Following recent events in America, the organizers of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships have cancelled all festivities that were organized to accompany the event, but have vowed that the racing will continue.

“This is obviously not a time for parties,” explained Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. “However, it is most certainly a time for solidarity. A small microcosm of the world has gathered here for these Championships. The athletes want to compete, the community wants us to continue and this can be one small place where the world is together at this difficult time. We need to recognize this and come together for these athletes”

The British team will be hoping for some good results at the championships following Oli Beckingsale’s win in the 4stages in 3days, “Plate Bridge Station” Stage Race in Colorado last weekend. National MTB champion Beckingsale, who was strongly assisted by Barrie Clark, Nick Craig and Caroline Alexander, took the race by the scruff of the neck on the second day with a strong second place in the mountain time-trial.

The win is all the more impressive when one considers he beat established euro road race pros Kevin Livingston and Jonathon Vaughters on their home turf. Keep an eye on BIKEmagic for forthcoming results from the championships.

In other international MTB news, the UCI has announced the dates of next season’s world cup events.

UCI 2002 World Cup Dates:
May 18-19 – CROSS-COUNTRY1 – Europe
May 25-26 – CROSS-COUNTRY2 – Europe
June 1-2 – DOWNHILL/DUAL1 – Europe
June 8-9 – CROSS-COUNTRY3/DOWNHILL/DUAL2 – Europe
June 29-30 – CROSS-COUNTRY4/DOWNHILL/DUAL3 – America
July 6-7 – CROSS-COUNTRY5/DOWNHILL/DUAL4 – America
July 13-14 – DOWNHILL/DUAL5 – Asia
24 Aug – 1 Sept – WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Kaprun, Austria
Sept 7-8 – CROSS-COUNTRY/DOWNHILL/DUAL6 – Europe

Further Information can be found at:
www.uci.ch/english/mtb