It’s a premiere for the FSA Bike Festival Riva del Garda – taking place from May 1 to 4, 2025, the 31st edition will host an eBike marathon for the very first time, kicking off the bike season in style. There’s innovation on the Bosch eMTB Challenge side too, with professionals now competing in a new category and a completely new route awaiting the participants. Registration is already open, as well as registration for the Junior Trophy and the guided tours.
Riva del Garda, March 3, 2025. The new eBike Marathon at the FSA Bike Festival Riva Del Garda 2025 will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, on the same day as the classic MTB Marathon. The start will be right in the centre of the picturesque old town of Riva. E-bikes with a maximum speed of 25 km/h can take part. In keeping with the festival's motto “Riding Freedom”, the format is non-competitive and it’s all about having fun and being able to experience the most famous competition of the Bike Festival Riva del Garda without feeling the pressure of ranking lists or elevation gain.
The route covers a distance of 48 kilometers with 1,700m elevation, combing elements from two of the Bike Marathon courses, the Ronda Piccola and the Ronda Grande. For a participation fee of €50, e-bikers will receive the same services as those completing the Bike Marathon, such as refreshment stations, medical care and a race package. The eBike Marathon starts on May 3 at 7:55 am. Registration is already open at https://www.bikefestivalriva.com/en/competitions/e-bike-marathon.
Bosch eMTB Challenge: a new Pro category and a new route
The Bosch eMTB Challenge offers a varied mix of uphill, downhill and orientation and is designed for riding with electric assistance – an exciting experience for all eMountain bikers, from hobby cyclists to occasional riders and professionals. For the first time, there are three categories to choose from. This year sees the addition of a new “Pro” category for professionals, with one extra stage compared to the “Advanced” route designed for experienced riders, i.e. seven in total. This additional stage is particularly challenging in terms of distance and elevation. The third category, “Amateur”, covers five stages of lower technical difficulty.
Three categories, one common point – the picturesque routes in the unique landscape of Lake Garda. After last year, a completely new route awaits the participants, offering some of the best views and trails in the Garda Trentino area. The route will only be announced at the start, on May 2 at 9:30 am.
Around 300 participants will compete for victory in fun conditions. The Bosch eMTB Challenge is not just about fitness and motor power, but about riding technique and orientation. May the most versatile eMTB riders win! Registration is already open at https://www.bikefestivalriva.com/en/competitions/emtb.
Junior Trophy: great fun for the kids!
The Junior Trophy offers children an opportunity to race mountain bikes in the footsteps of the pros. The focus is on ensuring a fun experience for all – every participant will be a winner, with their own personal finisher medal. The kids' race is open to anyone aged between 3 and 14 (born between 2021 and 2010). With over 400 young bikers, the Junior Trophy will be the kids’ sporting event of the year, who’ll be feeling like champions as they compete on the course in Parco Miralago. The races will take place on May 4 at 10:30 and 12:30. Registration is already open at https://www.bikefestivalriva.com/en/competitions/junior-trophy.
Guided tours: new MTB School & MTB Skill Park
The Bike Festival Riva del Garda will offer four guided tours a day starting from the Expo Area – perfect to discover Garda Trentino in the saddle.
First, there’s a new MTB School this year – a technical session in the brand new MTB Skill Park Busatte in Parco Busatte. This is suited to bikers of all levels looking to improve their trail riding technique.
Three more eMTB guided tours are available, all with different levels: the “Mega Marrocche” in Easy Level follows a relaxed route where riders can enjoy nature and have some fun riding. The Lago di Cavedine ascent is this tour’s highlight, with breathtaking views of the Sarca Valley.
The “San Pietro” Medium-Level Tour is designed for those who want to test themselves – but without reaching complete exhaustion. A breathtaking uphill on a gravel road and a dense forest will take them to the Rifugio San Pietro mountain hut, with unbeatable views over the north of Lake Garda.
And at the Advanced level, the motto is “Close to the Sky” – a challenging ride with plenty of velevation, pure adrenaline and some of the most spectacular panoramic spots on Lake Garda. The route leads along the legendary Ponale Trail to the deep blue Lake Ledro and on towards Bocca Fortini and Passo Nota. There, the next highlight awaits with the descent to Punta Larici, one of the most special viewpoints in the region. Registration: https://www.bikefestivalriva.com/en/program/guided-tours#/experiences.
