Bike World News

This Spotlight is a little out of the ordinary as it is about an event instead of a product. The 2010 UCI Mountain Bike and Trial World Championships will be hosted by the Quebec City area and the Mont-Sainte-Anne resort from August 30th to September 6th of 2010.

Apart from Vail (Colorado) and Mont-Sainte-Anne, Québec City is one of only a handful of cities to have held this prestigious event more than twice (starting in 1998). The resort has built a reputation for itself in the organization of mountain bike World Cups, and the enthusiasm of athletes and technical teams is no doubt one of the reasons why UCI chose the Québec City area to host the Worlds again. The Mont-Sainte-Anne Resort and the organizing committee are well known for their warm hospitality and the quality of their events, so it comes as no surprise that IMTTO (International Mountain Bike Teams, Technical Support, and Organizers) ranked the World Cup’s 2007 edition second in a list of 50 international events. Zap Espinoza (Editor at Mountain Bike and Road Bike Action) says of the course:

“The only bike racing circuit in North America that can be called a ‘classic”. The UCI World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne is to mountain biking what the Monaco Grand Prix is to F1 racing. North America doesn’t have the same cycling tradition as Europe, and no other even can say it has held ten editions in as many years.”

The 1998 World Championships, among other things, left a valuable legacy to the region with the creation of a downhill course that even today is still referred to as one of the most technical on the world circuit, thanks to improvements made each year. With the return of the Worlds, organizers are looking forward to recreating the same kind of outstanding race courses that built the mountain’s reputation.

Discussions are under way with UCI in order to add amateur and participative events before the Worlds, which would allow the organizing committee to carry out its mission of contributing to the development of the sport at all levels.

Just a few of the planned events are:

• UCI World Championships (August 30 to September 5): The ultimate achievement of mountain bike and trials champions.
• Long-distance endurance race (August 28-29): From Old Quebec City to Mont-Sainte-Anne through scenic backcountry trails.
• Amateurs races (cross-country, downhill, freeride) open to all: Riding parts of the World’s course.
• Kids fun races showcasing future stars of mountain biking.
• Huge Expo Village with more than 150 exhibitors.
• Wild extravaganza of live music, parties and activities.

Mont-Sainte-Anne is 30 minutes from Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early 17th century, Québec City, the only fortified town north of Mexico, is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Its 622,000 French-speaking residents are always keen to practice their English with visitors.

Cindy Loose, a journalist for the Washington Post, had this to say about the region:

“I love the city’s boardwalk promenade, with its views of the Saint Lawrence and islands in the distance. But I’m equally enamored of the charm of its nearby villages and farms. The best of both worlds converge here.”

The organizing committee is publicizing the race and the region well in advance of the event as rooms fill up quickly in the area. They are encouraging visitors to come early or stay late to enjoy all of the cuisine, culture, shopping and sporting activities offered by the region.

For more information about the championships, please visit: www.montsainteanne2010.com

For more about Quebec City, check out the competition’s tourist info page.

Finally, for lodging info, check here.

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