The UCI has released its MTB calendar for 2006, which features six downhill and cross country rounds, with the marathon discipline having five rounds. The Dutch Antilles hosts the first round, the tiny island off the coast of Venezuela offering idyllic conditions for racers coming out of the northern winter.
There are three rounds where all three disciplines are competing, with the world championships to be held in the southern hemisphere for only the second time in 10 years. The town of Rotorua in New Zealand's North Island will host the world championships in a country that is renowned for its mountain biking and adventure activities.
The calendar for 2006:
April 1-2: XC #1 - Curaçao (AHO) May 6-7: DH #2 - Vigo (Spa) May 6-7: Marathon #2 - Naoussia (Gre) May 13-14: XC #2 - Spa Francorchamps (Bel) May 20-21: XC #3 - Madrid (Esp) May 27-28: XC #4, DH/4X #2 - Fort William (Sco) June 3-4: DH/4X #3 - Willingen (Ger) June 17-18: Marathon #3 - Mont-Sainte-Anne (Can) June 24-25: XC #5, DH/4X #4 - Mont-Sainte-Anne (Can) July 1-2: DH/4X #5 - Balneorio Camboriu (Bra) July 8-9: Marathon #4 - Villabassa (Ita) July 15-16: National Championships - XC, DH, 4X July 29-30: Marathon #5 - Bikepark (Swi) August 13: Marathon World Championships - Oisans (Fra) August 22-27: World Championships, XC, DH, 4X - Rotorua (NZl) September 9-10: XC #6, DH/4X #6 - Schladming (Aut) September 23-24: National Championships - Marathon
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