Photo report Bike Festival Vienna 2026

31.03.26 16:42 252026-03-31T16:42:00+02:00Text: Pressetext, Erwin Haiden (translated by AI)Photos: Markus Fruehmann, Peter Provaznik, Christian FürthnerWhen icy wind and drizzle brought the bike community a little closer together, it was because of the Bike Festival Vienna. So that no one was cold this year, spectacular acts warmed up the crowd.31.03.26 16:42 482026-03-31T16:42:00+02:00

Photo report Bike Festival Vienna 2026

31.03.26 16:42 482026-03-31T16:42:00+02:00 Pressetext, Erwin Haiden (translated by AI) Markus Fruehmann, Peter Provaznik, Christian Fürthner

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translated by AI

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When icy wind and drizzle brought the bike community a little closer together, it was because of the Bike Festival Vienna. So that no one was cold this year, spectacular acts warmed up the crowd.31.03.26 16:42 482026-03-31T16:42:00+02:00

A cold northwest wind picks up at Vienna's Rathausplatz: You get off the subway or off your bike, pull your zipper up a little higher, look at the gray sky and briefly think to yourself: "Oh man... really?"
And five minutes later you're standing right in the middle of Bike Festival Vienna 2026 - and you remember again why you come here every year.

Because it's that special bike-festival factor: Even if sunburn isn't a danger this year, and instead drizzle shows up from time to time, there's an atmosphere you only find here. DJ Mosaken turns up the tunes, Andi Brewi on the mic, and up on the start tower the crème de la crème of the dirt scene.

The riders.
The girls.
The guys.
Fully focused.
Fully present.
And you too.
Even when spring takes a break, the Bike Festival Vienna atmosphere won't leave anyone cold

What stood out this year: the cycling scene has, above all, become broader. From a relaxed stroll through the expo to the flea market with some really fine vintage racers, to the e‑bike test course (for trying/reviewing e‑bikes), which was more crowded than ever — movement everywhere, conversations everywhere, that typical "Have you seen this yet?" All of this shows that demand remains unabated.

In between there were shows you couldn't just watch on the side: Gabriel Wibmer on the trial bike, Lorena Schneider in artistic cycling, BMX action from Cycling Austria, plus formats like the Vello Sub Cargo Challenge or the Brompton duel with an absurd 13‑second best time. And suddenly you realise: this is far more than just a trade fair or contest — it's a pretty complete cross‑section of the bike world.

But no matter how much is happening around it — sooner or later you're drawn back to where it gets serious: the dirt.

History was made at the Dirt this year

The wind tugs at the banners, the approach is wet, the setup laid out with carpets - anything but perfect conditions. Still, they deliver. And even more than that.

In the women's competition, Natalia Niedzwiecz lands a double backflip on her debut. Not a trick from the textbook, but a statement. A world premiere in competition, landed on the third try - and for a moment it is completely silent on site - before everything explodes. Behind her, Alma Wiggberg with a triple truckdriver and Johanna Nussbaumer with a backflip double barspin - tricks that just a few years ago would on their own have won the final. And right in the middle, 15-year-old Viennese Mia Salchenegger. Home turf, debut, backflip no-hander. That says it all.

In the men's contest then what many had been waiting for: an Austrian victory. Dorian Macher clocks a tailwhip double backflip in the rain - clean, controlled, despite conditions in which others would have long since ridden it safe. And immediately after him the next goosebump moment: Samy Louis Fernbach, also only 15, masters a triple backflip in front of the home crowd. Triple. Backflip. It takes everyone's breath away for a moment.

Triple. Backflip. oOo what the...
Samy Louis Fernbach, 15 years old

Diego Solans completes the podium with a Backflip Cliffhanger to Tailwhip, while Bernd Winkler and Pawel Stachak round out the top 5.

What perhaps sticks with you most: it wasn’t a fair-weather contest. It was one where, as a rider, you had to decide whether you were really going to go for it or not. And they went for it. All of them.

Top 5 placements at Dirt Battle Vienna 2026

Best Trick Women

	NAME	NAT	TRICK
1.	Niedzwiecz, Natalia	POL	Double Backflip
2.	Wiggberg, Alma	SWE	TrippleTruckdriver
3.	Nussbaumer, Johanna	GER	Backflip Double Barspin
4.	Salchenegger, Mia	AUT	Backflip No Hander
5.	Neuner, Michelle	SUI	Backflip

Best Trick Men

	NAME	NAT	TRICK
1.	Macher, Dorian	AUT	Tailwhip Double Backflip
2.	Fernbach, Samy Louis	AUT	Triple Backflip
3.	Solans, Diego	ESP	Backflip Cliffhanger to Tailwhip
4.	Winkler, Bernd	AUT	Double Backflip Cancan
5.	Stachak, Pawel	POL	Frontflip Triple Barspin

That's exactly what makes this festival special.

The weather can't be planned. But the people of Vienna and all visitors, as we know, aren't fair-weather bikers. By the time you're standing there at the festival, maybe shivering a little but with a grin on your face because someone above you is launching a double backflip into the Viennese sky, you'll know: it's perfect, just as it is.

And who knows, now and then it's even better than sunshine. But you should decide that for yourself — and, just to be on the safe side, pack the sunscreen for next year!