Organisers of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup have confirmed the award-winning event will return to Fort William for a tenth year in 2011, confirming its status as one of the biggest and best celebrations of cycle sport in the World.

Around 18,000 fans and families attended this year’s event on 5th and 6th June, where the mix of adrenaline-packed mountain biking, entertainment, sunshine and live ‘rock & roll’ made for a memorable weekend in the Scottish Highlands.

While the 2010 event provided an estimated £2.4 million boost for the Highlands region, the World Cup has generated a total economic impact of £16.5 million since its inception in 2002.

Planning is now already underway for the 2011 event on 4th and 5th June, when hundreds of world-class riders are set to return to the scenic slopes of Aonach Mor and the Nevis Range, just outside Fort William.

Mike Jardine of Rare Management said: “Once again the fans, an upgraded course that is a global benchmark and the Highland weather inspired an amazing show from the world’s best riders. The excitement and enjoyment of the whole weekend was capped by a thrilling win from Britain’s Gee Atherton in the men’s downhill, with sister Rachel Atherton taking second in the women’s event. The perfect result for one of the best events since the World Cup circus first rolled into Fort William in 2002.

“After nine years of hosting the World Cup, Fort William has firmly established itself on the UCI Mountain Bike calendar and we look forward to celebrating a decade of the event with some special plans already in the pipeline for next year’s tenth anniversary.”