2018 Provisional World Cup Schedule Preview 9

iceman2058
1/28/2017 1:09am

​A provisional 2018 World Cup calendar has popped up on UCI's website. It shows the traditional number of races (7 World Cups + Worlds), but one all-new venue and the return of an old friend to spice things up. Losijn is a Croatian Island in the Adriatic Sea, which culminates at a modest 580 meters but still seems to offer up the kind of terrain that will provide a good challenge for the world's best riders:

 

Set to make a return in 2018 is La Bresse. The French venue hosted a World Cup in 2011, its first in many years, and it's fair to say it went on to become an instant classic. With a mix of gnarly rock gardens and big, open, fast grassy sections the track was a hit with riders and fans alike. The 2011 edition saw Greg Minnaar come out victorious, with Aaron Gwin in third wrapping up his first World Cup overall victory at the same time. The racing was spectacular and we can't wait to go back!

 
​2018 Provisional UCI World Cup Downhill Calendar

April 21/22 – Lošinj, Croatia, DHI

June 2/3 – Fort William, Great Britain, DHI

June 9/10 – Leogang, Austria, DHI

July 7/8 – Val di Sole, Italy, XCO/DHI

July 14/15 – Vallnord, Andorra, XCO/DHI

August 11/12 – Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada, XCO/DHI

August 25/26 – La Bresse, France, XCO/DHI

September 4-9 – Lenzerheide, Switzerland, World Championships XCO/XCR/DHI

Related:
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
Downhill
2018 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships
9 comments

View replies to: 2018 Provisional World Cup Schedule Preview

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MPH24
7 years ago
I really don't get why the US doesn't have a round. I know that somewhere needs to step up and make it happen, but I am also surprised that the UCI doesn't make more of an effort to encourage or make it more financially attractive for a US location. The US, or North America for that matter, is a big market and should have 1) more riders at the WC level and 2) have more fans and I don't see how that happens without the US having an East Coast and West Coast Round.

But I guess having Leogang on the schedule for the 50th time and racing Cairns is too good...
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kev.1n
7 years ago
The UCI is slowly killing downhill racing with track selections like this
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Gweggy
7 years ago
Well, with the exception of Leogang and possibly Lenzerheide they're all pretty great I think. It's a big improvement compared to 2-3 years ago.
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Gweggy
7 years ago
If improvements are killing DH, than yes, otherwise I don't get the point.
I'm really not pro UCI, but people have been complaining for years now and demanding a separate organisation for DH, but nothing has happened, and it's most likely that nothing will happen.
The tracks have been getting a LOT better and some of the new regularities aren't all that bad. DH will rocket upwards in popularity if and when some big sponsors get into the sport and I think we're on a pretty good path for that. And once that happened the UCI can't really f*ck up much anymore.
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sspomer
7 years ago
crankworx brings world class events. they even have 4 venues this year. the DH is exciting and usually features some heavy hitters, but there's just something about how "official" the world cup is. a result at a world cup still mean more than any other series, regardless of track/organization. like you say, it seems like nothing will happen to change that. maybe 10 years from now, something will have shifted or crankworx (or some other entity) will have the clout to pull teams and riders away from the WC as a focus.
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sideshow
7 years ago
Two things: 1. Why is Ft Bill still here? 2. Why is Leogang still here?
The former is a tired, beat up track with no lodging options, no cell service, and godawful wifi.
The latter is a track riders do not like, and there are multiple better options, "just up the street"...
I'll concede it's cool to see Le Bresse back and a new stop with Losinj. However, it seems very dumb to have a full month off between Rd 1 and Rd 2. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth they say, but what if it's visibly lame?
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tuboy95
7 years ago
If you watch some interviews on Ft Bill from the riders you will learn quickly that it is one of the favourites from the riders perspective.

Yes it might not be the roughest or steepest but it draws the biggest crowds and has the best atmosphere. And even given those reason you have stated it still pulls in the most spectators.

Leogang though is pretty much garbage.

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