Fort William is ready to put on another top event as the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup explodes on the small town this weekend, running from 6-8 June.

Scotland’s Ruaridh Cunningham, junior World DH Champion, is set to return to the scene of last year’s victory. Other British interest in the DH includes multiple World Cup winners Steve Peat and Tracy Moseley, and Silver medallist in the 2007 World Championships Rachel Atherton.

There’ll be added interest in Britain’s top XC riders of course, with the Olympics rapidly approaching. Commonwealth gold medallist Liam Killeen and silver medallist Oli Beckingsale will be setting their sights high, but will be pushed hard by the young up-and-coming riders including Hamish and Ross Creber, Alex Paton, David Fletcher and Ian Bibby.

Event organiser Mike Jardine says: “The crowds are what makes Fort William special, so we’re all looking forward to a great turn-out of the best fans in the world to cheer on more than 500 riders from 35 countries.”

There will be a number of changes to this year’s event, including a move of the 4X event to Friday evening, a full programme of big screen action and some very unusual entertainment. Fort William will rock on Saturday evening with the biggest mountain bike party in the UK, the famous Party in the Fort.

To book your tickets for the Mountain Bike World Cup go to www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk. Weekend passes available from £40.