UCI DH World Cup #1 – Preview

The waiting is over. It’s the first World Cup of the season this weekend in Lourdes, France. Check out our preview to get you fired up for the weekend.

More teams, more countries represented (including newcomers China, Indonesia, Iran and Israel), and larger audiences: the 2015 season of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano looks like being as enthralling as ever.

– Two new rounds: Lourdes (France) which makes its debut by opening the season, and Lenzerheide (Switzerland), at the beginning of July
– After a year’s break, the return of Val di Sole (Italy) which will close the season at the end of August, one week before the UCI MTB World Championships in Andorre
– 4 venues already part of the World Cup in 2014: Fort William (GBR), Leogang (AUT), Mont-Sainte-Anne (CAN) and Windham (USA).

11-12.04.2015 Lourdes France
06-07.06.2015 Fort William Grande-Bretagne
13-14.06.2015 Leogang Autriche
04-05.07.2015 Lenzerheide Suisse
01-02.08.2015 Mont-Sainte-Anne Canada
08-09.08.2015 Windham Etats-Unis
22-23.08.2015 Val di Sole Italie

Lourdes Course Preview

Lourdes
New to the UCI MTB World Cup presented by Shimano in 2015, Lourdes will be one of three rounds – with Fort William and Leogang – 100% dedicated to Downhill. A regular French Cup stopover, the city in the south-west of France will kick off the season. The riders will no doubt enjoy its demanding track that offers a stunning view of the city.

Fort William
After first joining the UCI World Cup in 2002, this British stopover features on the calendar for the 14th time. Also host of the 2007 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships, this spot in the Scottish Highlands is a not-to-be-missed destination on the DHI calendar. Proof: Fort William was voted best DHI event in 2012 and 2013.

Fort William Preview

Leogang
With its bikepark launched in 2001, Saalfelden-Leogang is one of the most popular European meetings for the downhillers. The Austrian winter sports resort, not far from Salzburg, joined the UCI World Cup in 2010 and organised the Downhill / 4X UCI World Championships in 2012 followed by the 4X Worlds in 2013 and 2014. With its spectacular views, Leogang once again promises to be sensational.

Lenzerheide
Scheduled for the beginning of July, the Swiss resort is – along with Lourdes – one of the new venues this year. Lenzerheide will welcome the season’s first combined XCO/DHI event, which will also be the first of three rounds (2015-2017) at the venue in the lead-up to the 2018 UCI World Championships. The Swiss, traditionally strong in XCO, will have the chance to race at home and the athletes wait impatiently the first weekend of July.

Mont-Sainte-Anne
The Canadian round has gone hand in hand with the UCI MTB World Cup since 1991. This year it celebrates the organisation of its 25th UCI event. Hosting a combined XCO/DHI event in August, Mont-Sainte-Anne comes before another North American round, Windham. Situated in Quebec, one of the “Sommets de Saint Laurent”, the Queen of the World Cup deserves its reputation as a Mecca of mountain bike.

Windham
The round in Windham, a small resort nestled at the foot of the Catskills in the State of New York, will welcome XCO and DHI competitions. The downhill track is renowned for its final section, nicknamed Peaty’s Plunge. It is an event that is eagerly awaited by the fans, who benefit not only from the competitions but also the concerts for youngsters and families.

Val di Sole
After a year’s break, the resort in Trentino returns to the UCI World Cup calendar in 2015. It will be the final round, and therefore decisive for the XCO and DHI rankings. It will also enable the riders to put the finishing touches to their preparation for the UCI World Championships one week later. Host of the Worlds in 2008, Val di Sole will again organise the World Championships for Downhill in 2016.

All rounds will be live streamed on Red Bull TV. This link for the opening round is here – RedBull TV Live Streaming Link

Programme

SATURDAY
Qualifying
12.30 – Junior Men
13.30 – Women
14.00 – Men Elite

SUNDAY
Finals
12.30 – Junior Men
13.15 – Women
14.00 – Men Elite