While the German speaking market has its bike festivals in Willingen/Germany or Riva, Lake Garda/Northern Italy, Spain hosts the Test The Best Festival in Cercedilla near Madrid. All major mountain bike brands were present during that weekend and offered their current model range for testing. STEVENS Bikes supported their Spanish distributor Macario Llorente in giving advice to interested visitors and in handing out test bikes.

Like elsewhere E-MTBs are gaining popularity in Spain. So, models like the E-Pordoi, E-Agnello and E-Cayolle were handed out frequently. In Spain also cyclists are arguing about whether E-MTBs are a new discipline or they belong in the ”normal MTB” category.

The rental system was outstanding: Test riders had to register online prior to the event for a specific bike– so, it was always clear who would ride which bike at what time. Very convenient – more than 200 rentals worked flawlessly without stress.

The hilly Cercedilla region at 1200m (3940ft) of elevation is ideal for mountain biking. In addition, the races – like the kids’ race on Saturday or the marathon on Sunday – provided a great festival atmosphere, despite the occasional rain shower. The kids’ race – with age groups from four-year-olds on balance bikes to ambitious youth racers – was also very exhilarating, especially for the parents.

Of course, there is no bike festival without an outlook to the upcoming season: Marico Llorente, also the Shimano distributor for the Iberian Peninsula, for the first time presented the new Shimano XT Di2. The new electronic gruppo will provide the shifting on the new STEVENS Jura Carbon. STEVENS and Macario also presented the Jura Carbon’s frame set which was very well received.

This year’s Test The Best Festival was another perfectly organized show with Macario Llorente as a great partner and great reception of STEVENS Bikes.