October 3/08 10:41 am - Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2009 Calendar Updated

Posted by Editor on 10/3/08
 

Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2009 Calendar Updated

The International Cycling Union's (UCI) Management Committee has approved the final version 2009 calendar for the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano. The committee approved the calendar during its meeting in Snekkersten, Denmark, on June 12 and 13, and finalized it (after signing contracts with some previously tentative organizers).

The updates from our previous report in mid-June are:

- Bromont, Quebec is confirmed as the August 1-2 World Cup triple (we actually reported this a couple of weeks ago)
- La Bresse, France will be the site of World Cup Downhill #2 (but no 4-Cross)
- The Worlds in Canberra, Australia will run September 1-6 (one more day than the previously reported 5th)
- The American Continental Championships will take place in Chile, March 20-22

World Cup downhill races have already taken place in Stellenbosh, South Africa, in 1997 and 1998 but for the first time in World Cup history, the world's best will gather on the African continent for a triple event in 2009. The South African town of Pietermaritzburg will open the season for Olympic cross-country, downhill and 4-cross. The downhill star Greg Minnaar will definitely want to shine in his home town. This season's cross-country revelation, Burry Stander, will also have the chance to prove himself on his home ground.

The legendary cross-country site, Houffalize, will host, for the first time, the World Cup 4-cross riders.

Overall, eight legs will be organized for each discipline at 12 different sites. Taking into account the UCI World Championships, which will take place in Canberra, Australia, four continents will provide mountain bike athletes with the chance to prove themselves in 2009.

2009 Mountain Bike World Cup & Championships