From tomorrow, Friday, June 14, the spectacular long weekend of mountain biking officially begins in Daolasa di Commezzadura, Trentino, with the Short Track races. The event will be aired live on TV all over the World thanks to Warner Bros Discovery’s distribution
The spotlight is on Val di Sole, Trentino, the Italian capital of mountain biking. The Daolasa di Commezzadura race field is more than ready to welcome the protagonists of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series who have already begun their approach path to an exciting weekend of Downhill, Cross Country, and Short Track races.
Val di Sole, an open-air playground for cycling enthusiasts, will be showcased on screens all over the world starting tomorrow afternoon, Friday, June 14, when Elite and U23 athletes will compete in the always-spectacular Short Track competitions.
On Thursday, Downhill athletes began familiarizing themselves with the legendary Black Snake, one of the most challenging runs on the world scene, in preparation for tomorrow's Qualifying Round and ahead of Saturday’s finals. As usual, the Black Snake is a triumph of roots, rocks, and drops to be tackled at full speed, a track where daring is the only option.
Cross Country specialists also took to the track in Daolasa today, where on Sunday, June 16, they will face a very important test just six weeks before the Paris Olympics. The Val di Sole paddock was abuzz with curiosity about the new sections of a track that has undergone numerous changes, particularly in its final part.
“It’s a very nice route, with some new, faster, and smoother sections. The final part, in particular, is different from previous years, and it’s a lot of fun,” said Switzerland’s Alessandra Keller.
Belgian champion Pierre De Froidmont echoed Keller: “I like the changes, the route is very fast. If the ground is dry on Sunday, it could be a very fast and tough race”.
Italian Daniele Braidot was also satisfied: “Compared to the past, the new route suits my characteristics better. There aren’t many areas where you can take a breath, it seems more challenging than in previous years. Now in the final, it is possible to make a greater difference, and create gaps before reaching the finish line.”
On Thursday evening, the qualifications of the 4X Pro Tour Event begin at 21:00, with the finals to be held on Friday night.
In total, nearly 800 athletes from all five continents will compete in Val di Sole.
THE RACING PROGRAM
Tomorrow, Friday, June 14, the official Downhill program will start with the qualifications, at 12:00, followed by Elite Men at 12:30. The Junior Women's Qualifying Round will be at 14:00, with Junior Men closing at 14:15. Elite semifinals will start at 15:00.
In the late afternoon, it will be Short Track’s time: Elite women and men will compete at 17:15 and 17:50 respectively. The U23 races will close the program, with the men's race at 18:40 and the women's at 19:15. In the evening, the finals of the 4X Pro Series will begin at 21:00.
Saturday will be Downhill day: the program includes the Junior Women's final at 11:30, followed by the Junior Men at 12:00. The Elite Women’s turn will come at 13:15 and the Elite Men at 14:00. In the afternoon, at 17:00, the children will take action with the GIANT Mini World Cup.
On Sunday, June 16, as per tradition, Cross Country will close the program of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Val di Sole. The great Nino Schurter, ten-time World Champion, will be looking for his eighth victory in Val di Sole, while Italy’s Simone Avondetto will showcase the European Champion jersey won in Romania. The U23 Women's race will start at 9:00, followed by the Elite Women’s race at 11:15, Elite Men’s race at 14:00, and U23 Men's at 16:00.
Thanks to the television distribution by Warner Bros Discovery, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series show in Val di Sole will be visible live in every Country, all over the World (see detail).
BEYOND THE RACES: AN ENTERTAINING WEEKEND AND SAGAN AS SPECIAL GUEST
For those wanting to experience the spectacle of great Mountain Bike firsthand, the fun doesn’t end at the finish line or with the awards ceremony on the podium. Val di Sole will feature numerous moments dedicated to music, fun, and brand activations by partner companies of Val di Sole Bikeland.
A concert by the band "The Rumpled'' is scheduled for Friday at 21:00, followed by a DJ set starting at midnight. On Saturday, there will be two Bikeflip Shows at 11:00 and 16:00, and the Wasabi Live aperitif at 19:00. The evening will culminate with the unmissable Bikeland Party, which will go on until late at night. On Sunday, after the competitions, the traditional party for athletes, staff, and volunteers is scheduled for 17:00.
Additionally, on Sunday, an exceptional guest will arrive in Daolasa: Peter Sagan, the three-time road cycling World Champion who won one of the first laurels in his career at the 2008 World Championships in Val di Sole, with a gold medal in the Cross Country Junior category.
Two-day tickets are on sale for €30 plus service fees. Tickets do not include access to the lifts and are free for children under 12, subject to registration on the ticketing platform. As always, access is free for Friday, June 14 (with Short Track and Four-Cross races), as well as for the preceding days dedicated to training and qualifying
