All the World Cup events take place in or around the Nevis Range ski area and the Leanachan Forest, 9km from Fort William.
All events are ticketed. Tickets can be purchased online here
Who can compete?
Anyone with a minimum of 20 UCI points (gained in other UCI registered races) can enter the DHI World Cup. In 4X, UCI points are not required.
All entries have to go through the national association, except in the case of competitors with UCI registered Trade Teams.
For British riders the full qualification criteria and application forms are found here.
Click here to see the courses located on Google Earth.
DH – Downhill
Event Coverage from Fort William,
Scotland 2008
from NissanSportsAdventure on Vimeo.
The Downhill Schedule
The World Cup will climax with the Downhill events on the Sunday, on the slopes of Aonach Mor (pronounced Anach More). Please note that Downhill qualification will take place on the Saturday, before the 4X Finals.
Friday 5 June
0830 - 1430
DHI Training
1445 - 1615
DHI Training, top 80 Men & top 20 Women (non stop, timed)
Saturday 6 June
0830 - 1130
DHI Training
1130 - 1300
DHI Training, top 80 Men & Top 20 Women (non stop,timed)
DH and The World Cup Course The Downhill is a full-on, flat-out, no-compromise charge down the face of Aonach Mor, the 9th highest mountain in the UK. Riders need physical strength, quick reflexes, superb bike control and an unerring eye for the right line as they speed down the 2.8km long course. And a lot of bottle!
The permanent Nevis Range Downhill track was modified and extended for the World Championships in 2007 and it is this course that will be used for the World Cup. Starting beside the top station of the gondola it descends 555m, making it one of the longest and toughest courses on the circuit.
Most of the course is visible from the gondola (the mountain cableway used for skiing in the winter, which provides access for riders with bikes and spectators), giving great views of riders as they charge down below you.
The fast top section of the course is framed by stunning views of Ben Nevis, the sea lochs of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, and the islands of the Inner Hebrides. Rock gardens, rock slabs, big jumps and technical natural sections will provide plenty of challenges all the way to the magnificent finish section and the incredible noise of the best spectators in the world.
Spectator access
Most of the DH course is accessible although the middle section has more restrictions, so always follow the marked routes. The exciting Wall near the finish and the entry to the 4-Cross are easily accessible. Look out for the new features and jumps on the Downhill course.
The DH stars
Most of the World’s top downhill riders have won a Fort William World Cup – Chris Kovarik(AUS), Cedric Gracia (FRA), Greg Minnaar (RSA) 2 times, Steve Peat (GBR) and Sam Hill (AUS) in the men’s event and Tracy Moseley (GBR) 4 times, Celine Gros (FRA) and Anne Caroline Chausson (FRA) in the women’s competition.
Britain is one of the most powerful nations in Downhill, with 3 reigning World Champions aiming to add a Fort William win to their World title. Step forward the incredible Gee Atherton and Rachel Atherton, the brother and sister pair that ripped up the course at the 2007 World Championships in Val di Sole. Junior Gold medallist Josh Bryceland will also be looking to make his mark at Fort William.
There is huge strength and depth to the UK challenge, with two Britons in the top 5 Men’s overall World Cup rankings - Gee Atherton (2nd) and downhill legend Steve Peat in 4th and another four in the top 30, including leading Junior on the circuit.
The UK has two contenders in the Women’s World Cup top 5, Rachel Atherton in 1st and multi Fort William winning Tracy Moseley 2nd. Another 3 Brits are in the top 20, all battling for a home win on the slopes of Aonach Mor.
The competition will be as fierce as ever and in the tough world of downhill, absolutely no-one can predict who will deliver that faultless run on the day - but having so many top ranked UK riders will ensure some super loud cheering on Sunday
4X and the World Cup course The 4X format aims to bring the key features of downhill mountain biking into a short head to head race that is gladiatorial in character and incredibly exciting to watch. Four riders start together and battle down a custom built course of berms, jumps, step-ups and other testing features. The two fastest proceed to the next round, knock-out style, until the ultimate winner is crowned.
In 2002 Fort William held the very first UCI 4X World Cup. Eight years later and the course has been doubled in length to create one of the most amazing and atmospheric sporting arenas on the planet. Fans will be picking their spot during the day, ready for the evening finals.
A major realignment of the middle section of the course should increase the speed, height of jumps and overtaking opportunities.
The 4X stars Spain’s Rafael Alvarez de Lara Lucas was the dominant force in the 2008 season, winning both the World Championships and the World Cup overall standings. He was pushed hard by Dan, the third member of the Atherton family. Dan might have joined siblings Gee and Rachel with a gold medal if he hadn’t been sidelined with an injury mid season.
In the women’s competition Melissa Buhl (USA) is World Champion, whilst Anneke Beerten (NED) took the World Cup title.
All 4X riders have the explosive energy needed to move ahead in sprints, fearless commitment in the jumps and a natural ability to choose a line that puts them in front of their competitors. There have been some similarities with BMX racing in the past, but courses are becoming rougher and more technically challenging to retain the mountain bike element.
As well as Dan Atherton, the leading Brit men are Scott Beaumont, Lacey Lewis and Will Longden in the top 20 with Fionn Griffiths ranked 5th on the women’s tour.
Trials schedule The World Cup has always had a Trials presence in the Village, showcasing the amazing skill and technique of the guys who can make their bikes do ridiculous things in, over and around some impressive obstacles.
In 2007 The World Trials Championships were held here and the best riders in the World were impressed with the natural and artificial sections that Fort William can offer.
On Saturday and Sunday of the World Cup some of these sections will be used for a round of the British Trials Championships. Look out for some amazing displays of pure bike control and athleticism on rocks, logs, pipes, barrels and vehicles.
