Six stops at fantastic locations, hundreds of enthusiastic racing kids and countless wonderful memories – that was the VPACE Kids Cup 2025! Lots of fun, families, bikes and bike talk everywhere, excitement, biscuits, mini pros from a wide variety of countries and top guests from the bike scene – the VPACE Kids Cup was once again something very special this year.

A real start

The starting signal was given, as is tradition, in May at the BIKE Festival Willingen – right next to the iXS Downhill Cup. With a great atmosphere, lots of spectators and prominent guests such as Max Hartenstern and Fabian Waldemeier from the BDR, there was a real racing atmosphere right from the start.

The festival races

This was immediately followed by the iXS Dirt Masters Festival in Winterberg – always a highlight in the calendar. Due to high demand, there were two races here for the first time. Nearly 200 kids trained, laughed and cheered each other on. The atmosphere here was also fantastic – especially when Erik Fedko and Wyn Masters presented the medals at the award ceremony.

Ilmenau in summer

Another highlight followed in Ilmenau, where the sky was bright blue this year. Germany's current best downhill rider, Henri Kiefer, attended the Riders Meeting, giving tips and signing autographs. Shortly afterwards, Nina Hoffmann spontaneously took over as presenter – a real highlight for everyone! The course was varied, the atmosphere was fantastic, and the ILRC club once again ensured that the Absolute Downhill was an unforgettable event.

Season Final

The grand season finale finally took place at Bikepark Leogang – together with Bikeclub Leogang and as part of the BIKE Festival Saalfelden-Leogang. Around 150 kids celebrated the end of a great season there against a breathtaking Alpine backdrop. Lukas Knopf was there as a surprise guest, and shredding together in the bike park made the weekend a worthy finale to the VPACE Kids Cup 2025.

The overall winners of the 2025 season were also honoured in Leogang. As at the World Cup in Leogang, every point was fought for – and in the end, the winners were:
Lenja Hartmann (Mini Girls), Tom Koniarski (Mini Boys), Carla Schneider (Girls), Titus Wiemeyer (Boys), Mara Bittner (Maxi Girls) and Ben Wagner (Maxi Boys).

THANK YOU

A huge thank you goes to all our local partners, clubs and the MTB Agency, as well as our series sponsors VPACE, iXS, MAXXIS, SR Suntour, Aktiv Schulen and 3ESSEN. And, of course, to over 800 participants from 12 different countries – you all made the VPACE Kids Cup something very special again in 2025!

We are already working on the final details for the 2026 season – the calendar will be published soon. But we can reveal one little secret already:
The routes for the Kids and Maxi Kids categories will be a little longer and more challenging next year to match the steadily increasing level of the riders. For the Mini Racers, everything will remain as usual – fun and enjoyment of riding will continue to be the focus.

Finally, we would like to wish our long-standing regular riders, who will be moving to the Rookies Cup next season, lots of fun and success!
For many years, you and your families have brought the Kids Cup to life – whether at the races, the long jump contest or the barbecue in the paddock. Even though it is hard to say goodbye, we are proud to send you off to the next chapter in your racing careers.

The VPACE Kids Cup – the preschool for the Rookies Cup.

We'll see you on the trails – and we're already looking forward to a new chapter full of young talent, smiling faces and unforgettable moments.