MOUNTAIN BIKE

There will be mud as riders battle their way through Scotland’s toughest terrain in a series of Cross-country races

After a massive crowd of riders pours off the start line, rough terrain, steep slopes and mud-based mayhem is the order of the day as they jostle for position, biding their time to attack in sprint finishes separating the wannabes from the winners.

CROSS-COUNTRY OLYMPIC (XCO)

After the elbow-to-elbow start line sorts the strongest riders from the rest, the riders race to complete a set number of laps. Races last for over an hour, so endurance, stamina and mental fortitude are required.

CROSS-COUNTRY SHORT TRACK (XCC)

The 1–1.5km laps of XCC make for fast, furious races. Riders have to strike the balance between skill and speed, testing the limits of their legs for an intense 20 minutes.

CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM RELAY (XCR)

Teams of six riders from different categories navigate the same course, one after the other, in a bid to win one of the team medals up for grabs. Strategy matters just as much as speed.

E-MOUNTAIN BIKE CROSS-COUNTRY (E-MTB)

These riders race a similar course to the XCO, but with one big difference: they will be on part battery-powered bikes. With that in mind, there will be some additional technical sections making use of this extra pedal-assisted juice.

CROSS-

course at Glentress help take this local lass to the podium? Instagram @isla_short

WHERE

WHEN 8–12 August

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Origin Story

Modern mountain biking started in the USA and originally entailed converting old heavy frame Schwinn Cruisers from the 1930s and ’40s into downhill racers.

On The Surface

Paved sections can’t exceed more than 15% of the course. There’s no limit on how much mud there is.

The Bike

Riders want their bike to to be as light as possible in order to achieve the greatest speed.

Borderlands is where Scotland and England meet - a vast and beautiful rural landscape covering Dumfries and Galloway, Cumbria, Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is a partnership representing five councils with funding from the UK and Scottish Governments. Since 2021 we have been delivering projects and programmes to improve the area for visitors, businesses and residents.

www.borderlandsgrowth.com

Destination Borderlands

Mountain Bike Project

Renovating the listed Caerlee Mill in Innerleithen to create an Innovation Centre

A space to develop new products and services.

Investing in Destination Tweed to improve cycling and walking visitor routes along the river.

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration

Improving the world class mountain biking centres that span the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. Developing trails, activities and facilities to attract new visitors.

See More Lake District Cycling

Extending and better connecting the cycling network and walking routes in the National Park. Recognising cycling and walking as a means of travel but also as a visitor activity in their own right.

Unlocking the immense unrealised potential of the World Heritage Site. Providing a more coherent and connected visitor offer for walkers and cyclists along the length of the Wall.

The South of Scotland and North of England is already a world class destination for walking, cycling and wheeling but we want to grow that. By supporting innovation and enabling infrastructure we are helping to realise the region’s potential as a place to visit, to work and to thrive. The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is not just regenerating an area: it will leave a lasting legacy for decades to come.

3 OF THE WORLD’S BEST CROSSCOUNTRY MOUNTAIN BIKERS

NINO SCHURTER (SUI)

The definition of greatness, Nino won ten UCI World Championships between 2009–2022 and overall eight UCI World Cups between 2010–2022. When you add a gold, silver and bronze medal at various Olympics to that astonishing CV, Nino has nothing left to prove. But that won’t stop him.

PAULINE FERRAND PREVOT (FRA)

Having claimed ten world titles across four different disciplines throughout her career, PFP is one of the sport’s most decorated riders. Last year, she won four rainbow jerseys and there are also rumours that the former UCI Road World Champion may return to the road peloton.

EVIE RICHARDS (GBR)

This young British star staked her claim as part of elite MTB royalty in 2021 with a dominant win in the UCI Cross-Country Olympic World Championship in Italy. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind – especially her rivals – that she’ll arrive in form in Glentress.

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