UCI selects 2011 mountain bike worlds locations

Although the spotlight will be on the road racing action at the UCI World Road Championships this week in Varese, Italy, those that make decisions about elite mountain bike racing have been busy behind the scenes.

On Wednesday, the UCI Management Committee selected the World Championship venues for 2011. The Mountain Bike & Trial World Championship will be held in Champéry, Switzerland, which won out over Alpago, Nevegal, Italy. However, Italy will still get to host the marathon World Championship in Montebelluna.

According to the UCI, those involved in the Mountain Bike World Cup will also begin voting for the best 2008 event in the categories of Olympic cross-country, downhill and four cross. Top-placing riders, UCI mountain bike teams, journalists, UCI sponsors and UCI staff will vote for the three best events. Ballots are due by Friday, October 19, and results will be announced at the end of October.

Since the final World Cup marathon event does not happen until October 4-5 in Ornans, France, therefore ballots will not be sent to eligible voters for best marathon event until October 5.

Finally, the UCI Management Committee is considering new sections and modifications to the 2009 Mountain Bike Regulations and working on approving the final 2009 UCI Calendar.