Fort William World Cup 2015 – Preview
It couldn’t come soon enough. It’s that time of year. It’s World Cup time at Fort William.
Without doubt the best World Cup on the calendar. The wildest fans, the toughest track and the best atmosphere. Fort William never disappoints and this year should be no different.
Schedule
Thursday 4 June
0830 – 1100 DHI Course Inspection by UCI
0900 – 0930 DHI Confirmation – UCI Elite Teams Only
0930 – 1100 DHI Confirmation – UCI Teams Only
1100 – 1300 DHI Confirmation – All Riders
1200 – approx Claudio’s GoPro course run (+ forerunner and following biker)
1245 – 1345 Gondola open to riders with accreditation – Elite Teams Only
1300 – 1400 BUFF® 4X Course Inspection by UCI
1300 – 1400 On foot DHI Course Inspection – Elite Riders/Teams Only
1345 – 1545 Gondola open to riders with accreditation – All Riders/Teams
1400 – 1600 On foot DHI Course Inspection – All Riders/Teams
1430 – 1600 BUFF® 4X Pro Tour Confirmation – All Riders
1615 – 1800 BUFF® 4X Pro Tour Training
Friday 5 June
0830 – 1000 Final Confirmation DHI and BUFF® 4X – All Riders
0830 – 1200 DHI Training Group B
1000 – 1600 Shimano XTR Di2 Test Course
1100 – 1430 DHI Training Group A
1445 – 1615 DHI Timed Training top 80 M, top 20 W and top 10 JM of latest UCI WC ranking list
1615 – 1645 On foot Inspection – Riders/Teams
1630 – 1800 BUFF® 4X Training
1700 – Team Manager’s Meeting
1815 – 1930 (est.) BUFF® 4X Pro Tour Qualification
Saturday 6 June
0800 – Site Open to Teams
0830 – Site Open to Public
0830 – 1000 DHI Training Group B + BUFF® Whip Comp
0900 – 1530 British Trials Cup & Scottish Biketrial Cup
1000 – 1630 Shimano XTR Di2 Test Course
1015 – 1145 DHI training Group A + BUFF® Whip Comp
1030 – 1230 Scottish Power Youth Mini DH Races
1130 – 1200 Danny MacAskill’s Drop and Roll Tour
1230 – World Cup DHI Qualifying Junior Men
– 1330 Scottish Power Youth Mini DH Races prize giving immediately after Junior Men
1330 –
World Cup DHI Qualifying Elite Women
1400 – World Cup DHI Qualifying Elite Men
1545 – 1600 Awards Ceremony Scottish Biketrial Championship
1600 (est.) 30 mins on foot DHI Inspection – Riders/Teams, after end of qualification
1600 – 1630 Danny MacAskill’s Drop and Roll Tour
1635 (est.) BUFF® 4X Rider intro top 4 women and top 4 men, after end of qualification
1650 – 1750 BUFF® 4X Training
1800 – 1930 (est.) BUFF® 4X Pro Tour – Followed by Awards Ceremony
Sunday 7 June
0800 – Site Open to Teams
0815 – Gondola Open for Riders
0830 – Site Open to Public
0830 – 1000 DHI Training World Cup Finals Starters Junior Men and Women
0900 – 1500 British Trials Cup
1000 – 1330 Shimano XTR Di2 Test Course
1015 – 1145 DHI Training World Cup Finals Starters Men Elite
1115 – 1145 Danny MacAskill’s Drop and Roll Tour
1200 – 1215 DHI Rider Intro Top 5 Qualifying & World Cup Leaders (Elite)
1215 – 1230 Red Bull Matadors
1230 – Men Junior World Cup Downhill Final
1315 – Women World Cup Downhill Final
1400 – Men World Cup Final – Followed by Awards Ceremony
1630 – 1645 (est.) Awards Ceremony British Trials Cup
The Course
Downhill
4X Course
Finish Arena
The place where all of the DH and 4X winners are decided. The DH and 4X share the same finish arena, with good views of the exciting final pitch of the Downhill and most of the 4X.
In the DH the Hot Seat is where the current leader sits – until he/she is ejected by a faster rider. In 4X, first across the line takes all.
Tech Area
The mountain bike equivalent of the Formula One pits with some pretty impressive trailers and workshops. Here is where you will find all the stars getting ready or chilling out waiting for the action to start. Their mechanics and support teams will be working flat out to keep all the bikes in race condition. It’s also your chance to see the latest kit and some components that are still in development, not yet available in your local bike shop.
Expo Area
This is where you’ll find lots of bike goodies for sale, partners and sponsors stands as well as World Cup merchandise for sale.
Food and Drink
It’s thirsty, hungry work watching ultimate mountain bike action, especially if you are walking the courses. If you are out on the courses, remember to stock up with some water and snacks beforehand.
Gondola Top Station – hot meals and snacks plus bar with magnificent views over Lochaber and perfect for catching the new DH start. Top up before walking the length of the Downhill course back to the World Cup Village.
Pinemartin Café at the bottom station – light meals, snacks and drinks.
World Cup Village – Food and Drink Tent – Several different choices of food including snacks and sandwiches, hot takeaway food, including some tasty and healthy Scottish specialities.
DH Race Day – a snack van will be located at the Wall Ride
Nevis Range Gondola
The 6 person Gondola makes Nevis Range the ideal Downhill venue, easily and rapidly transporting riders 525m up on to Aonach Mor. The chance of getting into a Gondola with a top star is high. Please be aware that the seats may be a bit muddy during the World Cup weekend.
Make sure you buy Gondola access when you purchase your ticket as there will only be limited availability to spectators, especially on the Sunday. Tickets with Gondola Access will allow multiple trips on all days except Sunday when the queues may limit you to one trip (subject to availability).
Most of the DH course is directly below the gondola, so you get a bird’s eye view as you travel up and down the gondola.
Dogs are allowed in the gondola (on the floor) but must be kept on a lead at all times during the World Cup weekend. Sheep graze on the upper section of the mountain.
Big Screen
Catch all the action from the live TV coverage on the biggest Big Screen in the UK. 100m2 of high resolution HD image. Between events there will be a constant flow of extreme sports action. The big screen will be situated next to the finish arena.
Grandstands
Also situated in the finish arena will the grandstand with over 750 seats. More than 500 seats are available on a first-come basis and are free to use. Seats cannot be reserved. A section of the grandstand is for VIP access only.
More info at fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk
Images By Sarah Barrett Photography and Dan Hearn