The Forestry Commission is putting the finishing touches to a 6.5 kilometre (4 mile) cross-country route on its estate in the 3,440-hectare (8,600-acre) wood, which will be used to stage the Nissan UCI Cross-Country Mountain Bike World Cup in Yorkshire next year if an ambitious bid is successful.
Dalby Forest is British Cycling’s preferred venue to host the prestigious global event, beating off stiff competition from elsewhere in the UK to put it in poll position.
Cycling chiefs are now working with the Forestry Commission, UK Sport and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward to lodge a bid with international cycling’s governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). A decision is expected in June.
The World Cup course will be put to the test for the first time on 10 May when it is used for the British Mountain Bike Race Series. Biking superstars will take part, including Liam Killeen and Oli Beckinsale, providing spectators with thrilling action. Racing gets underway from 10am. There’ll also be scores of exhibitors and biking displays, based at the Adderstone area of Dalby Forest.
Alan Eves, Forest Management Director with the Forestry Commission, said: “The new trail is a big investment for the future giving Dalby Forest a world class competition route which can be used time-and-time again. With big climbs, fast descents and technically demanding features, we’re confident it will live up to its billing as a course for the sport’s elite.”
Over 2,000 tonnes of locally sourced stone has been used to surface the trail and sustainable techniques used to make it more durable and suitable for use in all weathers. The design was finalised after months of careful planning work. Environmental assessments were also carried out to ensure bikers steer clear of sensitive wildlife habitats and archaeological sites. Forestry Commission engineer Martin O’Vastar has worked with contractor Hugh Clixby, from Matlock, to complete the project on schedule.
The trail will be incorporated into Dalby’s 55 kilometre mountain bike network, opened in 2007 at a cost of £400,000 and touted as some of the best single-tracks in England. It also uses part of the spectacular Dixons Hollow Pace Bike Park. Some of the World Cup course will be open for public use, but other sections will be off limits and reserved for top flight competitions. Alan Eves added: “Developments are happening thick and fast, with the bid about to be lodged and the test event imminent. We have had British Cycling officials visiting Dalby to check progress and help us produce the best possible course.”
Bid partners say that staging the World Cup would bring major economic and tourism opportunities for the area. Up to 500 of the world’s top off-road bikers would take part, representing 25 nations. The event could draw up to 10,000 spectators.
Further details at www.forestry.gov.uk/YorkshireandtheHumber
Pics by Tony Bartholomew.
Comments (14)
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Any one ridden it yet? Whats it like? Nice and techy I hope 🙂
2000 tons of stone, yowser
& only one wheel barrow…
“we’re confident it will live up to its billing as a course for the sport’s elite.”
they holding ssuk09 on there….
so that’s a bit of a disappointment to them then
Wouldn’t that mean Fort Bill would lose out?
4 more miles of xc single track is of course VERY welcome, but when can we get just 1 mile of Dh track?
The rock drop looks good. Hope that’s on the world cup bit.
lol, that drop is about 3ft to high for the skinny boys and girls with the narrow bars
Fort Bill won’t lose out… the XC isn’t there this year.
In fact the WC DH clashes with the SSUK at Dalby 🙁
Think i’ll take the short trip to Dalby
Not for the Scottish contingent, we’re nails!! Grrr!!! 😉
proper xc racers are a grade above the ‘trail centre warriors’ on this here STW (not that any of them will admit it)
http://www.bike-zone.com/photos/2007/may07/mtbXCworldcup2/mtbXCworldcup24/m_DSC0118.jpg
…and on semi-slicks too. World Cup XC racers are great to watch.
Aye, the Pro men had no problems with that drop, or the one at Worry Gill. They’re not as big as they look, as they both start to level out sooner than you think …unless you manual the one in the 2nd pic, then it turns into a reasonalble drop to flat! Still doesn’t bother a full sus though.