Ötztal Vertical Hunt is the result of an Adidas mountain bike survey in which mountain bikers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland were asked last year to describe their perfect MTB event. “This survey was not about waiting for the ultimate event idea to be served on a silver platter, but about retrieving information on what kind of event mountain bikers wish for, what matters to them and, above all, where the next Adidas MTB endurance event should take place,” says Axel Burkhardt, head of Olympic Sports, Cycling & Outdoor at Adidas Global Sports Marketing. „Vertical Hunt is the symbioses of the demands and wishes that we have pulled out of our poll.” The majority of the respondents were asking for multi-day events and short stage races that could be hosted on a weekend. Other topics on the wish list were a creative race format, a mix of several disciplines and scenically attractive routes. The creative race concept of Ötztal Vertical Hunt accounts for all these wishes. As the name already indicates, Vertical Hunt is a pursuit. With a prize purse of 15,000 Euros the three-day stage race is highly endowed and challenges the participants in four different disciplines: Hill Climb, Short Track, Marathon and XC Marathon. After the Hill Climb and the Short Track which both take place on Friday, all other disciplines will be started by the Gundersen-method, i.e. with the lead time of the previous competition. That way, it is guaranteed that the rider crossing the finish line first after the Marathon on Saturday or the XC Marathon on Sunday will also be heading the overall standings Ötztal Vertical Hunt presented by Adidas takes place between 21 and 24 August in the majestic Ötztal Mountains around the Austrian town of Sölden. Each stage starts or finishes in Sölden. The route leads across some of Ötztal’s most scenic mountain bike trails and comprises many permanent tracks like the famous Ötztal Trail. „This event emphasises everything that makes Ötztal as a mountain bike destination special,” says tourism director Oliver Schwarz. „A great diversity of landscape, high mountains, breathtaking panoramic views and mountain biking at high altitude. There is definitely no better way to explore the beauty of Ötztal.” On their way across the Ötztal, the participants have to climb about 7000 metres in just three days! Thus Ötztal Vertical Hunt is the ideal race for all mountain bikers who are up for a new challenge or seek a new season highlight without having to take a week off. (source: planet-talk)