St. Märgen round of German MTB-Bundesliga series cancelled
Economic downturn blamed for sponsorship woes
The fourth round of German International MTB-Bundesliga national series has been cancelled due to financial problems. St. Märgen will not host an event in the 2010 series, which will continue with just five rounds for all categories and one Under 23-only round.
In 2008 and 2009, St. Märgen, a small village in the Black Forest area, hosted the German National Championships. In previous years, it was a stop on the Bundesliga. It had been scheduled to host the Bundesliga round on July 3-4, 2010.
However, the organizing committee could not find enough sponsors to secure the cross country race. One third of the total budget remained uncovered according to Reinhard Rüffer, head of the organizing committee. The recent economic downturn was blamed for the shortfall.
"We didn't want to do it half-heartedly because the level of the Bundesliga is a high one," said a disappointed Rüffer.
MTB-Bundesliga International 2010 (Revised)
April 10-11: Round 1 - Leissling (C2, Under 23 only)
April 17-18: Round 2 - Münsingen (C1)
May 15-16: Round 3 - Heubach (HC)
June 12-13: Round 4 - Albstadt (HC)
August 14-15: Round 5 - Wetter (C1)
September 18-19: Round 6 - Saalhausen (C1)
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews. She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.