If you’ve already been to a World Cup or the World Championships in Fort William you are part of the team that has made it such a famous name in global mountain biking, and you know what to expect.
If you are a keen mountain biker, the chances are you’ve heard of Fort William so now’s the time to make the journey to see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
And if you don’t know the first thing about mountain biking and its stars but you want a great day out in a very special location come and join us in the Highlands this June.
This will be the one opportunity in the UK to see all the potential Cross Country Olympic medal winners in action as they prepare for Beijing.
Best riders. Best courses. Best crowds. Best be there.
Fort William will be the only opportunity to see the World’s top Cross Country riders preparing themselves for the Beijing Olympic event in August.
As well as forming a crucial part of each rider’s programme, the Fort William Cross Country event (Saturday 7 June) is also crucial for national qualification and selection processes.
Britain has a quota of two riders for Beijing and final British Team selection will be made after the race. Oli Beckingsale has already put down his marker with an 18th at the opening event of the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Houffalize. The other main UK rider, Liam Kileen had to battle through the field due to a late start position on the grid and deal with mechanical problems to finish 69th.
At the second event in Offenburg, Oli was 30th and Liam 65th with Fort William World Champion Julien Absalon dominating again.
This weekend the action moves to Madrid.
Full information on the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and results can be found here: www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI5/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUzNDI
Scottish One day Trials Comp for Fort William
Bicycle trials action has always been a big hit with the crowds in the World Cup Village and this year will be no exception. Most of the highly praised World Championships sections will feature in the 3rd round of the fiercely contested British National Trials Championships. As well as the artificial sections in the Village there will be natural sections in the river bed beside the Village.
The World Cup needs around 200 volunteers. If you want to be part of a fantastic team, you can still apply - either complete the on-line application form here or download the pdf application form here and send/fax the completed form back to the office.
We need a wide range of helpers but the most important skills are enthusiasm, friendliness and a determination to help make this a great event for everyone.
Tickets are now on sale!
Tickets are now on sale via our online ticket office. Click here to purchase.
Fort William takes Best Event in World for third year.
IMTTO, the International Mountain bike Teams, Tech support and Organisers association, votes annually for what they consider to be the best event in the sport of mountain biking.
All international competitions in every mountain biking discipline are considered and voting is by professionals who spend most of their time attending and supporting major events all over the globe. So they know good stuff when they see it and for the past three years they’ve awarded their beautiful glass trophy to the Fort William World Cup and World Championships.
It’s an award that recognises all aspects of the event – from crowds, atmosphere, courses, organisation and marketing – so take a big bow everyone who came along and helped make the World Championships such a success. And please come back again this year to keep the World Cup at the top.
Photo: Mike Jardine from organisers, Rare Management with big glass IMTTO pot.
4X moves to Friday
Following the success of the 4X on Friday evening at the World Championships, this year’s 4X World Cup will take place at 7.30pm on Friday 6 June.
As we will only be 3 weeks away from the longest day, it will be light until past 10pm, so no floodlights – but we are looking at some other new ideas. There should also be sufficient shuttle buses to deal with spectators this year.
Holding the 4X on Friday means we kick the World Cup off with a bang, then we can concentrate on the Cross Country on the Saturday with a bigger range of activities in Fort William in the evening for fun and partying. The World Cup will close with the traditional Downhill on the Sunday.
