More International Recognition For The Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup
Four major awards in a row for Fort William
As Fort William, in the Scottish highlands, gears up to host the first triple discipline round of the 2006 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in May, the UCI (International Cycle Union) has just announced that Fort William (Nevis Range ski area and Forestry Commission Scotland), has won the award for the best Downhill and 4-Cross Mountain Bike World Cup events of the 2005 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup series.
It is the fourth successive year that Fort William has been presented with this prestigious annual award and yet again reflects the huge success of this international mountain biking event, watched by more than 18,000 spectators over two days of intense and thrilling competition.
The award is based on the votes of competitors, officials and media from all over the world who had attended events in Scotland, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Austria, Canada, Brazil, New Mexico and Italy on the 2005 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup circuit.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Patricia Ferguson said: 'Winning this award four years running demonstrates that Fort William has some of the best mountain biking facilities in the world and that Scotland is a prime location for hosting major events. There has been
an explosion of interest in mountain biking with bikers and spectators coming from all over the world to ride our trails and to watch the best riders compete at the very best locations.
'We are a small country with big ambitions and as we move towards the World Mountain Bike Championships in 2007 - the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture and when Scotland makes the final push to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 - we continue to realise those ambitions.'
In its fourth year of hosting international mountain bike events, Fort William staged the 2005 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Finals (a first for the UK), a massive, end of season festival of mountain bike action.
With a double British victory in the Downhill competition, massive crowds and an estimated additional economic impact to Fort William and Lochaber of £881,000, the event was a mammoth success – '…one of British mountain biking's greatest ever events…' – Dirt Magazine.
Mike Jardine from Rare Management, organisers of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup events at Fort William (2002 –2006) said: 'Four awards in four years is an amazing endorsement for Fort William and everyone involved. It's going to be tough to build on the 2005 weekend with the dream British double win in the downhill. But every year the Fort
William World Cup has got bigger and better, so in 2006 we'll have to keep pushing forward.
'This year's event will also be a final dress rehearsal for the 2007 World Championships – which is likely to be at least twice as big as the World Cup in terms of spectators, and competitors, with live global TV coverage. We've got such a good team and the spectator support is so strong that I'm sure Fort William will once again deliver.'
Fort William has established itself as one of the best mountain bike competition venues in the world with a reputation for high standards, good organisation and excellent courses and facilities. The venue is also renowned for its large, very supportive and enthusiastic crowds
from all over the UK.
David Williams, Chief Executive of EventScotland said: 'EventScotland has supported, in partnership, the World Cup Mountain Bike competitions at Fort William for the last four years. EventScotland has long been an advocate of the strength of partnerships in delivering world-class events. Receiving recognition once again for hosting the best downhill and 4 cross discipline events during the World Cup Series in 2005 is a great honour for all involved and reflection of the power of the partnership approach. This accolade is particularly important as it is bestowed upon Scotland by the international competitors, officials and media attending the series of races in Europe and North and South America.
'Scotland will host the first triple discipline round of the 2006 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in May and it is anticipated thousands of visitors will flock to witness the thrilling competitions, many of whom will extend their stay in the country to sample more of what Scotland has to offer. EventScotland will continue to work with event partners on ensuring this event will be the best ever, as we build towards staging the World Championships in 2007.'
Neen Kelly, Active Brand Manager for VisitScotland said: 'The continuing success of the Mountain Bike World Cup event goes to prove that Scotland really is the adventure capital of Europe. As the event grows in stature, so does Scotland's global profile and we are
confident that this combination will encourage more visitors to take part in adventure sports during a visit to Scotland.'
Scotland was recently awarded Global Superstar status by IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) due primarily to all the work that Forestry Commission Scotland has put into its network of trail centres, including Leanachan.
Sarah MacLennan, Forestry Commission Scotland, added; 'You can never grow tired of receiving accolades especially when they come from competitors, media and officials within the sport! It's a great compliment to all involved with the World Cup event including the
thousands of enthusiastic spectators.
'Forestry Commission Scotland's aim is to continue enhancing the courses found at Leanachan Forest to ensure they remain world-wide benchmarks for the disciplines of 4 Cross, Downhill and cross-country.'