About the Event
The UCI MTB Cross-country World Championships return to Scotland for the first time since 2007, when they were contested in Fort William alongside the MTB Downhill Championships. However, this is the first time that they have been held in the Tweed Valley with the iconic home of Scottish mountain biking, Glentress, laying down the course for the world’s best riders to contest the rainbow jerseys. Scotland has a rich heritage of MTB events, having played host to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 European Championships at Cathkin Braes in Glasgow. With five days of racing at Glentress, and five different types of MTB cross-country, it’s a packed schedule and there is something for everyone – with races from 20 minutes up to 100km across the week.
The week kicks off with the Cross-country Marathon Championships, a 100km test of skill and stamina – a race not just for the Elite categorised riders. With over 190 riders between the Men’s and Women’s races in Denmark last year, it will be a true spectacle to watch. New Zealand’s Sam Gaze will be looking to defend his rainbow stripes while the incredibly talented and multiple world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot is the reigning women’s Champion for Marathon. Last year Britain’s Annie Last was just edged into silver in a battle for the line so home interests could be high in this race.
The Cross-country Short Track is a thrilling format – short, fast, and furious races that last just 20 minutes and are full gas from start to finish. It’s a large pack of riders, going wheel to wheel and there are always exciting features, technical climbs and crashes as riders push themselves to the limit. Showing their prowess at both ends of the endurance spectrum, it is again Sam Gaze and Pauline Ferrand Prevot who are the reigning World Champions. This is where we could see British riders going for the titles, with Evie Richards and Tom Pidcock both highly-experienced and skilled Short Track racers.
The Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) races are what most would know as the traditionally popular format of MTB XC racing. These races feature multiple laps of approximately 15 minutes with a total race time of about an hour and a half from a bunch start to potentially a sprint finish after brutal racing on technical, hilly, rocky and rooty terrain. With 10 XCO World Championship titles under his belt, reigning champion Nino Schurter will be looking to add another rainbow jersey while in the women’s race, defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot will be hoping for her 5th XCO World title. Home crowd interests are high in the Elite race with 2021 World Champion Evie Richards hoping to make her return to form following her 2022 Commonwealth Games victory, while Tom Pidcock is the reigning Olympic Champion from Tokyo.
Important information
The UCI MTB XC World Championships take place at Glentress, in the Tweed Valley. As this event takes place in a remote location in the Scottish Borders, you should come prepared to spend all day outdoors and for changeable weather weather. Sturdy shoes are recommended to get the most out of the experience and to be able to adventure up the hillside to spectator spots, and a good waterproof jacket will protect against the elements. It’s not all rain the Scotland, and some sunscreen and a hat will make sure you can make the most of the sunshine too. You will have a covered area for hospitality.
It will also be peak midge season – those small biting bugs that Scotland is so famous for! Pack some insect repellent and consider a midge head net for some extra comfort.
