No Swatch Rocket Air 2021, but an outdoor event in Thun
No dirt bikes will be flying through the Thun ice rink this year. Just like last year, the Swatch Rocket Air 2021 had to be cancelled again due to Covid. However, an outdoor event is planned to take place in Thun in September.
The world's best MTB freeriders have been flying through the Thun ice rink on their bikes every year since 2010. Having said that, the riders are actually rarely on, but mostly next to, under and above their wheels. Or rather: they used to. Like last year, the Swatch Rocket Air, Switzerland’s largest MTB freestyle event, had to be cancelled again this year.
In a statement, the organiser writes that they're planning an open-air freestyle event from 9 to 12 September in Thun instead. The concept is ready and will be published in May. As Ramon Hunziker of the organising committee writes, it would be impossible to organise an event with 10,000 spectators in the Thun ice rink under the current circumstances, so they're now looking for alternatives that can take place this year. One possibility is an outdoor event concept across the city of Thun. This event would allow the freestyle spirit to spread far beyond the sport of biking and revitalise various parts of the city in a sustainable way. What the future of Rocket Air will be after that is still uncertain.
The competition in the Bernese Oberland celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2019. It’s become one of the most important events on the FMB World Tour since 2010.
From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.