The 2014 UCI World Cup Bike Park Events

29 Mar 2014

With the start of the 2014 UCI World Cup season now only a couple of weeks away, we check out the events that go down at bike parks. The favorites remain for this season so it's set to be another great year of racing. And when the dust settles you can go ride the very same trails and see how you get on!

Albstadt, Germany

30 May - 1 June: XCO Round 4 / XCE Round 3 / Junior Series XCO Round 2

The World Cup visits Albstadt Bike Park in Germany for the second occasion, from the 30th of May until the 1st of June. Not really a 'big mountain' bike park, so no look-in for the DHI riders here - not quite enough vertical to play with although the bike park does offer some pretty cool downhill and freeride trails. But for the UCI series it's only cross country events taking place here, with the normal XCO discipline and the Sprint version XCE.

Fort William, Scotland

7-8 June: DHI Round 3

A mountain bike World Cup essential, the Fort William event is considered by many as the absolute far and away best event of the UCI series - every single year. The Brits go nuts for their downhill and with so many of the top Pros on the circuit hailing from the UK there is always a massive turn out in support of their 2-wheeled heros. The Nevis Range ski area is the host resort, and be aware that access to the World Cup Village and the whole event is by ticket only, something that's relatively unique on the UCI circuit but is neccessary here and gives you an indication of the size of the event and number of spectators! Tickets are available in advance or on arrival.

Leogang, Austria

14-15 June: DHI Round 4

Just one week after Fort William the UCI circus heads to Leogang Bike Park in Austria, a regular stop on the downhill circuit, scene of last season's finale, and of the UCI MTB World Championships in 2012. And the World Cup downhill trail there is steep, fast and scary. This year the World Cup is part of the Saalfelden Leogang region's Out of Bounds Festival, which includes the spectacular tricks and air acrobatics of the 26TRIX event on the Leogang Dirt Jump course, plus lots of other festival type activities which probably involve beer!

Mont Sainte Anne, Canada

31 July - 3 August: XCO Round 5 / XCE Round 4 / DHI Round 5

Bonjour Quebec - another regular stop on the UCI World Cup circuit - would you believe that Mont Sainte Anne Bike Park in Canada has hosted a round every year since 1991! And it's the only place to have hosted the UCI World Championships twice, so that ives you some idea of the mountain bike history at MSA. The DH course is a pro-favorite, fast and rough! This is another event that's part of a bigger festival - this time it's the Vélirium, which includes the City8, a unique dirt and freestyle event staged in Place D'Youville in downtown Quebec City!

Méribel, France

21-24 August: XCO Round 7 / XCE Round 6 / DHI Round 7

The 2014 UCI World Cup Champions in Elite Men and Women will be crowned at Méribel Bike Park in France, with the full quota of UCI World Cup disciplines (XCO, XCE and DHI) all wrapping up their respective series with the final podiums of the season being claimed in the Alps. It’s been twelve years since the French played host to the Mountain Bike World Cup but Méribel is no stranger to large international events given that it played a big part in the 1992 Winter Olympics. Méribel is only just starting to develop as a bike park, but it's trails have been open to mountain bikers for years so they have a solid foundation on which to build. And playing host to the World Cup grand finale is a great way to advertise yourself to the mountain bike world!

Hafjell, Norway

2-7 September: XCO / XCE / XCR / DHI World Championships

Having successfully hosted the UCI World Cup Series in 2013, Hafjell Bike Park lands itself the big fish for 2014 with the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. And believe it or not, it's actually under the threat of closure!! The money-men have been kept at bay for the coming year, but they have challenged mountain bikers from all over the world to come and ride the trails and help them stay afloat - which sounds like a great idea! Surely having the World Champs descend on them for a week of epic biking will go a long way towards helping. But just in case, book a trip out to Norway this year!

2014 UCI World Cup Series & World Championship Dates

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