This year's seventh annual edition of Bike the Rock will be held May 4-6 in Heubach, Germany. The cross-country race, often attended by elite racers, is part of the German Bundesliga series. The race is the second most important event in Germany, next to the Offenbach World Cup, and is one of only three Hors class category races worldwide.
Organisers have redesigned the cross country course per riders' suggestions and in consultation with the local forest management and meet the standards of environmental protection. The typical climb remains unchanged; however, an extra-loop has been added on top, giving the riders the chance to catch their breath before facing a completely new descent. "Technically more demanding" is how the course designers Ralf Tiede and Holger Krauss describe their handiwork. The drops will challenge even the best riders while also serving as crowd pleasers. The overall distance has been extended by approximately 500m, so that riders will tackle two to three laps less than in previous years.
