After a long season of mountain bike racing, the UCI has voted Nove Mesto Na Morave, La Bresse and Fort William the best venues of 2011.

Riders, UCI Mountain Bike teams, media, sponsors and UCI officials voted for the best events of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, a trophy awarded to the organiser behind the best downhill, cross-country and four-cross event.

Fort William was chosen to be the best four-cross event of the season. Ten years of World Cupsand  World Championships has seen Fort William rise as the most popular four-cross event, with a new track this year providing a platform for great racing.

Val di Sole, which in 2008 hosted the Mountain Bike World Championships, was also well liked and took second place. The Austrian resort of Leogang in third place is creating a buzz with its permanent track, designed by the German Four-cross rider, Guido Tschugg.

Taking the trophy for the best cross-country event was Nove Mesto Na Morave in the Czech Republic, which became part of the World Cup calendar for the first time this year.

“The perfect organisation, great TV production and enthusiastic crowds, with as a cherry on the cake the win of the national hero Jaroslav Kuhlavy, had many considering the event as the best in years,” said the UCI.

Offenburg, Germany was lauded as one of the most technical courses of the series and came in second place ahead of last year’s elected winner, the Yorkshire Dalby Forest, UK.

In the final category, La Bresse, France won the coveted downhill award, voted best downhill event of the season.

“The smooth organisation, unique atmosphere and the thousands of spectators that turned out for this event ensured its popularity within the mountain bike community. The short, old school track which renders tight results was also cited,” said the UCI.

Last year’s winner, the well established Fort William, also proved popular in second place, noted for its great loud, big and boisterous crowd and long demanding track. The small ski resort three hours north of New York City, Windham (USA), took third place with a particular mention for the excellent organisation as well as the welcome and enthusiasm of the local population and its local community support/work.