The UCI has published the 2022 calendar for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz UCI MTB World Cup season. Europe, North America and South America are on the itineraries of the world's fastest cross-country and downhill racers. The downhillers will open the 2022 season in Lourdes, France, on 26 and 27 March. Lourdes will thus celebrate its return to the Downhill World Cup.
The first stop for the cross-country elite is the new World Cup location of Petropolis in Brazil. The city, which lies to the north of the capital Rio de Janeiro, is home to one of the best cross-country riders in the world: Henrique Avancini. The first race for the cross-country faction starts on 6 April. The downhillers will contest a total of eight races, the cross-country racers nine. (See below for dates)
Interview with Luca Schwarzbauer
BIKE: Nine races are on the programme this year. Will you be riding all of them?
Luca: Yes, I plan to ride all the races. Including the overseas races in Snowshoe, Mount Sainte-Anne and Brazil.
BIKE: What do you expect from your first race in South America with the new team?
At the first race this year in Brazil, I have to get used to the new team and familiarise myself with the track. Brazil will be a challenge in terms of organisation, so I'm glad to have such a professional team at my side.
BIKE: How important is the home World Cup in Albstadt for you?
Luca: Very important! Top ten would be a dream. I'm also competing in the short track and want to be in the top 16 in the overall standings by then. But every race counts. Because sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. When the drive is there, you attack. Like my sixth place in Snowshoe last year.
Calendar: Mercedes-Benz UCI MTB World Cup 2022
- 26 - 27 March: Lourdes, France (DH)
- 8 - 10 April: Petropolis, Brazil (XCO/XCC)
- 6 - 8 May: Albstadt, Germany (XCO/XCC)
- 13 - 15 May: Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic (XCO/XCC)
- 21 - 22 May: Fort William, Great Britain (DH)
- 10 - 12 June: Leogang, Austria (DH/XCO/XCC)
- 8 - 10 July: Lenzerheide, Switzerland (DH/XCO/XCC)
- 15 - 17 July: Vallnord, Andorra (DH/XCO/XCC)
- 29 - 31 July: Snowshoe, USA (DH/XCO/XCC)
- 5 - 7 August: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada (DH/XCO/XCC)
- 24 - 28 August: UCI MTB World Championships - Les Gets, France
- 2 - 4 September: Val di Sole, Italy (DH/XCO/XCC)
