20 September 2026 is World Children's Day and also the day of the iXS International Rookies Championships final. The host for this prestigious race and highlight for all junior classes will once again be the Bikepark Schladming in Austria.

20 years of promoting young talent

Of course, the big World Cup races are in the public spotlight, while the events that pave the way to them naturally receive less attention. But without consistent efforts to promote young talent, downhill racing would not be what it is today. For over 20 years, the iXS Downhill Cup and its sister series – the iXS European Downhill Cup, the PROPAIN Rookies Cup and the VPACE Kids Cup – have provided what is arguably the most important platform for young talents on their way to the top.

A special highlight within these series for the past ten years has been the iXS International Rookies Championships. Here, the U11 to U17 classes are given a stage that offers a real glimpse into the future. The IRC is not only about gaining initial racing experience, but also about prestigious titles that shape the careers of the most talented riders from an early age.

Bikepark Schladming

A race of this calibre needs a stage that can handle it all – and that's exactly what Schladming Bike Park offers. With its legendary downhill track, which will undergo some modifications for the upcoming edition, it has set new standards. The finish stadium on the Planai offers the perfect infrastructure and welcomes the stars of the future in a manner befitting their status. The race is organised by Bike School Pekoll, which is committed to promoting young talent with its expertise and team. Last year, 300 athletes from 32 nations travelled to the event. This alone demonstrates the importance of the competition.

From rookies to world stars

Previous IRC title holders include none other than the reigning world champions, Jackson Goldstone (CAN) and Vali Höll (AUT), as well as junior world champions Max Alran (FRA) and Rosa Zierl (AUT). So whoever wins in Schladming can certainly dream of one day standing at the top of the World Cup podium. And actually, the winners are already little world champions – after all, the IRC is unofficially considered the world championship for all junior categories in which there is no UCI title.