A milestone in the history of English sport is reached this weekend with the first ever staging of the UCI Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup in Dalby Forest.

The massive event is the opening round in this year’s global competition which also takes in venues such as Offenburg, Germany, Val di Sole, Italy, and Windham, USA.

Teams have overcome the massive travel disruption caused by the erupting volanco with the field including the world’s elite bikers, many of whom jetted in to Madrid and Frankfurt before taking trains, ferries and cars to make it to the North York Moors.

A huge tented village has been built on the Adderstone Field in the 8,600 acre woodland, near Pickering, famous for being the venue of mega open air gigs. TV trucks, a giant screen, grandstands, media centre, demo arena and team areas throng the site, with the Forestry Commission expecting over 5,000 spectators to witness ther action.

Alan Eves, Forest Management Director with the Forestry Commission, said:“The waiting is over and we are now on the verge of a sensational weekend of World Cup racing in the heart of the North York Moors.  Pickering and Dalby will be the place to be whether you plan to watch high speed street racing, have a go at the Dalby Dare, or witness truly thrilling action in the forest provided by the world’s best riders.”

Friday 23 April: evening sprint road race around Pickering town centre. The Pro Sprint Eliminator will involve over 100 riders battling for a big cash prize.

Saturday 24 April: Dalby Forest – Junior World Cup followed by the ‘Dalby Dare’ where the public will have an opportunity to challenge the World Cup course ahead of the elite riders.

Sunday 25 April: Elite Men’s and Women’s World Cup events – the climax of a fabulous weekend.