60 riders signed up to battle for 12k euro purse.

The countdown is on! In three weeks, the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle is opening its doors to thousands of spectators, eager to watch the world's dirt jump elite at the second FMB World Tour contest of the year. With ideal indoor conditions, huge kickers and valuable Silver event points up for grabs, you can expect to see the biggest names in Stuttgart this month.

Around 60 riders from 16 nations will throw down their best tricks during the highlight event of the Sparkassen MountainBike-Festival - regardless of the precarious weather issues. Alongside the fame and glory, riders will be competing for a split of the 12,000 Euro prize purse. Top dogs like the current FMB Champion Sam Pilgrim as well as Thomas Genon and Brett Rheeder are amongst the favorites for the win. The competition will be fierce though, so expect to see the most technical and jaw dropping tricks the discipline has to offer.

Drawing in spectators is a rider list of around 40 selected pre-qualifiers and these 20 set riders:

The promise of super dialed dirt jumps has attracted a large line-up from overseas with three riders from Canada and two from the US. Amongst them is Nicholi Rogatkin who originally comes from the BMX side, but is currently making waves with his mountain bike skills. Peter Henke, Amir Kabbani and Max Mey will defend the home turf. But also the well-known British and French representatives like Sam Pilgrim and Yannick Granieri will give their very best to take home the trophy.

Hall of Dirt will comprise of three contests open to the athletes: on Saturday, 29 March from 08:00pm they will join forces for the national team contest, followed by a Best Trick contest from 9:00pm. Then on Sunday, the amazing showdown for overall victory will commence. From 11:30am 30 riders (20 set riders and 10 riders from the pre-qualifiers) will battle their way into the finals. From 3:30pm the 12 riders will advance and once again hit the dirt to impress the judges and move into the super finals, where after one final run, the champion will emerge.

Hall of Dirt has all the ingredients necessary for an incredible loaded event but alongside the dirt jump contest, the Stuttgart MountainBike-Festival will include several cross-country races and adventurous mountain bike tours, a pump track and a bike expo for even more eye candy. Of course, there will also be a rider's party after the best trick contest on Saturday.

Put simply - the Stuttgart MountainBike-Festival will be a weekend full of action and rammed with new season's best bikes and gadgets. Save the date and we will see you in Stuttgart on the 28 to 30 March!