Something outstanding, some unheard-of event ought to be placed in Europe and so, the initiator; the mastermind of the race, Martin Huber put forward the idea and made it happen within brief time: the (Salzkammergut) Trophy was born!
Back then in 1998, 30 starters longing for the brutality of 210km on one day, lined up in pouring rain at 5am. I have been one of those lucky one as Martin vowed us, we were the first ones, also enjoying the whole media awareness, including Eurosport and the most significant broadcasters.
“I meant to put up something unprecedented. I mean, 100km marathon, that’s pretty much epidemic. 200km in grueling uphill-loaded Alps is definitely a challenge” – says Martin, and adds: “We have found followers immediately, some of them are the usual suspects each year”. His aim hasn’t been only the distance and specialty per se, but to up the ante as far as the quality goes.
“You can have an agency do the event for you, and have a huge budget and do the show. What really matters though; is the riders feedback positive?”
And so, the envelope was pushed year after year, improving well established features of the event in each new iteration.
“I haven’t been satisfied with established standards that you can find across the board at all events. Bringing new ideas and special touches to our event has been appealing to me.” – tells the visionary event manager. He went so far to add something new to the event every year, like adding unusual entertainment to the spectators, tons of side events and a growing number of distances as well as categories.
In the meantime, the Trophy is a firm fixture for the industry too. “ Bike producers and all related to the sport love the Trophy” beams Martin “ the way they can reach the targeted audience is tremendous, so yes, the number of applicants is growing”
The Trophy enjoys an obvious advantage, though.
“For sure, in fact we have got those gorgeous mountains around, giving us an epic surrounding and challenging track simultaneously.”
One may argue that the Trophy isn’t technically exciting enough. “Sure, it isn’t a one size fits all event.” Fact is though; the route provides enough technical sections, so that no one comes off badly. What’s more, there are some rock gardens that require the highest attention.
It is not the rider-skill-provoking sections that makes the Trophy grueling.
Martin has only one piece of advice for that case. “I can’t reiterate enough that one has to pace wisely. From the get go, when the starts kicks off at 5am, be prudent, pay attention to the subjective sensation.”
I have done this event [200km] from the very beginning, and truth be told, pacing is that crucial. One wonders over and over again what’s next for the upcoming edition. “I’m constantly collecting ideas, seeking new concepts. There is always something you can improve, or swap it for something else, different, not necessarily more challenging but different.”
He is, as he puts it, “on business trips” yearlong.
“Well that’s true. I’m getting around a lot. To see events, ride them, and gather new thoughts for the Trophy. You just pretty much learn first-hand how my peers are dealing with event making.”
What really amazes me in the process, is that Martin is highly welcome wherever he shows up. Albeit, at the event-competition, due to the overlaying schedules, relations became fierce, still he manages having a warm welcoming. The same is true for the participants and entourage as well.
The question arises, is the Trophy a global event? “We certainly didn’t start with this goal. However the fact is, in the interim we have grown into that realm. Participants line up from all over the world, the newest one from Brazil, so that’s massive. And it isn’t any secret that we would love to welcome more of those guys from other continents too.” Its accordingly only matter of time of getting more applications from Australia, US and Asia.
When the starters are asked for the attractiveness of the Trophy, the drawing point, they immediately start with top notch quality, prior, during and after the event. It’s a general consensus, too, that the security is almost the be all and all to the event crew.
“It has an absolutely high priority” assures Martin “No way can we allow, or afford to discount our high security standards”
The probably stricter test happened in 2009 when an unexpected snow thunderstorm caught us in middle of July in high elevations.
“It’s been something I would like to file and forget completely. We really had to prove, that we are up to the task” They mastered it greatly “I think that made us even stronger, it has been a hard learning process, but I do believe we managed to live up to our standards and at the end of the day all went well according to our Plan B”.
What drives the man behind the Trophy anyway? “ I chalk up my inner motivation partially to my triathlon background. having done a similar stuff back then helps” flashed back Martin “and for sure, you just have this inner drive to do it better, to make the participants more content. It is about abiding memories. You have done the Trophy, you are done and spent, but chances are, you want to do it again … and again”
So true, sign me up to the long list of the Trophy-addicts.
What does the near future holds for us? In regard to this, Martin stays tight lipped and reveals only so much as having definitely something new in the pipeline. “Rest assured, Trophy stays innovative” One of the hallmarks of the event.
That’s more than a commitment; it’s point blank total dedication “You have got to love what you do. There are days, you are overworked, tied up with business, rushed weeks, prior to the event weekend. But inside, deeply, you feel this desire to do it and keep it alive”
Hopefully the Trophy will live up to its high standards year after year, as well as keeps all those eager endurance followers coming back.
For more details on the Salzkammergut Trophy – head to the event website.