The world’s top mountain biking stars descend on Fort William, Scotland this weekend (5/6 June) for the latest round of the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup.
Preparations are underway for a weekend of DH and 4X action on the scenic slopes of Aonach Mor. 300 professional riders will be taking part and one of them is South African Greg Minnaar, who is leading the World Cup Downhill series this year and holds the record for the course of 4 minutes 38 seconds.
British talent will be battling it out against the international stars with Sheffield born Steve Peat, family outfit Gee, Dan and Rachel Atherton and Scots downhillers Ruaridh Cunningham and Ben Cathro all aiming to secure podium places in front of the home crowds.
In between the sporting action, this year’s event features a host of other activities in and around the World Cup Village, including the Saracen Dirt Jump Air Bag, where spectators can pull stunts in a safe environment, and, in keeping with this year’s Downhill Rock and Roll theme, live music from Dirty Modern Hero – an Edinburgh band who won the chance to play in front of the Fort William crowd.
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer of national events agency EventScotland said: “Fort William is the perfect stage for the annual UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. Riders and fans love the courses and the action; this year’s event will be another highpoint for this sport which continues to attract new audiences.”
Last year’s event attracted 18,500 spectators, generated £2.5 million for the local economy and was attended by nearly 200 media from around the world.
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