipped with two gravel or cyclocross bikes. The key data for the start are therefore: 13 April 2024, Bremen racecourse, two gravel or cyclocross bikes and a team of two.
Festival of off-road sport
Red Bull promises a "festival of off-road sport" for amateur cyclists, cycling clubs and the bike community. Racing is twice as much fun when there is an audience on site to create a great atmosphere with shouts, bells and other noise. By the way, you can watch for free.
And so Red Bull calls for saddling up:
Get together as a team, saddle up your steel steeds and celebrate the end of the cyclocross season! - Red Bull saddle up
The Red Bull Aufsatteln competitions are all held on a 3.5 km circuit with gravel and cyclocross elements and a varying surface with gravel, grass and short, deeper sections.
The race format
We are already familiar with three-part race formats, for example from the Cycling-Esports World Championship, which has been held at Zwift in recent years, 2024 to 2026 MyWhoosh is the organiser. However, Red Bull Aufsatteln is aimed at amateur riders and takes place on the racecourse in Bremen and not virtually.
The tournament format includes three rounds: a team time trial, the main round and the mass start final.
- The team time trial: In the team time trial, a team is on the course together for one lap. The sum of the two individual times determines the starting position in the main round.
- The main round: In the main round, the three categories female, male and mixed start in three separate starting groups, the so-called heats. Only one member per team is on the track at any one time. Each team rides a total of six laps, three per team member. The 25 fastest teams in each category go through to the grand final.
- The mass start final: In the final, all three scoring categories take to the track at the same time. Each team has to complete six laps, changing after each lap. The team that crosses the finish line first in its category wins the premiere of Red Bull Aufsatteln - and also proves to be the best horse in the stable - after all, the tournament takes place on a racecourse.
Saddling up is for off-road fans
"Red Bull Aufsatteln is a race for everyone aged 18 and over - in other words, for everyone for whom the luck of the earth lies on the back of their off-road bike!" says the press release. Neither earned spurs nor racing experience are necessary. The only condition is that you should be able to ride your gravel bike or cyclocross bike with dropbar handlebars safely, as there are usually several people on the 3.5-kilometre route, which also offers a few technical challenges.
My own experience of taking part in various cyclocross races has taught me that a lot of things seem much worse and scarier beforehand than they are in the end. I always have the most respect for the mass start. But nothing has ever happened to me. And then the field spreads out. Of course, you should have some control of the bike, but you can also ride carefully and rarely get a nasty look for it.
Red Bull Aufsatteln promises the public a fun event with festival character. You don't have to register or pay to experience the unique atmosphere of the bike race at Bremen racecourse. There will also be food and drink stands. There will also be partners such as Rose Bikes, where the latest gravel bikes can be tested. Decathlon and Jeep are also partners of the event. The press release with the event information does not reveal whether test products will also be available there.
Saddling up
- When and where? Bremen racecourse,13 April 2024
- For whom? Off-road cycling event for everyone aged 18 and over - ideal for amateur cyclists and beginners in off-road racing.
- How? Exciting tournament format - riding in duos.
- What kind of teams? Scoring categories: Both female, both male or mixed.
- What is the route like? 3.5 km circuit with gravel and cyclocross elements on varying surfaces with gravel, grass and short, deeper sections.
- Where to register? redbull.com/saddle up
Red Bull Aufsatteln is part of the "FAHRRADja! 2024. Bremen bewegt Dich." initiative of the Bremen Economic Development Corporation, which is dedicated to the advantages and strengths of cycling in Bremen.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
