Lugano Bike Emotions 2026

Three days of sports, excitement, and big news on two wheels

From April 24 to 26, 2026, Lugano will once again transform into the stage of the most engaging cycling festival in Ticino, which last year attracted around 50,000 visitors over three days, including approximately 500 participants in the various races and registration-based activities. For three days, the region and the city center of Lugano will welcome enthusiasts, athletes, and families to experience cycling in all its forms: competitions, experiential events, shows, and activities for everyone.

The heart of the event will be the Expo Village set up in the city center, animated by specialized exhibitors, featuring areas dedicated to the latest industry innovations, bike tests, meetings with athletes, and social gathering moments.

Confirmed races: MTB Rally Emotions and Monte Brè Time trial

Rally Mountain Bike: scheduled for Sunday, April 26, designed for mountain bike enthusiasts who want to challenge themselves individually or in pairs. The race includes:

• 60 km of excitement: a route winding through forests, roads, and trails, with timed segments that will test riders’ skills.
• 5 special stages: with timed starts every 15 seconds.
• Hard and Short options: participants can complete the full course with all 5 special stages (hard) or challenge themselves on the first 3 stages (short).

Monte Brè Time trial: also on Sunday, April 26, the time trial dedicated to road bikes will take place. Participants will face a time trial on a 9.54 km uphill route that tests endurance and determination. With individual starts every 15 seconds, this year timing will begin after the initial untimed section at Ponte del Diavolo in Cassarate. From there, the real challenge begins: the timed stretch to the finish line, where riders can prove their strength and conquer the summit.

The big new feature of 2026: Gravel race debut

A major novelty of this edition is the Gravel race, taking place on Sunday, April 26, along the Rally MTB short course. This competition is designed for those who love off-road cycling on mixed, technical, and scenic routes that highlight the Lugano region. The course offers a dynamic challenge, ideal for riders who want to test themselves on a route combining endurance and technique.

Activities for all tastes return

In addition to the competitions, Lugano Bike Emotions will once again offer a range of activities that were highly appreciated in previous editions and will return in 2026:

• Pedala e Assapora – a food and wine tour combining cycling with tastings of local specialties and stops at must-see visits.
• Waterbike – a unique experience allowing participants to cycle directly on the waters of Lake Lugano, offering a completely new perspective of the city and its landscape.
• Indoor Cycling & Yoga – sessions dedicated to physical and mental well-being, ideal for fitness enthusiasts, held on the lakeside platform.
• Vintage Museum – an exhibition of vintage bicycles telling the history of cycling through historical models, anecdotes, and interactive experiences, including workshops and storytelling for children.
• Street Food & Music – a food area dedicated to street specialties, accompanied by live music for a full sensory experience.
• El Tony Mate Freestyle Air Show – an acrobatic two-wheel show with breathtaking stunts, scheduled throughout the weekend.
• Lake Eliminator – an elimination race on waterbikes directly on the lake, where participants will compete in exciting challenges.

From April 24 to 26, the city of Lugano invites everyone to enjoy a two-wheeled experience that is easy to remember and impossible to forget.

Notes

• Registrations and information: www.luganobe.ch