30 years of Absolute Abfahrt – and Ilmenau has once again shown why this race deserves a very special place in the downhill calendar. With a mix of rain, sunshine, legendary sections of the course and a completely mad crowd, the anniversary weekend turned into a real celebration for the fans.

A wet start

The start of the anniversary weekend got off to a far from dry start. Whilst the track walk was still underway, with the team analysing the lines on the 1,500-metre course, the heavens opened. Heavy rain meant that proper training could not begin until the afternoon.

Yet it was precisely this rain that would turn out to be a real stroke of luck as the weekend progressed. The ground absorbed the moisture perfectly and developed plenty of grip over the weekend. On Friday, however, there wasn’t much sign of this yet: the root sections and the stone field in particular were slow and slippery. The track was set to become significantly faster over the coming days.

The tension is rising

Overnight, the course received another good soaking. Perfect for the riders, as on Saturday the track offered plenty of grip and was significantly faster. At the same time, Ilmenau was filling up more and more: there were already plenty of fans in the finish area and along the course, whilst the VPACE Kids Cup provided plenty of action from the next generation. At times, the entire ski slope was teeming with young downhill riders and their families.

Things got serious in the afternoon. The seeding run was the first opportunity to set fast times – and in the elite classes, the favourites were already clearly emerging. Hanna Blochberger (GER – Eberhardt Racing Unit) secured pole position in the Elite Women’s category, whilst Lino Neumann (GER – Scott Gravity Racing) once again demonstrated his strength in the Elite Men’s category, taking the lead by just under two seconds.

Sunday – Race Day

Sunday started off cool, but it soon heated up – and so the weather perfectly matched the atmosphere around the course. After all, the 30th anniversary of the Absoluten Abfahrt wasn’t just a race – it was a celebration. Fans, families and friends of the sport were everywhere, turning the race into a proper downhill festival.

The legendary fan bend, in particular, was packed to the rafters once again. As soon as a rider shot through the forest, the noise levels soared. Every rider received an extra dose of motivation there – and it is precisely this combination of proximity to the course and sheer enthusiasm that makes Ilmenau so special. There’s hardly any other race where the fans’ support is so immediate and wild.

A finale that gave you goosebumps

It remained a thrilling contest right up to the end. In the Elite Men’s race, Lino Neumann was forced to abandon his run early following a technical fault. Max Becker (GER – DH Talent Team), however, seized his chance and rode to victory with a strong performance. In the Elite Women’s category, Hanna Blochberger had to settle for second place this time – Karla Jörger (GER – DH Talent Team) was even faster on the day and secured victory. This meant that the iXS-sponsored DH Talent Team could once again celebrate some impressive successes. And then, of course, there was a proper party. The prize-giving ceremony turned the finish area into a real cauldron – with stage diving, jubilant riders and plenty of champagne showers.

30 years – and still going strong

The Absolute Abfahrt has made history countless times over the past three decades – and the anniversary weekend has certainly added another chapter to that story. Above all, however, this weekend showed what makes this place so special. A short but challenging course, a dedicated organiser, riders from all generations and fans who celebrate every single run. 30 years of the Absolute Abfahrt mean 30 years of passion for downhill cycling – and Ilmenau is far from finished.