Mercedes-Benz UCI MTB World Cup event in Fort William. Picture by Jane Barlow/PA Wire
The return of the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup to Fort William was greeted with euphoria by a bumper crowd this weekend.
More than 21,000 fans from across the world gathered at Nevis Range for the two-day event, which concluded today.
It was the first time the World Cup had been held at Aonach Mor since 2019, due to Covid.
Qualifying races and the 4X World Series gave spectators plenty of drama on Saturday, however today’s men’s and women’s finals, as well as the men’s and women’s junior events, provided the main entertainment.
It marked the 20-year anniversary of Fort’s first staging of the World Cup, which has become a roaring success in the years that have passed since.
Fans were also given a further boost when it was announced Nevis Range will be the venue for the mountain bike downhill section of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
It is the eighth location to be announced as part of the first-ever combined UCI Cycling World Championships, which will take place in Glasgow and other Scottish venues between August 3-13 next year.
Crowds start to pack out the Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup on day one. Picture by Kim Ferguson
Canada’s Seth Sherlock during day one of the Mercedes-Benz UCI MTB World Cup event in Fort William. Picture by: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
Norway’s Mille Johnset in the Women’s Downhill Qualifying during day one. Picture by Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
Number 31: Womans Elite Megan Flanagan leaps over an obstacle. Picture by Kim Ferguson
A serious accident did mark day one of the event, causing races to be halted. Picture by Kim Ferguson
Number 8: Laurie Greenland takes to the air. Picture by Kim Ferguson
A junior competitor takes on the downhill event. Picture by Kim Ferguson
Great Britain’s Ethan Craik in the Men’s Elite Downhill final during day two of the event. Picture by Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
Great Britain’s Kade Edwards in the Mens Elite Downhill final. Picture by: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
Calum McBain looks as if he’s flying during the downhill final. Picture by Jane Barlow/ PA Wire.
Amaury Pierron flying down the mountain – winner men’s elite 2022. Pictures by Kim Ferguson
Full speed as number 3 Jordon Williams speeds down to become the Winner of the Junior Mens. Pictures by Kim Ferguson
Number 1 Winner of the Junior Woman’s race, Gracey Hemstreet. Pictures by Kim Ferguson
Fans having a blast watching the bikes fly passed. Pictures by Kim Ferguson
Slovenia’s Monika Hrastnik in the Women’s Elite Downhill final during day two. Picture by Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
Laurie Greenland speeds along the course. Picture by: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
It’s a unique way to travel: competitors had to load their bikes to Fort William’s gondolas to get around during the event. Picture by: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
The youth competitors celebrate a successful end to the event. Picture by Kim Ferguson
Men’s downhill winner Amaury Pierron at the mountain bike World Cup in Fort William. Pictures by Kim Ferguson
Thrills captured as biking World Cup takes over Fort William
