World Games of Mountainbiking Training Plan & Preparation
The MA 21 marathon distance is the entry point into the World Games of Mountainbiking and the only distance open to the Rookies category: across roughly 21 kilometres, a single compact climb of almost eight kilometres delivers nearly all of the course's 780 metres of ascent.
Course & Elevation
Like every marathon distance, the MA 21 starts together in the centre of Hinterglemm and runs as a loop through the Pinzgau grass mountains. After a few flat opening kilometres to warm up, the course's only real climb begins at kilometre 3: almost eight kilometres long, averaging about 8.5 per cent, it carries you to the loop's high point by kilometre 11.
From there the character flips. The remaining course runs mostly downhill back to the valley, broken only by short counter-climbs. The surface alternates between forest roads and easier MTB trails, fitting for the World Games' entry-level distance: demanding enough for a first race experience, without the technical extremes of the longer courses.
Pacing Strategy
The MA 21 is essentially a one-decision race: the climb between kilometre 3 and 11. Since it accounts for almost the entire elevation total of the loop, your pacing there determines the rest of the day. Anyone who gets swept along by the field at the start instead of riding their own tempo feels it right here.
Ride the climb evenly rather than overcooking the first steep metres, since the second half continues at a similar gradient. Once you crest it, the long descent back to the valley is where you can save matches and focus on clean, controlled riding rather than outright speed.
12-Week Preparation
Plan for one to two hours in the saddle on the MA 21, depending on your pace. The demand is clearly defined: one long, evenly steep climb followed by a mostly descending second half. This is not a race of constant surges but a single extended threshold effort.
Train sustained climbs of 20 to 40 minutes at a gradient around 8 per cent, since that is exactly the load that decides the MA 21. Riders who only practise short, punchy ramps underestimate the endurance component of this one long climb.
Add descending sessions on forest roads and easier trail terrain so you can ride the second half of the course relaxed and technically confident downhill, instead of losing time to over-cautious braking.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 3.5 | 7.6 km | 9.0% | 16.9% | +688m | Cat. 1 |
| KM 13.3 | 0.9 km | 3.7% | 12.1% | +34m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself — length and gradient — regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for 27. World Games of Mountainbiking dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Frequently asked questions
How should I prepare for World Games of Mountainbiking?
Preparation for World Games of Mountainbiking should account for 21 km, +780m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for World Games of Mountainbiking?
The pacing strategy for World Games of Mountainbiking should reflect 21 km, +780m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
How long is World Games of Mountainbiking?
World Games of Mountainbiking is 21 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does World Games of Mountainbiking have?
World Games of Mountainbiking has around +780m of elevation gain over 21 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
When does 27. World Games of Mountainbiking take place?
27. World Games of Mountainbiking takes place on September 12, 2026.
Where does 27. World Games of Mountainbiking take place?
27. World Games of Mountainbiking takes place in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria.