2017 – Helene Valerie Fruhwirth

3. Juli 2018

Crankworx Innsbruck // Crankworx Les Gets // Road Trip

„Crankworx Europe was a blast“

Some of you mind have followed my IG account (maybe you going to @helenefruhwirth :-)) but for those who haven’t I was on a road trip with my crew and had some awesome 3 weeks. Lots of chairlift minutes lots of minutes on the road but I so many more fun minutes on the best tracks in middle Europe.

Everything started with our VAN in Bikepark Königsberg, then to the great Velosoltion Pumptrack in Wals, then to the Bikepark Leogang and then to Bikepark Innsbruck., then Bikepark Morzine, Crankworx Les Gets, Bikepark Chatel, Bikepark Brandertal and Bikepark Geisskopf.

Crankworx Innsbruck was great I raced there the Downhill and the Pumptrack races. I had so much fun at both events. All the big MTB names were there and everyone enjoyed. I saw a lot of racer girls all over the world who I don’t see that often. I had a good final run and find myself at the 15th spot, which was very good for me. At the pumptrack race, I finished 10th, which could have been better. But I am not theeeee pumptrack expert. Something I have to work on.

Crankworx Innsbruck was awesome

Crankworx Les Gets DH: „After a high comes very often a low“

What should I say I guess Les Gets is a very special place for me and I didn’t expect that the past tense will hit me that much. 2004 I crashed in my World Champs training day number one at a big step down because someone else crashed and lied in the landing. I hurt myself dramatically bad that the doctors told me I will never be able to lift up my arm or even ride a bike. I disappeared from the scene for about two years working on my health and proved the doctors wrong.2018: During the track walk I felt fine and confident to hit the jumps but in my training runs I didn’t. Not even one single jump. My whole mind said „NO WAY“. Every run it got worse and worse and in the end, I found myself crying in the van because I had no clue what I can do to overcome my fear and get out of this self-doubts. Until my race run, I didn’t find a solution but still started. My run was the worse for a long time but I was happy that did it and could say at least I didn’t give up.

Crankworx Les Gets Pumptrack and Dual Slalom

Again in the Pumptrack, I gave all I had and I had a lot of fun and finished again at the 10th place. In Dual Slalom I made into the final on Saturday and I really liked the track. It was fast with some nice burms and the grass turns were tricky. My first heat was a tough one. I raced against Rachel Atherton, who won also at the end.To sum it up with I had some ups and downs in Les Gets but at the end the ups were overweight.

Pumptrack riding is so much fun. All in or nothing in 15 seconds.

After 20 years doing all by myself, I can say I am a good mechanic.

I want to say a big thanks to my sponsors, who support me. Go Pro, Iriedaily,
SR Suntour,Verival Bio, Dr. Antonio Martins Coco Drink, Troy Lee Designs ,
Skull Candy, Novatec Wheels, Selle San Marco, Carbocage, Maxxis, SP- Gadgets, Spy, Epic-Wear, Ciclopia, R.S.P, DVS, 9point8, Praxis Works, My next stop is the Eurobike so I guess I will see some of you there and then after I have my Niva! No Diva Race camp in Saalbach Hinterglemm.

Chatel was definitely my favourite bike park on this trip

I really love this place (Chatel /FRA)

finding my balance is sometimes harder than it looks

15. April 201815. Mai 2018

IXS European Cup Race // Downhill // Maribor

Na Bumm“ these words describe my weekend best.

A long time ago I saved the date in my Google calendar „Maribor IXS European race -13-15 April “ and my boyfriend kept asking me if I will go or not and until the last possible second I couldn’t tell him. I was so unsure and worried about so many things. Like did I spent enough time on my DH bike? Will I do all the jumps? Will I be capable to do this? Questions I normally thinking about but not kept me away from trying.

But then my racer heart couldn’t resist and went. Afterwards, I am happy that I said YES to all the challenges, stress, the great track and seeing all the old World cup friends. Because this race wasn’t like a normal IXS race. All the top WC riders came I guess because of the following World Cup in Croatia and it was great. I had so much fun and I like the track very much. I raced many times here so I could remember very well. Some new bits of course but not so much different than the years before.

My practice went well and I apart from the jumps I felt good. The weather was great and it was nice to meet other racer girls again. In my qualification run, I tested myself and my strength and was happy that all worked out how I wanted. But I have to be honest I wasn’t ready for the jumps something stopped me and I said to myself next time. In my race run, I gave all and improved my time by 15 seconds and ended up on the 19th spot. I am was happy with my race run and the weekend.

15. Mai 201815. Mai 2018

Niva! No Diva race and ride Camp girls only // @ the Glemmride Festival

You are a female MTB rider, ready for some action, fun and a new challenge.

You always wanted to race a downhill race but you didn’t want to do it alone and didn’t know how? Downhill, tricky section and speed is your thing and you like the share your MTB passion with other girls and also wanted to be coached by a woman? You are ready for the next step to improve your riding skills.

Then is the NIVA! No Diva Jam Session the perfect girls camp for you.

With a world champ medalist Helene Fruhwirth and the Austrian Pumptrack founder and DH racer Gloria Schnopfhagen. You have two great coaches next to you, who will make this weekend unforgettable for you.

The girls have planned many nice things and the icing on the cake is the phenomenal goody bag.

You can choose between the RACE and the RIDE group. The race group will take part in the IXS Rookies cup race – riding and racing on the proline the whole weekend. Helene will guide you, help you and show you how a professional deals with racing.

Gloria has the RIDE group, where you learn all the MTB basics and the advanced stuff the whole Saturday without racing stress.

The main focus for both groups.

• Jumping drops

• Jumping doubles

• Roots section

• Railing berms

• Jumping gaps

• Of camber roots section

• Line choice

• Rock section

• Increase your speed

• Breaking skills

The RACE Group has maximum 4 girls, and the RIDE group maximum 7 Girls.

Registration for the race www.racement.com (open Women)

from 15.MAI.2018

any questions just write to info@viennabikeacademy.com

Race group Helene

The timetable is not 100 percent sure

Friday:

depending if the racetrack is open in the morning we can ride together there

16:30 Welcome

****GOODY BAG ****

16:00 numberplate pick up

17:00-19:00 Track walk together

Saturday

09.00 – 14.00 Uhr Training on the race course

14.00 – 14.30 Uhr track closed so we have lunch

ab 14.30 Uhr Seeding Run (you need this run just for the start order)

After: Go Pro Videoanalyse

Sunday:

08.00 – 11.00 Uhr Training

11.00 – 11.30 Uhr track closed

ab 11.30 Uhr race run (this one count)

having a good time after and reflect what has happened in the last days.

RIDE group Gloria:

Saturday:

9:00 – 10:00 WELCOME everyone and goody bag surprise

10:00 – 10:15 Bike check

10:30 – 13:00 Bike Skills Training on the Milka Line / Z- Line

13:00 -14:00 Lunchtime with the RACE group

14:00 – 17:00 Bike Skills Training on the X – Line and the Hacklbergtrail

if you have a question feel free to ask info@viennabikeacademy.com or call 0043 650 8381111

Gloria and Helene are happy to ride with you on the nice trails.

Regular information:

for the registration, you have to fill out the registration formula.

You have to pay in advanced.

In the Ride group, your bike must have min 140mm travel and must be a full suspension bike.

In the Race group, you should have min 16mm travel a DH bike would be the best.

If you don’t have a DH Bike and you are planning to buy one, just ask Helene and she can help you to get a good priced Intense Bike

If you are a total Newbie you can’t register for this Camp

You need a full face helmet, long finger gloves, a goggle, Knee, Elbow and Back protection. If you don’t have on of these ask Helene she can lend you some.

The lift ticket is not included in the price

If you stay in Saalbach make sure you sleep in „Joker card“ Hotel because then you get the lift ticket for free.

The Race group gets a lift ticket at the race registration too.

19. März 201819. März 2018

„Schneefräsn“ Riding on snow

This winter the Bike Magazin Lines and the crews from the different venues organized snow races and they were great. The ones who know me well know I can’t stand the cold but thanks to my heating shoe inserts and warm gloves I was able to „survive“ outside and raced two races. The first one in St. Corona am Wechsel www.wextrails.at and the second one in Saalbach Hinterglemm. Both couldn’t be more different. The Wexltrail was short and not so steep. The Glemmride meets Glemmbang was the opposite – the course was fast and steep. I liked both, but for sure the one in Saalbach was more challenging.

At the Wexltrails I got 1st and at the Glemmride race, I got 3rd.

Valentina Höll won, second got Yana Dobnig.
Wexltrails was so much fun so I decided spontaneous to ride in Saalbach too.

3. Januar 201818. März 2018

gender disaster

This time I want to tell you something from my private life. When I am not training and racing I work one or twice per week in a bike shop in Vienna. I love it most of the time but there are days when I want just tell the customers straight in the face. Surprise I have an idea about bikes and don’t have balls.

One day a customer came into the shop and I asked him „Can I help you? He tried to ignore me and so I asked him again politely. „Do you need some help? And finally, he replied, “ No thank you can’t help me for sure!“ I asked again and said, „We won’t know if you don’t try.“ He was quite arrogant and rolled his eyes and replied again. „I am pretty sure you don’t know this, girl. So I stepped back and made the way free to my college. My college heard the whole conversation with one ear… and when the customer walked up to him and asked him the question he said „sorry I am not an expert in this but she is. She knows everything about this rear shock.“ But guess what? He didn’t come to me and asked me he just looked angry and left the shop.

This is just an example of many what happened nearly weekly to me just in the bike shop and I am wondering when it will ever stop, all this gender disaster. I hope someday but I guess the world would be too simple and too nice when everyone starts to treat everybody how they would like to be treated.

Don’t do this mistake too like this man in the bike shop – leave prejudices and intolerance behind you. You will be surprised.

27. August 201727. August 2017

I finally got it. 3rd at the World Champs

First Heat in Minute 28:00 and Final Heat in Minute 41:00

Finally I can say I got it.

This night my biggest dream came true. I always wanted to have a 4X World Championship medal. I didn’t even care which one. I just wanted to stand on the podium with my austrian national jersey and lean my head forward to get a medal around my neck.

„I achieved so many things in my life but this little thing which is massive for me was missing so far.“

So this year it was my year I thought. For those who watched me last year I had a massive crash at the pro section at the second double and walked away with nothing apart a concussion and a broken heart. I was so sad I can’t tell you. So this year I wanted to make better. anI trained a lot, had some heavy ups and downs and self doubts if it will be enough or if I will have a realistic chance to get this medal?
I arrived earlier to train the pro line. But I was so afraid to jump it. I rode so many times into the jumpline but everything in my body told me NO. So in my first official training session I said to myself. Don’t jump it and train the other line you can ride this fast too.
It was a good desicion I wrote fast and qualified 4th on thursday. On friday at the main race, in the heat where I could advanced in the final I had a good gate and stayed at the back wheel from Caroline. I was so happy and relieved that I made in the finals.
I stayed focused and because Natasha Bradley (GBR) made it also into the final but qualified 6th I could bike the gate before her and choosed third. So it was Caroline , Romana, me and Natasha in the gate. Caroline and Romana both BMX Pros had excellent gates. But my one was good too and I managed to rail the first turn very well and sticked behind Romana. Romana and Caroline went over the pro line and I chose the left line. Natasha planned to jump the pro line but then didn’t and had to roll the big doubles so I was gone. I came very close to Romana but not enough to make a move at the rocks.
I crossed the finish line third and couldn’t believe it. My knees felt like jelly pudding and I wanted to cry and smile the same time. I finally achieved my biggest dream to get a medal.

Results Women
Caroline Buchanan (AUS)
Romana Labounkova (CZ)
Helene Fruhwirth (AUT)

Men:
Felix Beckeman (SWE)
Quentin Derbier (FRA)
Giovanni Pozzoni (ITA)

my future:
I am not 100% sure yet but I want to stop 4X racing and I saw this race as my last 4X race. I really love the 4X family and how we all help each other especially the Brits. But the last races were so much stress for me and I wasn’t really happy, how I dealt with this and my emotions. I also love my downhill bike more and prefer jumping with this bike. I will keep you up to date what my plans are. My next stop is now the Eurobike in Germany so see some of you there.

I want say a big thanks to my sponsors, who supports me. Go Pro, Iriedaily, Baby-G, Verival Bio, Dr. Antonio Martins Coco Drink, Troy Lee Designs , Skull Candy, Novatec Wheels, Selle San Marco, Carbocage, Maxxis, SP- Gadgets, Acros Components, Board-Shack Shop, Epic-Wear, Ciclopia, R.S.P, DVS,

My dream came true this evening. Standing with these two ladies and playing with champagne, because we have achieved something great.

Look at this crowed it was just amazing to race here. Bella Italia and the name Val di Sole proofed right. I didn’t rain.

so relieved and happy

my idol Greg Minnaar, didn’t have so much luck this weekend a flat tire cost him the victory and the overall title, but he still smiled for the pic. thx.

16. Juli 20177. August 2017

You don’t know JBC? Then you better click here

When this event is coming up it means we are at the end of the 4X Pro Tour. It is always the biggest and most spectacular race in the season. More than 10.000 people come to watch. There is a live cast. A redbull Airfighter flying show a crazy Masters of dirt after party. I really like it and I also like the track. But this time my mind was not ready for it. I was so exhausted from the weeks before that I didn’t really looked forward to race again. But because I was afraid that I will regret it afterwards I decided to compete and luckily I didn’t regret it after.
I can’t complain at the end it turned out well for me. I qualified 2nd on Friday and could keep me second spot also in the final. It was a tough one but I kept focused. I didn’t have the best gate and was behind Romana and Natasha. Romana went to the left and Natasha went for the pro Line (big respect for that) and I followed Romana. In the wood section Natasha tried to push Romana away but instead passing her she crashed so I rode by and followed Romana to the finish. Romana got first , Simona 3rd and Natasha 4th.
In the men race local man and organizer Thomas Slavik won.In the 4X Pro Tour overall I ended up on the 3rd spot. I am very happy about that.
First got Romana and second Natasha.Now I have some time to relax and will focus on my training. Their is still a lot home work to do until the World Champs in Italy until then I havn’t planned some races.

7. August 20177. August 2017

Niva! No Diva Race camp 2017

Watch my unforgettable Niva! No Diva Race camp 2017 video filmed by David Keusch

I just love my life as a racer.

I love to coach and I love to see someone else getting better and better on the bike. I guess you already have figured out that I also adore to race. I am the generation who improved their riding when you race, because the good tracks were just open for races and chair lifts were just running on race weekends. Now we have many bikeparks and you don’t have to race to ride the best tracks. But I still think when you race and you like to compete (thats very important) you get definitely much faster and better.

So three years ago I decided to make race camps for girls who had never raced before. I teach them all the stuff I had to learn by myself and pass on my experiences and secrets. I really enjoy the time with them I pretty much live with them again through my whole DH career. It is very emotional and can be stressful.And every year we have some little dramas but nearly always with an happy end.
This year it was something special. The first time in the Niva! no Diva history one of my racer girls made it to podium next to me. She was all weekend long very fast and sticked to my back wheel. But it is something different to ride fast in the training or ride fast in the race run. She kept it together and kept her 3 place from qualification.
At the beginning of the race camp we were 5 girls. On friday we did the track walk together and talked about the fastest lines. Unfortunately on girl got really sick over the night and could continue the race camp. So we were 4 on Saturday. We did some good trainings runs and in my opinion we were a very fast group this year. I was totally satisfied and happy. The qualification run went fine for all of us too and because we were riding the whole day with our gopros we could discuss afterwards the best lines by watching our videos. On raceday (Sunday) Mara had bad luck because in her first trainings run her breaks didn’t work and she got of the track very bad and decided not to race. And so at the end it was Nicole, Stef and myself. But the girls very already like professionals and stayed focused even we missed one dream team member.

In the race run Stef had very good run just one mistake at the top and Nicole hit all the lines she wanted and also did the big gap which she did just twice.
My run was also good and I didn’t make a big mistake. I ended up on the second spot behind my good friend Angie Hohenwarter followed by my Niva! No Diva Ladie Stef. The only girl who beat us was the local young gun Valentina Höll. She smoked our times and is the future of the Austrian downhill scence – or even of the world. She is so fast and I can’t wait to see who she will do at the World cups in two years.

I want say a big thanks to my sponsors, who supported the camp and made my girls smile, because of this big goody bag stuff. (Go Pro, Iriedaily, Baby-G, Verival, Coco Drink, Ion, Carbocage, Maxxis, Acros, Board-Shack, Epic-Wear, Saalbach Tourismus, Glemmride)

My Heros for the weekend Stef and Nicole. (and Mara even if she couldn’t race)
Big thanks to Saalbach Hinterglemm trourism and the Glemmride crew.

Niva! No Diva race group

Number plate perfection …

Where is the best line? Thanks Go Pro for the cameras. #Heros

On the same weekend was also the Niva! No Diva Ride camp, for girls who prefer to ride than race. My friend Michèle Quint was leading it. They have all a lot of fun and improved their riding skills.

28. Juni 201728. Juni 2017

Another good event you shouldn’t miss / Crankworx Innsbruck

INNS‘ BRUCK CRANKWORX in one word – WOW. I just can’t say anything negative about the first Crankworx Event in Austria. It was just a blast for me. The venue was great, the weather was perfect, the downhill track was something „new / old „. It was great to see old friends and have actually time to chat with them. The vibes were good. I had so much fun riding the Pumptrack and the Downhill race. I didn’t get hurt and I didn’t had mechanicals. We had nice place to stay and good food.
The only thing maybe I would like to have is a qualification run at the DH. Because I am more a two run person. In the first run I give much and in the second run I know where I can give even more. But yes that shouldn’t be an excuse.
In Pumptrack I had two solid qualification runs but I didn’t made in the top 8. In Downhill I finished 11 th.
Tracy Hannah won in DH and Caroline Buchanan got first in Pumptrack.my next stop is the Glemmride Festival in Saalbach Hinterglemm, where I also have my Niva! No DIva Camp running. If you want to be part of it go to www.viennabikeacademy.at and register.

10. Juni 201728. Juni 2017

Schladming / IXS Cup / my favourite track

For sure one of my favorite places to ride and race the Schladming Planai Bike Park. I missed Crankworx Les Gets for this one and it was totally worth it. The track is so good. Fast, technical, flow, challenging and so much fun. So I raced there. The practice runs went well for me. My Bike worked perfect. I just played a bite with my High speed compression on my Cane Creek rear shock and made my fork harder and swooped to Maxxis Minion tires front and rear. The track was so dry and fast so my changes were perfect.
On Saturday I had the qualification run and I have to commit I was finished and my shoulder hurt from a small crash on Friday. I hardly could hold my handlebar I had nothing left in my tank. I ended up on the 19Th place. But luckily this run wasn’t the important one.
On Sunday I felt so much better again and could generate much more power that could hold on very well. Always nice to see what your body can do if you reset your mind and try hard. I hit the lines which I wanted and my bike had no mechanical. The starter field was this time very big over 25 racer girls and big names were there.
It was nice to catch up with all the ladies and I enjoyed to go fast. I was about 12 seconds faster in my final run and finished 13Th.
To sum it up a good place for me and I am happy about my race run.My next stop is Crankworx Innsbruck where I am right now. Here I compete in DH and Pumptrack.
You can watch the events on www.crankworx.com.

9. Juni 2017

The craziest race of the year!

Full story:
What a week. I flew out to Edinburgh on Tuesday and drove straight up to Fort William. I also used to time to relax a bit and enjoyed the wonderful landscape. On Thursday the first practice started in the afternoon and it went good. I like the track and I have been here many times so I knew what to expect. On Friday we had practice again and after qualification. I just made one mistake in the last turn. I guess I rode it faster than normal and nearly washed out. but all good somehow I managed to stay on my bike. I finished 3rd. I was happy.
On Saturday we had practice again and straight after the heats started. I felt good and was very happy to race in Fort William. The place is just one of the best stops in my season. The traveling and planing is also very exhausting but it is worse it.
We were also so many girls and it was great to see how everyone supported each other and gave advises even we raced 10 minutes later against each other elbow to elbow. The british riders are just great and a big family. Even if I am not british they cheered for me.In the final I raced against Natasha Bradley, Romana Labounkova and Deborah Primrose. I had a good gate but then lost it a bit on the first straight. At the second straight I had one of this „oh no please“ moments when I nose dived in the double landing. No idea why in practice it had never happened. Then I followed Natasha and she passed Romana in one turn. I could pass Romana because I was to far away and stayed until the end on the 3rd spot.
To sum it up I am happy about my quali run and my race run.

My next stop is the IXS DH Race in Schladming in 2 weeks and after this I go straight to CRANKWORX Innsbruck.

Thanks to Nix Forster and her husband, who let me stay in their house.

14. April 201718. April 2017

MY SEASON KICK OFF // 4x PRO TOUR ROUND ONE

This winter was tough for me I was standing like horse in the start box with my feed banging against the wooddoor ready to run. But the cold kept me of my bike. I tried to make the best out of it so I trained in the gym, at home, in a circuit workout group and tried different things to keep myself entertained.

So I couldn’t wait to pack my stuff and my family and drive down to the Cote d’azur for practicing my french. No just kidding – I couldn’t wait to try this big step down which I saw in the videos from last year. It was actually in real much bigger than in the videos.. Ups. But I really wanted to do it. At the first try I was way to fast and over jumped it and I was glad that I had a full suspension bike…because I did a flat landed it. The next tries went fine and it felt great. What didn’t feel great was the last BMXstyle jumpy straight which turned out to be my breaking point 🙁 but what should I say nobody is perfect. So I tried to make the best out of the situation and practice to jump the first one – then roll the second and third one as fast as I could because I wasn’t able to jump them nicely.
In qualification I got 4th. And the first 4th riders were all in one second. So the final race was sooooo tight.
And because the first and second turn was the only place to pass on the whole track I put everything on one card. I had a good gate and tried to pull over to cut off the third but ended then elbow on elbow with the second (Nathasha) and she got pulled over by the first (Sabrina). So I rode in Natashas back wheel nearly felt over in the first turn and the 3rd rider could pass us. So Sabrina, the first in qualify stayed at the first spot. the 3rd got second. Natasha 3rd and me 4th.
Next time it will work better I guess. 🙂

1st. Sabrina Jonnier / 2. Fiona Ourdouillie / 3. Natasha Bradley 4. Myself 5. Jessica

my race plans for 2017:

14. May Austrian DH champs (Windischgarsten)
21. May DH Rennen in Höllenstein (AUT)
28. May Kalnica Bikefest (SK)
04. June 4X pro Tour Fort Williams
18. June IXS Downhill Cup in Schladming (AUT)
25. June Crankworx Innsbruck (AUT)
09. July NIVA No Diva DH Camp beim Glemmride Downhill in Saalbach (AUT)
16. July 4x Pro Tour JBC (CZE)
27. August 4xWorld champs (ITA)