Mercedes-Benz UCI MTB World Cup Returning to Les Gets in 2021

The best riders in the world will be back in Les Gets in 2021 for a new round of the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, from 2 to 4 July, following the cancellation of the 2020 event due to Covid-19.

Although there are still uncertainties regarding the evolution of the health situation in July, Les Gets will be ready to deliver an event that is equal to the challenge, with the Organising Committee and partners committed to delivering the best experience for riders and their teams as well as the public.

The program will include Cross-country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-country Olympic (XCO) events that will allow the athletes to compete one last time at international level before flying off to the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. In the Downhill category (DHI), the French group will be eager to give their best in full public display in what promises to be a very exciting event.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, co-organised with the French Cycling Federation (FFC), will allow the Les Gets organising team to get ready for hosting another major event next year – the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, which was last hosted by Les Gets in 2004.

Michel MUGNIER, President of Les Gets Tourisme, said: “We all have at heart to offer a great MTB World Cup to our public and to all the athletes this summer in Les Gets. My optimistic side leads me to believe that all the conditions will once again be in place for a great event!”

Indeed, there will be major changes to each track to ensure for the most exciting competition possible.

New lines for the Cross-Country course, Olympic discipline

While retaining its original layout on the Chavannes side, the Cross-Country course will evolve significantly this year with the addition of numerous technical sections as well as modifications to the lines that should lead to some great duels. In consultation with the FFC staff and the local track managers, a series of works is planned for spring in order to bring the course into line with the current Olympic Cross-country (XCO) standards and thus offer a more challenging and spectacular playing field. It is also in the spirit of the “Terre de Jeux 2024” label, looking forward to hosting XCO teams as part of the training programmes for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, that these adjustments have been planned.

A more technical and spectacular track for the Downhill

For Downhill (DHI), a brand new track is being created this year. Inspired by the track that hosted the P2V Invitational last September, the course is still located on the slopes of Mont-Chéry and retains only the start and finish areas of the old track. Apart from that, everything is new. The local team of shapers have worked on the project, helping to produce a varied track where fast and technical sections follow one another.

Michel CALLOT, President of the French Cycling Federation, said: “Our federation is proud to support the resort of Les Gets, which this year will resume the programme of international events. The world of mountain biking will once again be celebrating in the heart of Haute-Savoie! This event will allow the best athletes of the discipline to get their marks on the courses of Les Gets, one year before the World Championships.”

He continued… “For all sports enthusiasts, France will be keen to make cycling shine in 2022 with the hosting of three UCI World Championships in Olympic disciplines: BMX in Nantes from 26 to 31 July, Mountain Bike in Les Gets from 24 to 28 August and Track Race in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines from 12 to 16 October.”

Find out more at uci.org/mountain-bike/events/mercedes-benz-uci-mountain-bike-world-cup