iXS Dirt Masters Festival returns for 2010

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The 2010 iXS Dirt Masters Festival, Europe's largest mountain bike freeride festival, will take place on May 21-24. Preparations for the fourth edition are well underway. The focus ofthe festival is three events that in recent years have joined together: the iXS German Downhill Cup, the Scott 4X Challenge and the Mongoose slopestyle contest. In addition, 2010 will feature an iXS Rookies Cup and for the first time, an enduro race open to everyone.

More than 30,000 specators and 1,400 participants from 20 nations attended this year's event at the Bike Park Winterberg in Germany.

Last year's Scott 4X Challenge was one of the largest of its type in the world. Among the over 300 competitors were Jared Graves, Roger Rinderknecht, Michal Prokop, Joost Wichmann and Guido Tschugg. In 2010, the finals will be run under the lights on a permanent four cross course.

"We're building some extra flowing, new freeride trails in the Bike Park," said Bike Park operator Georg Brinkmann, who is preparing courses for the race.

The festival will also include an expo, a party and live music.

For more information, visit www.dirtmasters-festival.de or www.bikepark-winterberg.de.

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