Riva del Garda, March 2026. As spring awakens Lake Garda, the iconic trails stretching from the lake to the mountains burst back into action. The FSA Bike Festival marks the start of the season with three days of adrenaline-fuelled racing, innovation and Italian flair in one of Europe’s most legendary bike destinations. But the festival goes further in 2026, looking beyond competition and exhibition by focusing on one central theme: the future of biking.
Conscious biking
For decades, Garda Trentino has stood for exceptional trail diversity, from Mediterranean lakeside routes to alpine terrain. Now, the region is setting a new international benchmark: it is the first destination worldwide to reach the final phase of the International Trail Rating System (ITRS) Destination Certification. The ITRS delivers transparent, comparable and reliable trail information. For riders, this means better orientation, enhanced safety and a clearer understanding of a route’s difficulty, exposure and overall character. For destinations, it provides a framework for strategic development, sustainable maintenance planning and professional trail management.
In a move towards inclusivity, filled and unfilled dots will complement the existing colour codes to indicate trail difficulty levels – an important improvement for colour-blind riders. Garda Trentino has been testing its own MTB signage system since 2022, and in 2026 visitors will be able to experience it in full for the first time.
ITRS live: From theory to trails
On Thursday, 30 April, an exclusive B2B event will take place with ITRS managers Mischa Crumbach and Edoardo Melchiori. Beyond presenting the certification levels (bronze, silver and gold), the session will provide insights into its framework and highlight its concrete benefits for destinations.
Participants will then head out to the trails of Monte Brione for a live, on-bike demonstration of the rating app. On Saturday, 2 May, festival visitors can experience the system themselves during a dedicated guided tour.
Bike Festival Award 2026: The future in focus
The Bike Festival Award continues to evolve with a clear focus on the future. Alongside the established bike categories, three new awards will take centre stage in 2026:
- Innovation Award for forward-looking products in the bike world
- Sustainability Award for the most sustainable initiative
- Start-Up Award for young companies that have been on the market for less than two years
New opportunity for all exhibitors: the submission deadline has been extended to 15 March!
The international jury will be chaired by Uli Stanciu, founder of the Bike Festival and a leading figure in the European mountain biking scene. He will be supported by design and innovation experts such as Giampaolo Allocco, Marco Menin, Fiorenza Baratti, Michael Rieder and Sandra Schuberth, online editor and gravel specialist.
Future Summit: AI meets outdoor
On Thursday, 30 April, the second edition of the Bike Festival Future Summit will explore one of today’s most transformative topics: “AI & Outdoor – How the bike experience is changing.” At the Hotel Du Lac et Du Parc, industry experts will discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping tour planning, user behaviour and destination management.
The format is specifically aimed at trade visitors coming from industry and tourism and actively shaping the bike and outdoor sectors. “For us, the Bike Festival Future Summit is a strategic platform that brings together leaders, innovators and stakeholders from the bike, tourism and outdoor sectors to shape the future together,” emphasises Oskar Schwazer, General Manager of the Garda Trentino Tourism Board.
Artificial intelligence is a key lever in this – not only for the industry, but also for tourist destinations. “For a DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) like Garda Dolomiti, managing visitor flows, experiences and an ever-growing amount of data means using AI in a targeted way to improve planning, sustainability and the quality of the guest experience.”
Exhibitor evening at a new location
Beyond trails, talks and side events, the FSA Bike Festival places strong emphasis on personal connections.
The exhibitor evening is confirmed for Thursday, 30 April at 7 p.m. – this year at a brand-new location. The networking event brings together exhibitors, industry representatives, media and partners in a relaxed atmosphere, providing the perfect setting to kick off the festival.
New in 2026: Special Press Preview
For the first time in the history of the Bike Festival, the Expo Area will be open to media and industry professionals before the official opening, from 9 to 11 a.m. on 1 May 2026. There, you will be able to discover new products, exchange ideas and network in a relaxed atmosphere. Media representatives will meet at 9 a.m. in the Press Room. Media registration is available HERE
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Three days, one attitude
The FSA Bike Festival 2026 is about more than just racing, exhibitions and bike tests. It stands for a complete approach to off-road sports, one where adventure, innovation and responsibility go hand in hand, making Garda Trentino a driving force for a sustainable bike culture.
Register for the Bike Award HERE
Register for the Future Summit HERE
Register for the ITRS workshop HERE
