The first edition of the event will feature two competition formats on snow that are directly inspired by alpine skiing: Super-G and double slalom. It's a crazy idea, but one that could well generate enthusiasm.
Freestyle pro Fabio Wibmer has already impressively demonstrated what the whole thing will look like. Wibmer recently raced down the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill run in Kitzbühel, the Streif, on his MTB. Austrian Markus Stöckl has also conquered this descent on his bike before - Speed and adrenalin are guaranteed here...
UCI Snow Bike World Championships: 2 competitions coming up
The Super-G races take place on the Aity piste and then over the Stade Linga. A difference in altitude of 600 metres on the 1957-metre-long piste is a real adrenaline rush. The distance between the gates is at least 25 metres, just like in alpine skiing. The racers start their run one after the other with a minimum gap of 40 seconds. The super-G competition is also the qualifier for the double slalom the next day.
>> We have already tried such an adventure: On the ski piste with the E-Fatbike
The double slalom (comparable to the parallel slalom in snowboarding and alpine skiing) takes place on the Linga piste, which is 510 metres long. The 155 metre difference in altitude is covered in around 30 seconds. The competition consists of a series of elimination races in which two riders compete against each other on two parallel slalom courses. They compete against each other in two rounds and change tracks for the second round. The rider with the fastest overall time advances to the next round of the competition, right through to the final.
General conditions for participation in the Snowbike World Championships
All licence holders of UCI-affiliated national federations aged 17 and over are eligible to take part in the two races. The UCI recommends that participants compete on downhill mountain bikes, but this is not mandatory. The same MTB must be used for both competitions. The use of studded tyres will be regulated depending on the condition of the track. Each country can register a maximum of 15 riders per gender. The list of participants will be published on the UCI website on 1 February at 14:00 CET. The starting order will be announced at a later date.
We will experience something completely new in the world of cycling. - Cedric Gracia
Cedric Gracia, ambassador for the 2024 UCI Snowbike World Championships, multiple UCI World Championship medallist in the 1990s and early 2000s (downhill, double slalom and four-cross) and UCI World Junior Downhill Champion in 1995, said: "We will see something completely new in the world of cycling. It's all about technique, analysing the snow, reflection and strategy. It's going to be incredible!" He assumes that technically strong athletes will have the best chance of becoming the first UCI World Champions in snow biking, for example downhillers, enduro specialists or athletes who come from other downhill sports such as skiing: "But they also need a very strong base in cycling," warns Gracia, who will also be at the start.
French snowbike champion Pierre Thévenard, who lives in Châtel, can't wait to take part in the UCI Snowbike World Championships, which are being held on his doorstep: "This event will raise the profile of snowbiking and boost its prestige thanks to the UCI World Champion jersey. The competition will be tough. The winner of the super-G will not necessarily win the double slalom, which is a little slower but very technical. Two races in a row can be destabilising, with pressure right to the end. It will be a real show for the spectators."
UCI Snow Bike World Championships 2024: The schedule
- Saturday, 10 February 2024: Women's super-G and men's super-G (from 10:30 CET)
- Sunday, 11 February: Women's double slalom and men's double slalom (from 9:00 am CET)
Maik Schröder
Editor
