UCI Reveals an Early Preview at the 2024 Race Calendar with the First EDR World Championships

Jul 31, 2023
by Ed Spratt  
UCI

The UCI has unveiled a first look at next year's racing calendar as it publishes the '2024 Major Mountain Bike Events Pre-Calendar.'

Offering a glimpse of what racing we can expect next year the calendar provides the date and approximate locations of the XC, EDR and DH World Cups alongside the details for the World Championships in Vallnord. Interestingly, EDR will have an official World Championships for the first time although it appears this will not be at the same location as XC and DH.

Looking through the dates we can expect nine World Cup races for XC, DH and EDR with XCM having five rounds. While we don't know the exact venues for the races there will be four weekends where DH and EDR will share the same date but a triple header similar to the XC, DH and EDR combo of Leogang this year has not been repeated in 2024.

Interestingly next year will see an increase in international racing for the XC and DH World Cup series. The XC World Cup calendar sees a bump from two rounds outside Europe in 2023 to four in 2024. The downhill World Cup season sees a smaller increase from two to three rounds outside Europe with all three stacked at the end of September/beginning of October. EDR bucks this trend as it sees a smaller global footprint dropping from two rounds outside Europe to just one next year.

Along with World Cup dates the document also includes information on how the European XC Championships, World Champs and the Olympic Games fit into the racing schedule.

You can check out the full document here or see a breakdown of the races below. As this seems like an early version of the 2024 race calendar these dates could be changed by the time we get a final look at the schedule for next year.


XC Racing

XC World Cup - 13-14 April - Outside Europe
XC World Cup - 20-21 April - Outside Europe
XC Marathon World Cup - 27-28 April - Europe
European Championships - 8-12 May - TBC
XC Marathon World Cup - 18-19 May - Europe
Masters World Championships - 16-19 May - Cairns, Australia
XC World Cup - 25-26 May - Europe
XC Marathon World Cup - 25-26 May - Europe
XC World Cup - 1-2 June - Europe
XC Marathon World Cup - 15-16 June - Europe
XC World Cup - 22-23 June - Europe
XC World Cup - 29-30 June - Europe
XC Marathon World Cup - 29-30 June - Europe
Olympic Games - 28-29 July - Paris, France
XC World Cup - 17-18 August - Europe
World Championships - 28 August-1 September - Vallnord
XC World Cup - 21-22 September - Outside Europe
XCM World Championships - 28-29 September - Snowshoe, USA
XC World Cup - 5-6 October - Outside Europe
XCM Masters World Championships - TBC - TBC


DH Racing

DH World Cup - 4-5 May - Europe
DH World Cup - 11-12 May - Europe
Masters World Championships - 16-19 May - Cairns, Australia
DH World Cup - 8-9 June - Europe
DH World Cup - 22-23 June - Europe
DH World Cup - 6-7 July - Europe
DH World Cup - 13-14 July - Europe
World Championships - 28 August-1 September - Vallnord
DH World Cup - 21-22 September - Outside Europe
DH World Cup - 28-29 September - Outside Europe
DH World Cup - 5-6 October - Outside Europe


EDR Racing

EDR World Cup - 27-28 April - Europe
EDR World Cup - 11-12 May - Europe
EDR World Cup - 18-19 May - Europe
EDR World Cup - 1-2 June - Europe
EDR World Cup - 8-9 June - Europe
EDR World Cup - 15-16 June - Europe
EDR World Cup - 29-30 June - Europe
EDR World Cup - 6-7 July - Europe
EDR World Championships - 17-18 August - Europe
EDR World Cup - 28-29 September - Outside Europe



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206 Comments
  • 145 5
 The phrase 'Outside Europe' is telling. I generally refrain from criticising UCI stuff too much but as a European this kind of Euro-centric thinking is embarrassing. I would hope the logic would be more like 'ok we don't have everything planned yet, but lets make sure we have rounds in North America, South America, Asia, Africa etc', instead of 'Europe and not Europe'
  • 67 2
 With a huge number of the top EDR racers being from outside Europe (Melamed, Rude, Verner, Moi Moi etc etc.) you'd think they would try and have some races around the globe like they have in the past. Not only does it allow for new venues or venues that haven't been raced in a while but also allows locals to take a stab at the privateer life without spending thousands. Europeans have it easy in that they can drive to almost every race within a day. Its a complete shame that it is THIS euro-centric. I expect it to be mostly eurocentric but c'mon UCI, do better.
  • 32 1
 @wilsonians: 100% this.

Do better, UCI.
  • 1 0
 It's going to continue too, 2025, the first world champs that will include enduro will be Valais Switzerland.

www.valais2025.ch/en/en
  • 20 5
 That’s down to people who are prepared to organise events at the appropriate level to come forward and organise them. The UCI sanctions event, not organise them, if there are to b3 more rounds outside of Europe then people need to organise them
  • 14 2
 This is a heck of a kick in the teeth to the southern hemisphere venues like Rotorua, Derby, Maydena that have hosted consistently and developed trail systems to suit EWS (not to mention Nelson, which built a lot in anticipation of their first EWS, then had it canceled due to Covid, and rescheduling now looks unlikely).
  • 5 0
 @wilsonians: I'd add a little nuance here. I wonder if the willingness to host an UCI sanctionned event with the size of a DH/EDR WC is the same across the globe (and let's be clear, it's on the UCI also with crap rules and astonishing fees the venues have to follow/pay). I know it has been debated a lot for the past few years, especially regarding NA venues.
That being said, I fully agree that this euro-centric mindset is a bit embarrassing... Combine both and you find yourself with very little variety in the venues... It's all the more a pity that I think every fans, european or not, would be keen on discovering new venues and new talents across the globe Frown
  • 4 0
 @chrismac70: Yes and no. Yes I would agree that venues need to WANT to organize, but UCI also has to want to go there. It goes both ways and it is easier for UCI to have a euro only schedule as well. I pretty much refuse to believe that there are no venues outside Europe that want to host. They are there, otherwise places like Chile or Colombia or Tasmania or Whistler never would have hosted previously.
  • 4 3
 It would be nice for it to sound less "euro-centric" but with many of the major race teams based in Europe its probably hard not to phase things this way.

I would assume that for most of these Europe based teams simply knowing when rounds will be held in Europe vs overseas is quite helpful for planning, even if they don't know exact locations.
  • 4 0
 @chrismac70: @chrismac70: admittedly though, the UCI is not free of resposibility.

They can accomodate a more diverse set of locations by planning the European in a way that allows for more non-european events.

They could be proactive and contact venues that hosted in the past.

They could dedicate more spots in the calendar for non-european events.

plenty of options to make the race calendar more interesting if they wanted to, but there are other things to consider:

higher cost for teams to travel
-> less teams can afford to participate

less viewers on live-streams since viewers are mainly in europe and NA

-

I think there is room for improvement, but seeing the 2024 calendar (at least for dh) already has more spots for non-eu events than this year, i believe it is going in the right direction.
not everything is black and white
  • 19 0
 So hoping one of the 'outside Europe" DH venues is the new 1199 trail in Whistler!!! September would a great month for a race there.
  • 5 1
 @chrismac70: Your post completely ignores the fact that venues have to pay the UCI to host. Most of them will lose money in the process. Not hard to understand why it's not happening.
  • 1 1
 @MarcusBrody: But did they apply to host a WC event?
  • 2 0
 @MarcusBrody: Seems like RedBull is happy to hold events in Southern Hemisphere. I wonder if UCI is purposely avoiding the CrankWorx/RedBull locations.
  • 1 0
 @motts: Masters DH World Champs is in Cairns next year.
  • 1 0
 The April XC ones outside of Europe will be in Arkansas I bet.
  • 2 0
 @Supermoo: I see US Cup has already announced 2024 dates with Arkansas April 3rd-7th (with 2 x XCO races + a short track). I reckon South America might be likely candidate for the April World Cup races
  • 1 0
 @wilsonians: yeah, I'm pretty sure the UCI is receiving lot of millionaire offers around the world and they laugh at them saying: no we don't want the money unless is in euros...
  • 2 0
 @waldo-jpg: I’m sure they could. For all we know this may or may not have happened in private. I would have thought many of the major sponsors would also be keen to see rounds in North America and other major markets. Again we are not privy to any conversations that may or may not have happened in private. I would love to see a much longer calendar with more events and more outside Europe and accept it takes both the uci and potential organiser to accommodate each others needs to make it happen
  • 1 0
 @Aksel31: I’m struggling with the fees argument. If all the European venues can make it stack then I don’t see why those in North America cant make it work.
  • 1 0
 @chrismac70: The only reason a lot of venues can make it work is they get funding from their country's tourism board. Visit Scotland has been funding Fort Bill for years.
  • 3 0
 @chrismac70: See the point of commental. In France for instance, lots of money come from the public administration (from the "regions" and the "departments"). Tbh I don't know how it's managed abroad but I feel like in other countries, many potential venues are left on their own and need to be funded by private sponsors. Also, I have heard (again, I have no proper facts other than strangers' words) that in NA many big resorts are doing already well in the business and do not really see the interest of hosting such events...
By curiosity, I have checked the Ski world cup calendar for 2023/2024 => on 22 rounds (all disciplines), only 4 are outside Europe... I guess it's not only linked to UCI and MTB then
  • 2 1
 @Aksel31: I Suspect you are right. If NA resorts dont want to sponsor an event to improve summer activity use in the resorts then that’s their choice, I just get fed up of everyone saying it’s all the UCIs fault
  • 1 0
 @chrismac70: Yeah well I guess they might play their role in this (again the fees, the rules ...) but in the end, there need to be an interest and a motivation on the other side. And I think in 2min I've found the proof that it might not be exclusively due to the UCI haha Smile
  • 1 0
 @chrismac70: The USA resorts likely lose money to have these sort of events at the resort as they are already booked without all the 'free rooms' they have to give to UCI officials to hold an event. A lot of the Colorado resorts make a s@!t ton of money in the summer as everyone can hike and take the gondola up but not everyone can ski, so summer does very well here.
  • 78 0
 Wow. Such a vast geographic range for the Enduro WORLD Cup.
  • 6 1
 Come on, be more positive: after they made the original list someone said "hey, we need an EDR event outside of Europe, but don't just write a random date at the end of the season with 'outside Europe'"
  • 7 9
 No one is stopping organisers from stepping up and applying to run events. Why don’t resorts in the USA step up and run them like they do in Europe.
  • 7 0
 EDR: European Downduro Racing.
  • 2 2
 How many countries does World Series Baseball goto?
  • 1 0
 @nozes: Man, you know too much. UCI's special forces will come to you to say hello soon. Nice to have met you !
  • 75 1
 European World Series
  • 9 3
 European d-bag series

(the organization, not the racers)
  • 4 3
 Came to say this
  • 5 13
flag jrocksdh (Jul 31, 2023 at 5:59) (Below Threshold)
 It's like F1..if u wna be a comp cyclist u gta be over there.
  • 16 1
 @jrocksdh: well no, Formula 1 visits the Middle East, Australasia, Europe, North America, Central, East and South East Asia and Central and South America.
  • 9 0
 @jrocksdh: like what oatkinso said....


I mean, how many European races does NASCAR hold ever year? lol


This all Euro EDR is really saying the quiet part out loud....the UCI is lazy, greedy and corrupt. The perfect trifecta of qualities you want in a governing body charged with maintaining fairness!!!
  • 7 1
 @jrocksdh: in fairness, you lot call the Super Bowl winners world champions….
  • 4 0
 @oatkinso: sure but if u follow f1 you'll know that to become an f1 driver you gta be in Europe.(carting to pre f1)
  • 1 0
 @Mtbdialed: gwin and lance a few exceptions...recent decades.
  • 2 0
 @Roost66: Are you calling race organizers douchbags? Way to motivate people.
  • 1 0
 @jrocksdh: they just live in Europe (Monaco) to avoid taxes lol
  • 1 0
 @mtnjamscott: well that's after theyve become f1 drivers. Ya not bad place live for millionaire sporting stars(esp single)
  • 1 0
 @kev-jones: same with most usa ball sports..because the teams are comprised of the best of the world.
  • 1 1
 @oatkinso: yeah, and Enduro has even more money than F1, why not send them riders all over the world with cheap flying tickets?
  • 2 0
 @Mtbdialed: Nomits saying the NA resorts dont want to put on an event becuase they don’t see the commercial benefit either from profit for the event directly or from increased mtb tourism in the summer
  • 1 0
 @kev-jones: in fairness, if any other country wants to play real Football, they are more than welcom to!
  • 56 1
 EDR is still a stupid name.
  • 23 1
 It is after spending my life in Engineering Design Reviews i dont want to watch a series deficated to them
  • 19 4
 @Compositepro: I wouldn’t want to watch a series deficated to anything
  • 13 0
 @mjlee2003: hey don’t kink shame.
  • 3 2
 european downduro racing
  • 3 0
 @Compositepro: Deficated, was that intentional?
  • 2 0
 what does it stand for? (sorry, I'm old)
  • 3 0
 @mickwander: EnDuRo. The most logical name when they changed it to Enduro World Cup would have been EWC, but that is already a thing: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIM_Endurance_World_Championship

Alternatively, they did not want to be confused with the European Wax Center en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Wax_Center
  • 2 0
 @mickwander: european downcountry rulez
  • 2 0
 @pisgahgnar: Thanks. All I could come up with was "Electronic Dance Revolution". But I never could keep up with rhythm games.
  • 1 0
 @pisgahgnar: thanks, I was expecting it but wanted to clarify. I wonder why not just leave Enduro? Smile
it also sounds like Electric DR something..
  • 19 0
 Seems like enduro is just going to continue to die out. The appeal to enduro seemed to be that they got to ride so many different places and tracks. Keeping it all in Europe, and doubling up with DH venues is stepping away from that. Seems like a bummer for all the guys racing it.
  • 7 0
 It amazes me that on one hand the UCI have sanctioned the 1st EDR World Champs, then on the other ESO schedule EDR races at the same time and venue as DH races. The EDR race at Leogang went almost unnoticed when it was held mid week in the run up to the WCDH race. All the press was on the DH track and coverage was almost non existent.
  • 4 2
 @commental: IS it the fault of the UCI or the medias if coverage was non existent?

I think enduro is simply much more complicated to cover and if anything the point of mutualizing venue is to facilitate this.
  • 6 0
 @opignonlibre: Neither, it's down to Discovery and ESO who both made grand claims about bringing us live stages and growing the sport. Those things haven't happened and coverage is just getting worse, especially at Leogang, which was the 1st double header.
ESO have bought the events together to make it easier for themselves logistically, if it was done to facilitate better coverage, why is the coverage worse?
  • 1 2
 @commental: Isn't Discovery part of "the medias"? ^_^
  • 2 0
 @opignonlibre: When I said press I was talking more about people like Wyn Masters, Sven Martin and Boris Beyer who would all normally cover EDR, but prioritise DH at the double headers. It's also a little cloudy to talk about Discovery as media when they actually run the series, but yes, they are very much at fault.
  • 4 2
 @commental: Discovery is not running the series. They have a 8 years broadcasting rights contract.

All this discussion only validate the fact that most people complaining of the UCI have no idea what is the scope of the international federation (UCI), affiliated national federations, race organizers, broadcast rights owner and are just bashing UCI because it is fashionable to do so.

UCI is not dictating where Wyn Master, Sven Martin or Boris Beyer choose to cover.

Let's face it, DH is much easier to cover from any media point of view (written, video, audio...). Same difference between rallying and track racing in motorsports. The real weird thing is how road racing is so well covered and popular compared to track racing. But I believe this is simply down on the fact that it serve as countrywide tourism advertising and road racing is mostly showing at people's door instead of waiting for people to come to the venue. Outside of climbing stages in grand tours, most spectators are locals, not even necessarily cycling fans, who just show up because the race is passing close.
  • 2 0
 @opignonlibre: www.mbr.co.uk/news/enduro-sports-organisation-and-discovery-to-run-the-uci-mtb-world-cup-417811
Quote taken directly from the story;
"Together, ESO and Warner Brothers Discovery will be responsible for the organisation of future World Cup events, including media production and broadcast, promotion and commercialisation."
If that's not running it I don't know what it is.
  • 2 0
 @opignonlibre: Also, please show me where I said the UCI were dictating what anyone chooses to cover.
Discovery and ESO made claims about improved coverage and their aim to bring us live stages. No one forced them to make those claims and they've failed miserably.
www.pinkbike.com/news/discovery-inc-invests-in-enduro-world-series-aims-to-begin-live-broadcasts.html
  • 20 0
 Lots of negative comments here (which I mostly agree with sadly), but one positive thing is that at least there will be 9 DH world cup rounds. That's surely the most there's been for literally decades?
  • 6 0
 I also like the more contiguous schedule. The big break in DH this year kinds sucks.
  • 1 0
 Stoked to see more races!
  • 1 0
 @suspended-flesh: looking at the dates the gap is still there with the World Champs in the middle like this year.
  • 1 0
 @DH1977:

Yeah you're right. It just looked better spread out to me. The gap certainly still exists. Here are the 2 seasons with the gap being the Worlds.


2024

May 4-5 - Europe
May 11-12 - Europe
June 8-9 - Europe
June 22-23 - Europe
July 6-7 - Europe
July 13-14 - Europe

September 21-22 - Outside Europe
September 28-29 - Outside Europe
October 5-6 - Outside Europe

2023

June 9-11: Lenzerheide (DH/XCO/XCC)
June 16-18: Leogang, Austria (DH/XCO/XCC)
June 30-July 2: Val di Sole, Italy (DH/XCO/XCC)

August 25-27: Vallnord, Andorra (DH/XCO/XCC)
September 1-3: Loudenvielle, France (DH)
September 7-17: Les Gets, France (DH/XCO/XCC)
September 29-October 1: Snowshoe, USA (DH/XCO/XCC)
October 6-8: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada (DH/XCO/XCC)
  • 22 4
 Racing aspect of our sport has drastically been undermined and wrecked the last year or so. Only thing keeping it alive is the racers who are absolutely the sport. UCI is garbage as well as some of these other companies... I don't mean bike manufacturers.
  • 1 0
 No. It’s the sponsors and event organisers who make it happen, without either of them none of this would happen.
  • 15 0
 Getting bored of the Euro DH tracks. We need more in NA. Not holding my breath for something in South America or Africa.
  • 12 1
 So DH racing outside the US is MSA and snowshoe. Where is the 3rd place? Killington still would make an amazing WC track from the top of the gondola. Basically a better version of the crazy US open track a couple of years ago.
  • 19 0
 1199 track? Something in Tennessee or Western NC, a DH South East track? Kamikaze DH.
  • 13 1
 Snowshoe, MSA and Whistler
  • 5 0
 @TinoK: Will they be smart with the weather and schedule it in this order: MSA, Whistler, Snowshoe? Absolutely not.
  • 2 0
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: 1199 and NC would be sweet. Would need some existing infrastructure to get the racers up. Really anything other than more European fire road or ski trails would be a win.
  • 3 0
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: 1199 should definitely be a UCI track and Whistler should be on the schedule every year. TN I am not sure Windrock or West NC Rock Creek are up to snuff for a World Cup. Windrock is probably closer to being possible than rock creek but still I am iffy on it. And that is coming from someone who has ridden and watched races at both. I love rock creek and what Neko has done on such a small mountain is nothing short of amazing but still not 100% it is world cup level. Snowshoe is still the best in the south east so I would imagine it will stay there for the forseeable future.

I have never ridden there but Killington VT or there has to be somewhere on the west coast that can host too. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in.
  • 5 1
 I think its fort bill
  • 3 0
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: The big question is whether Whistler wants to put in a bid to host a World Cup event. Similarly, Killington definitely has the facilities to host, but again - do they want to spend the money? Having talked to some of the organizers of the Windham events, it's a lot of money and a lot of work for questionable investment return. Does Whistler "need" to host, from a promotional POV? Not at all, really. Killington? Maybe... but I'm sure anyone on their staff considering it has talked to the Windham folks about the pros and cons.
  • 4 0
 Resurrect the 94' Downhill at Vail
  • 8 0
 Killington, NorthStar, lots of great land out in CO, UT, NM, ID, OR.. almost like the rockies get ignored.
  • 1 0
 @noodlewitnosteeze: it’s such a bummer
  • 5 1
 @noodlewitnosteeze : This. The Euro tracks are all in massive mountain ranges and the US has events in the thills back East. I know the tracks back East are gnarly, but a race in real mountains (Rockies, Cascades or Sierras) could rival the hardest tracks in Europe. God knows those resort towns can handle 10s of thousands of ski tourists all winter, I'm sure they could handle a WC event.
  • 1 2
 @noodlewitnosteeze: The mountains have to want it - it's not all up to the UCI.
  • 2 0
 @suspended-flesh: Sure - seeing that schedule though it makes you wonder if the UCI has even inquired about it though.
  • 2 0
 @noodlewitnosteeze: usually venues reach out if they want to host not the other way around. And the UCI is so high on themselves they would never reach out on their own they assume everyone knows and wants what they offer.
  • 3 1
 @noodlewitnosteeze: Venues approach the UCI with a proposal to host, not the other way round.
  • 2 0
 @suspended-flesh: Sorry, meant to hit the green arrow.
  • 3 0
 @commental: Thanks for clearing that up - I had a call into my therapist's office to work through it later. Smile
  • 1 0
 @commental: Ah, didn't realize. Now to start sending hundreds of letters to Park City council until I get a cease and desist.
  • 2 0
 @motts: The hardest DH track in the world (by a fair margin) is built in the mountains of Wales. If only we could convince them to care enough, plenty of Vermont bike parks could build monsters of tracks using existing lift infrastructure and the gnarly natural terrain they're blessed with
  • 1 0
 @Muggsly: whistler doesn’t want to be on the schedule. I’m sure they could be but they probably get enough mtb tourism already not to want to bother
  • 2 2
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: Go and ask the resort owners why they dont do it then rather than just blame the UCI
  • 3 0
 @chrismac70: I have heard that before and I also heard it was because of the ridiculous cost of running a UCI event which is unfortunate because watching crankworks on the 1199 trail was just amazing and easily one of the coolest tracks in NA if not the coolest track. Unfortunately the UCI is too high on their supply to ever understand the importance of things like that.
  • 17 3
 Still focused on wrecking it eh UCI?
  • 9 0
 Unless it's road/the Tour, UCI gives close to zero sh*ts about MTB other than the amount of money they can squeeze from it. XC is maybe the only thing they even pretend to care about. F the UCI
  • 3 2
 @bman33: Yes they give so little shit they just announced more venues for DH and XC next year.
  • 2 0
 @opignonlibre: see the above statement about squeezing money out of the sport. DH in particular is a second class discipline for them. In almost all situations they make it difficult for both spectators, promoters /venues and participants. Endless evidence of the last few decades to back that up.
  • 2 2
 @bman33: These are just broad statements, not evidences.
  • 11 0
 Enduro World Series with essentially all events in Europe... brilliant move, UCI. As if the non-existent TV/streaming coverage wasn't ruining the sport enough already.
  • 4 3
 Did any US organizer applied?

I mean it is nice and all to criticize UCI but UCI has federations all over the world and it is up to the organizer to raise their arm and apply for an event.
  • 6 0
 The enduro calender makes no sense whatsoever. 8 races in 10 weeks, then a 6 week wait for world champs, then another 6 week wait for the final round. I'm happy to see that number of races, but waiting that much for the last two is completely pointless.
  • 6 0
 Being from Western North Carolina, I love the idea of the UCI DH North American leg starting in SnowShoe, to Killington and ending at MSA. But, that leaves out the entire Rocky Mtn region and BC area, not to mention South America. Mix it up, start some seasons outside of Europe and have the finials in Europe some seasons. Maybe sign tracks/resorts for every other year contracts. East Coast and West Coast alternate years in the US.
  • 1 4
 Go and ask the resorts why they don’t apply to host an event
  • 5 0
 Don't flame me here.... Because it's honestly a genuine question.

But when you consider the infrastructure of a gondola system needed, are there that many other locations that can host a DH World Cup... For example lets say South Africa or NZ ? Do they actually have somewhere appropriate they could theoretically get that many riders to the top quickly enough time and time again... Becuase really doing it with a van/trailer uplift isn't really going to fly is it ?
  • 5 0
 They had a race at Lourdes with their weird and slow lift system. Even a place like Rock Creek (which is too short of track to host a world cup) can easily do 400 an hour with shuttles.
  • 3 0
 @pisgahgnar: They did and people waited 2+ hours in the queue, it was a complete sh1t show.
  • 8 0
 @weeksy59: plenty of gondala access riding in nz. Roto, Christchurch, multiple spots in and around qt. Don't see why it couldn't work here
  • 3 0
 The had that Croatia races a few years back, no lift. The South Africa races years ago had trucks for the lift as well.
  • 1 0
 @pisgahgnar: RC looks better than Vigo of the 00’s
  • 7 0
 @bman33: No lifts in Lousã,which,just a tight mountain road. Worked great.
  • 2 1
 @weeksy59: There's tons of infrastructure in the US. I'd say 50-100 ski resorts in the Western US that already have summer bike parks with lifts capable of thousands of rider laps a day surrounded by hotels and condos that house 10s of thousands of skiers in the winter. All the resorts near me already hold fairly large events in the summer, concerts, food festivals, etc. Park City hosted the Olympics, WC would be easy.
  • 4 0
 @motts: Problem is most of the US resorts/promoters have little to no interest in paying the UCI (bribes) the exorbitant fees and accomodations required to hold a WC race. Lived in Colorado from 2010 -2020 and spoke with a few folks at or near leadership at the resorts and they can back that up. They just don't need to publicity, especially at UCI prices. Many of the Western resorts most likley fall into that category.
  • 3 0
 @bman33: Yeah, I was just responding to the infrastructure question that was presented. US definitely has infrastructure, just not the motivation or need for exposure, apparently.
  • 3 1
 @bman33: also, going through the EA/NEPA process for a world cup-worthy DH track would probably take a least two years in the US.

EA = environmental assessment
NEPA = National Environmental Policy Act
  • 2 0
 @pmhobson: Good point. I know many mountain resorts in Colorado at least on on leased land from the Forest Service and any new trails or major updates require lenghty process for approval.
  • 1 0
 Not only the track and the uplift system, they need to be able to get there with all their shit for starters. Hence the long Euro leg, Plus you need to house them, plus the staging space for pits. Maybe we could do in QT before the council bulldozes the rugby field in the middle of town. But you wouldn't find any beds.
  • 1 2
 @Benzelas: Ask the park owners and tourism boards why they dont want to
  • 1 2
 @motts: So ask the resorts why they dont want to host a race
  • 8 1
 Q: How many UCI executives does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: ONE. They hold it and the the mountain bike world revolves around them.
  • 6 1
 People are quick to criticize, as is usual in most aspects of life, however, there are some easy to understand reasons why the schedule is far from inter-continental.

As many here have pointed out, the venues have to apply pro-actively.
This leads us to ask what would convince a venue to apply (or not), and that is likely to be based (wholly possibly) on a Cost-benefit analysis of running an event.

Being confident, in the face of a) increasing 'extreme weather events' that are becoming more frequent and b) the increase in the cost of travel both to athletes, their teams and the spectators, we should not be surprised that there are fewer venues outside the well-established ones willing to take the significant risks associated with submitting a proposal, nor the governing body wanting to potentially reduce the number of athletes/teams that can afford to take part in every round.

Does it reduce the meaning of the "world" from World Cup? Of course.

Is it possible to do anything about it? Not easily unless there is a very wealthy series sponsor or TV deal that cab support the applications of less well established venues?
And given how often off-road events can be affected by external factors, that is going to be challenging.

Anyways, it only stops your enjoyment of the sport if you let it.
  • 6 0
 Shame the Euro-centric enduro calendar has overshadowed the more positive news that there are nine WC DH rounds next year. Plus World Champs.
  • 4 0
 Yes it is up to venues to apply for hosting a World Cup round. HOWEVER, if the UCI wasn’t so f*cked to the point where venues have to pay them to host perhaps more resorts in NA would be willing to toss their name in the hat. Just saying, between the US and Canada alone we could have an entire DH series that easily rivals anything in Europe
  • 1 7
flag chrismac70 FL (Aug 1, 2023 at 5:18) (Below Threshold)
 But you don’t. Why not? Could it be because the resorts don’t ant to do it?
  • 1 0
 @chrismac70: because most of them would lose money in hosting a UCI round due to 1) paying dumb UCI fees and 2) most ski resorts generate a large portion of their income from food + beverage not running lifts. During the summer months, they often don’t have the staff (because J1 visas end) to adequately operate lodges/restaurants so they would lose money on operations as well
  • 2 0
 3 races 'outside Europe' on back to back weekend has me hopeful for MSA, Snowshoe and 1199! Would also make sense that the EDR is racing on the same weekend Sept 28,29 as they could also be running the race again in Whistler. Fingers crossed for the long shot but that would be fucking sick and I would def make a road trip for that!
  • 1 0
 XCM world champs is at Snowshoe on the 28-29, I'm not sure if snowshoe would go back to back weekends? I guess they have done double headers during the pandemic though. 5-6 Oct is either Snowshoe or MSA since there is also XC that weekend. I doubt they would do a new XC and new DH course on the same weekend in North America.
  • 1 0
 1199 will be earliest 2025 I think but will definitely come.
  • 4 0
 Since I'm mostly interested in DH I'll just say one more race outside of europe is a step in the right direction, albeit albeit a small one
  • 4 2
 So please tell me how this is a "World" Championship? As if it's not tough enough for Americans to go over and throw their hat in the mix on the World stage. I think this is lame when there are so many good venues in the states and Canada. Come on UCI.
  • 1 3
 How many countries does World Series baseball goto?
  • 1 0
 I'm sure there are teams that will be happy with it mostly being a European calendar. I can't imagine teams would have the budget to fly around the world to different countries hosting the next round. Also, not being able to have the consistency of familiar team pits can't help with race performance. All teams working out of easy ups must suck.
  • 1 0
 Exactly, it's crazy people here cannot get their heads around this. The Enduro world Cup is run in Europe cuz it's the only way to do it. Unless some place is willing to pay travelling cost like Tasmania it's not going to happen. There is not enough money in Enduro to make all these dreams of having a world Series to happen.
  • 1 0
 This is a testimate to the uci ruining the sport this the the best in the world but only I Europe? There should be a major event in every continent and every soil type and Whistler dh track is the best track on earth why would we not go there and go to flat snow shoe, why not Colorado. Utah Oregon
  • 6 2
 UCI has ruined streaming, now they gonna ruin Enduro. UCI only care about one thing: money!
  • 5 0
 There's so much more to Enduro racing than Europe. Wtaf.
  • 4 1
 Not according to Mr Ball, sorry.
  • 1 1
 Would be cool to have Laguna in the mix someday..although summer is technically our off season..oh and the lil part about most of the trails never being fully adopted by oc parks/state lol
  • 1 0
 Anyone know how much it cost to host an event? And is the cost justified? What is the itemized list for each expense?

Then we can figure out why it’s a Euro Cup with a sprinkle of N.A., Australia, South Africa.

Also wasn’t the premise of EWS to not have UCI involved. And now that they are involved, it’s back to being a Euro Race. No South America. No other counties. I almost think it’s more of euro-centric corruption.
  • 1 0
 About EDR because I see the other disciplines have a smarter calendar. Are there morons in the UCI? For 5 weeks, every weekend? June and early July. End of season in September, early, very early. After all, if someone crashes, he loses practically the whole season. They can let the rest go.
And of course practically only Europe. Uci grandparents don't like other directions and Enduro in general? EWS not some dumb EDR name.
  • 1 0
 Surely, the biggest factor in there being so many races in Europe is the travel costs. How many racers, outside of the factory teams, could actually afford to go to races outside of mainland Europe?
I was at the World Champs in Fort Bill, and rode up in the gondola on the Thursday morning with a junior rider from Australia, on his first trip to Europe and racing as a privateer. He was getting some support from the Australia team, but flights cost his parents over 4k.

On the subject of venues, I’ve heard that there might not be a round at Fort Bill in 2024 or in the near future.
  • 5 1
 Can we please just agree to call it Enduro and not EDR? :-)
  • 3 0
 It's too early to just casually use EDR, I had no idea what the hell it was.
  • 1 0
 Is the "One WC per country" thing a hard and fast rule or just a desirable?
I.e. Would 1199 have to mean leaving MSA out of it? Or do it only when one of those hosts the World Champs?
  • 2 0
 There are WCDH rounds both in France (on consecutive weekends) this year. Loudenville and Les Gets.
  • 1 0
 @commental: Oh yeah. I notice it's DH only. I wonder if they are more protective with their main love - XC
  • 3 0
 I’ve paid for the GCN+ to watch the World Cup.

Once again not sure where to watch world championship.
  • 2 0
 This Euro-Centric calendar gives Crankworx a great opportunity to further grow the prestige and quality of talent within their racing events. Silver linings.
  • 2 1
 Really. Didn’t look that way at whistler. Virtually none of the top DH or enduro riders turned up
  • 1 1
 They can add all the races they want or not.. still nobody paying Discover+ or whatever service it is to watch DH racing. They could hire Warner and I'd still not watch it. I tried watching a few YouTube clips of the first race and they have turned the courses into magic video games with all the ridiculous signage on the side of the track. RedBull had the event and broadcast dialed . Oh well.
  • 1 0
 I wish I could post a picture of a polish registration page here, it's shambolic that it's even an option. You want formula 1 money, but you provide regional level support and prize money. What a fuckin shambles.
  • 5 5
 Hopefully most of the races will carefully planned to reduce flights, which could be easily done since most races are in Europe. About time UCI act at least a little bit environmental responsibility.
  • 2 0
 Planned to reduce cost*
  • 1 0
 @Endurip Really? There are PLENTY other ways to help the environment rather than centralizing a world wide sport in a single continent!!
  • 1 0
 We already have Snowshoe (USA) confirmed, so think won´t be any other there. More chances to have it back in Brazil or South America. Let´s hope, pray and wait!
  • 2 1
 Don't think people grasp this sport isn't made of money and can't be flying around the world every other week. Three rounds outside of Europe is a nice balance.
  • 1 0
 Enduro can easily have more races in the Southern Hemisphere. Way less organising & more flexible than the DH & XC events.
Really disappointing…
  • 2 0
 They just made this european EDR calendar so that youngster can pedal to every round haha
  • 3 4
 Enduro should follow the example of EnduroGP & Hard Enduro......and have the World championship over the season. It's not a sport suited to one event to decide a world championship.....
  • 5 0
 They do it’s called the World Cup.

A lot of sports tend to have a series then a one off event that acts as a ‘world champs’ Enduro has the ISDE, MX has the MXoN etc.

At these one off events you get competitors from countries who normally may not qualify for the World Cup races.
  • 2 0
 I bet it’s killington or Burke.
  • 6 0
 Hope like hell it is.

I bet it’s fort bill.
  • 3 0
 It's Maine I am told. Sugarloaf I am guessing.
  • 1 0
 @mcleodpulaski: oh. I did hear that as well.
  • 2 0
 Looks like they got rid of the month off of dh so that's good.
  • 1 0
 Wasn't there a point to that month off though? Allowing racers to go to regionals before world champs.
  • 1 0
 @bweller81: not sure..stateside dh races march may and sep right...?
Didnt they used to have an earlier dh race than june then a month off til next
  • 1 0
 August
  • 1 0
 The time off is still there, before and after the World Champs.
  • 1 0
 For the DH schedule.
  • 2 1
 I’d enduro isn’t dead after this summer it definitely will be after next summer!
  • 1 0
 *If
  • 2 0
 So all races September 28th-29th Snowshoe‽
  • 2 0
 We need more DH races, 10/12
  • 3 1
 WE need more, but many of the athletes are barely sponsored in terms of salary, air-fares, hotels, etc etc... So whilst we as viewers want more.. it'll be logistically very challenging for many of the riders. What they need is some of the money to come fluttering down out from the new sponsors, new advertisers, new money coming into the sport, but lets face it, that's pretty bloody unlikely for them Frown
  • 2 0
 It's more than this year; 9 races in 2023, 10 in 2024.
  • 1 0
 @toast2266: I think that’s about perfect, but we will see how msa is in October this year.
  • 1 0
 @weeksy59: spot on. The costs for teams/riders goes up with every race but no more funding comes in. It’s going to take a lot of new money, plus setting the schedule a few years ahead of time, before it goes truly World Cup
  • 1 2
 @weeksy59: Those who will actually be in the top 20 are well funded to do a whole series. The rest are there to get a place on the elite teams
  • 3 1
 Outside Europe is the place to be!
  • 2 0
 ...and we are still putting Worlds in the middle of the season. Sigh,
  • 1 0
 I think it's Euros not Worlds lol. Just kidding I hear what you're saying.
  • 2 1
 They changed EWS to EDR knowing they would get shit on for having nothing outside Europe..
  • 2 0
 my vote is. North American enduro cup is the only race that matters
  • 2 0
 5 back to back weekends of edr races seems a bit rough on the athletes
  • 2 0
 At least they don't have to travel across the world to get to different events.
  • 2 1
 No 4X world champs again? UCI continue to f&*k the s%^t out of 4x, absolute wombles
  • 2 0
 At least I get to wake&bake for every race. Nice
  • 4 3
 Why a JOKE UCI, shame on YOU
  • 1 0
 *what
  • 1 0
 No Whistler next year then, fingers crossed for 2025.
  • 2 0
 It could be the additional “outside Europe” stop, no?
  • 1 1
 I wouldnt hold your breath. What makes you think the resort wants to host it.
  • 1 0
 Yeah I know what you mean... but the resort are 100% about money - if they think it will bring in more than it costs to host it then I'm sure they would be interested.
  • 1 0
 Whistler ain't gonna dump a bunch of money into a UCI race tbh. They get plenty of money from tourism and the CW series.
  • 1 0
 FUCI The new 4 letter word
  • 1 0
 How do I apply to race in a country "outside Europe"
  • 1 0
 I miss the EWS...
  • 1 0
 Enduro Europe series.
  • 1 4
 When does it become 'Too Much Racing'?
  • 9 0
 10 races compared to motocross and F1 schedules seems pretty chill actually.
  • 2 0
 @Longroadtonowhere: 10 seems about right.







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