What is the World Cup?
The World Cup is part of a series of up to 10 events taking place in Europe, Canada and Australia, from April to September.
At a World Cup, riders can compete as individuals, for factory teams or for their National Teams and there are few restrictions on entry other than a minimum standard of UCI points.
Although the Olympics (XCO only) and the World Championships medals are the best recognised titles in mountain biking, they are both one-off competitions, whereas the World Cup overall title is the best reflection of performance over a range of different courses through the season.
What disciplines?
The Olympic discipline of Cross Country (XCO) boasts some of the fittest athletes on the planet, whilst the Gravity disciplines of Downhill (DHI) and 4-Cross (4X) showcase amazing levels of speed, power and bike control.
Fort William is one of 6 events on the World Cup Tour where all three disciplines take place at the same time.
What about Trials?
Trials is an important part of the Fort William weekend. In 2007 at the World Championships, Trials was a medal event in the full programme. Prior to that, Fort William hosted a national Trials competition, The Scottish One Day Trial.
It’s a much liked and enjoyed part of the weekend, showcasing outrageous bike skills on amazing obstacles.
So, in 2008 we’ll be running The Scottish One Day Trial on the Saturday, using some of the impressive sections from the World Championships. For more details and to enter, go to:
Who is coming?
Pretty much everyone who is competing at the highest level will be there.
Famous names, Heroes from the magazines, Olympic, World and Commonwealth Champions, will be joined by the stars of the future as everyone battles for important World Cup points.
We expect about 500 competitors from around 35 nations
Who can compete?
Anyone with a minimum of 20 UCI points (gained in other UCI registered races) can enter the World Cup in the discipline where they have the points.
All entries have to go through the national association, except in the case of competitors with UCI registered Trade Teams.
For British riders the full qualification criteria and contact details for entries, are found here:
Website:
Can I ride the World Cup courses?
Most of the Downhill course is open to the public, although there will be some sections only used for the World Cup.
The course is open for public riding from May 15. It will be closed from Monday 2 June. It is hoped that the course will re-open after mid-day on Monday 9 June. This will depend on the amount of repair work required to the course following the World Cup.
Please check with Nevis Range for accurate opening times.
Telephone: 01397 705825
Website:
The Forestry Commission XC course is part of the extensive Witch's Trail network in the Leanachan Forest. It is also open to the public, but some sections will be used for the World Cup only. The World Cup course will be closed from Monday 3 June to Sunday 8 June. It will re-open on Monday 9 June (to be confirmed).
The 4X course will be closed from Monday 3 June to Sunday 8 June. It will re-open on Monday 9 June (to be confirmed).
What is Fort William’s history?
Ever since man first put a knobbly tyre on a bike, Scotland and Fort William were destined to deliver great mountain biking. Fantastic terrain, lots of natural trails and enlightened land access laws set the scene and then in 2001 the Forestry Commission started to develop some of the best single track trail centres in the World.
At the same time the Nevis Range ski area built a downhill trail under its mountain gondola system and hosted its first UCI Downhill World Cup and the first ever 4X World Cup in 2002. In 2003 it added a Cross Country World Cup and since then has become one of the classic events on the World Cup tour.
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