Cycling Events: Mountain bike

Intro:

The first mountain bike competitions were held in California (USA) in the early eighties. Since then the discipline has grown very fast, in all aspects. The first World Championships to be officially recognized by the UCI dates back to 1990. A World Cup was set up the following year.

Mountain bike events are split into four specialities :

Cross-country

Cross-country, generally over a closed circuit of 5 to 9 km : depending on the category, this race can last from 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are narrow tracks, paths through forests, rocky paths and the riders even have to ford streams

Cross-country marathon is a long version of cross-country (from 60 to 120 km) raced in the mountains.

Downhill

Downhill, against the clock or in line. In its individual form, the downhill rider negotiates a succession of sections some of which are steep and require great technique.

4-Cross

4-Cross is the baby of the family, 4 riders compete over a fast downhill run including jumps and banked corners.

Event:

Source: UCI.ch