October 23/10 10:44 am - UCI Announces Top World Cup Events for 2010

Posted by Editoress on 10/23/10
 

In keeping with tradition, riders, UCI Mountain Bike teams, media (including our editor), sponsors and UCI officials voted for the best events of the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano. At the end of each season, a trophy is awarded to one of the organisers in each of the three disciplines: Olympic cross-country, downhill and four-cross.

The 2010 edition of the World Cup included six rounds for each discipline for a total of nine events (three were triples). Of these events, three made their début on the calendar of the most prestigious series of the season: Yorkshire Dalby Forest (Great Britain), Leogang (Austria) and Windham (United States). All of them lived up perfectly to expectations and, in two cases, outclassed well-established events.

Olympic cross-country: Yorkshire Dalby Forest

Participating in the World Cup calendar for the first time, the British event exceeded all expectations. The riders praised the very technical course, the teams the perfect organisation and the short track event, and the media the quality of the infrastructure at their disposal. All the same, it was a big challenge for the organisers: the circuit went through a zone where the entire communication network had to be specially installed (including a temporary cell tower!). In addition, the eruption of Iceland’s volcano Eyjafjöl cast doubt on the venue and necessitated speedy action from the organizers British Cycling.

The winner in 2008, Offenburg (Germany), came second and Windham third.

Downhill: Fort William back at the top

Beaten last year, Fort William (Great Britain) was once again voted best downhill event of the season. The smooth organisation carried out by Rare Management and the thousands of spectators that regularly turn out for this Scottish event ensured its popularity within the mountain bike community. The modifications to the downhill course this season were also cited. Much further back, two events share second place: Val di Sole (Italy) and Windham.

Four-cross: Windham rewarded for its efforts

The World Cup hadn't come to the United States since Angel Fire Resort (New Mexico) in 2005. A successful return to the US with Windham! This small town in New York State seduced everyone with its four-cross track but also, and above all, because of the excellent organization as well as the welcome and enthusiasm of the local population. Fort William finishes second and Leogang (Austria) third. The Austrian resort rose perfectly to the challenge in accepting to organize the event just a few weeks before it took place.

Courtesy UCI