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Article published 23/05/2022

Nevis Range to host Fort William Mountain Bike Downhill

Nevis Range in Fort William will play host to the world’s greatest downhill riders after it was announced as the official venue for the Mountain Bike Downhill as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

The iconic venue is the eighth location to be announced as part of the first ever combined UCI Cycling World Championships which will be the largest cycling event ever held, taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3-13 August 2023.

The event will create history by bringing 13 existing UCI World Championships together into one 11-day long festival of cycling for the first time, with thousands of athletes battling for the rainbow jerseys reserved for UCI World Champions.

Mountain Bike Downhill will boast some of the fastest and most exhilarating races during the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds. The stunning surroundings of Nevis Range and Fort William will also provide an awe-inspiring backdrop for both athletes and visiting spectators from around the world.

Fort William has a proud history of welcoming elite level cycling competition, having hosted the 2007 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships. It has also welcomed the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup annually since 2002 and is regarded as a pilgrimage for the global mountain bike community to visit one of the best locations on the planet for the sport. The news came as the venue hosted the 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup over the weekend with more than 21,000 spectators enjoyed world-class racing in the Scottish Highlands, providing a sample of what is to come in August 2023.

To date, five venues have been announced in Glasgow, with Dumfries & Galloway (Para-cyling Road), Stirling (Time Trial) and now Fort William (Mountain Bike Downhill) also hosting events across Scotland. Additional venues and locations elsewhere in the country will be confirmed in the coming weeks and months to ensure a pan-Scotland delivery and to capture the imagination of the entire country.

I’m delighted that we are able to announce that Fort William will host the Mountain Bike Downhill as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. This will be a truly pan-Scotland Championships, utilising the very best venues across the country and for Mountain Bike Downhill they don’t come any better than Nevis Range. I know the local community will welcome the Championships with open arms as we look to deliver something truly unique in 2023 that the whole of Scotland can be proud of.

Trudy Lindblade, CEO of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships

The Highland Council is delighted that Fort William will host the Mountain Bike Downhill Competition of the UCI Cycling World Championships in August 2023. Many thousands of people across the Highlands and indeed Scotland are cycling enthusiasts and the opportunity to host elite athletes and the positive social impact it offers Lochaber is welcomed. Fort William - Nevis Range has an excellent track record for hosting events, coupled with the majestic backdrop of Ben Nevis it makes it a spectacular place for world class mountain biking. We look forward to supporting the UCI Cycling World Championships 2023 and welcoming participants and spectators to the Scottish Highlands for what will be a fun filled and memorable event.

Executive Chief Officer for Infrastructure, Environment and Economy at The Highland Council, Malcolm MacLeod

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