From 14 to 16 June, Daolasa di Commezzadura will be home to the Italian classic of World mountain biking. The world's best riders will test themselves in Trentino few weeks before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Organising Committee revamped the XCO and XCC courses to deliver an even greater show, on the field in Daolasa and on TV screens around the world
From the roots of the Black Snake to the iconic final downhill section of the cross-country course, to the freezing and regenerating waters of the Noce river: throughout the years, Val di Sole has earned the love of all the mountain bike superstars.
The Italian round of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, to be held from 14 to 16 June, 2024, has achieved the status of an MTB monument thanks to its 15-year history in the Mountain Bike World Cup, and having hosted three editions of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, with the fourth scheduled for the summer of 2026.
For Downhill and cross-country riders, Val di Sole is always a key juncture of their season, even more for the specialists of the Olympic discipline, as the Italian round takes place just 6 weeks before Paris 2024.
The Italian MTB classic was presented in Trento on Wednesday, May 29th. The press conference was attended by Trentino's Tourism, Craftsmanship, Commerce, Forests Assessor Roberto Failoni, Trentino's Vice President Francesca Gerosa, the Deputy Mayor of Commezzadura Marco Podetti, Val di Sole Tourism Board and Grandi Eventi Val di Sole President and Director, respectively Luciano Rizzi and Fabio Sacco. Among the speakers, the Italian Cycling Federation President Cordiano Dagnoni also attended in video-conference.
Two weeks before the start of the WHOOP UCI MTB World Series event, the Daolasa race field is ready to welcome a long weekend of 14 races in 4 disciplines (cross-country, short track, downhill and four-cross) over 3 days. The Val di Sole event promises a great show on the racing field, as well as on the TV screens around the world.
EXCITING CHANGES FOR CROSS-COUNTRY AND SHORT TRACK COURSES
In view of the 2024 edition of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Val di Sole’s organizers have introduced several changes to Daolasa’s cross-country and short track courses to improve the fan experience and enhance the TV show.
In the new cross-country course (3,5 Km and 160 meters of elevation gain per lap), the changes impacted the main ascent, which has been shortened by a few meters, hence moving the drop at the top slightly lower than in the past. At this point, the riders will enter an intense section on the four-cross course, adjusted to adapt it to the XCO action.
In the final section, a new climb will replace the slightly uphill segment before the last descent, which will be completely redesigned. The final run-in will be even more spectacular. Fans will have the chance to witness a longer final sprint than in previous editions.
Instead, the short track route has been charted on the cross-country starting loop, in the lower part of the racing field. The new route will greatly enhance the fan experience, as the spectators will enjoy a full view on the course.
RACE FORMATS AND TOP RIDERS
The long weekend in Val di Sole features three days of racing. In addition to the classic World Series formats (cross-country, short track and downhill), Val di Sole also welcomes the four-cross, exciting the fans with its night race.
The schedule starts on Thursday, June 13th, with a day dedicated to cross-country and Downhill free practices, and the four-cross qualification session.
On Friday, June 14th, the World Series schedule starts with Downhill qualifications and semifinals from 12:00 to 15:00 and cross-country short track competitions from 17:15 to 20:00. With the cross-country short track, Elite and U23 riders take center stage with the goal of scoring World Cup points and claiming the top positions in the cross-country starting grid. The Elite Women race will start at 17:15, followed by Elite Men at 17:50, U23 Women at 18:40, and U23 Men at 19:15. Last year, German Luca Schwarzbauer and Austrian Laura Stigger won the Elite races. The day culminates with the Four-Cross night, as the 4X Pro Tour race takes the spotlight from 21:00.
Saturday, June 15th, marks one of the pinnacle moments as the Black Snake track takes center stage. The DH schedule stars at 11:30 with the Junior Women, followed by Junior Men at 12:00, Elite Women at 13:15, and Elite Men at 14:00. In 2023, Canadian Jackson Goldstone claimed his maiden Elite World Cup win on the Black Snake, whilst Austrian Vali Höll smashed the competition among women.
As tradition dictates, rounding out the Val di Sole UCI Mountain Bike World Series program will be the cross-country races on Sunday, June 16th. Daolasa’s racing field is expected to host hotly contested races, six weeks before the Olympic event in Paris. The U23 Women's race starts at 09:00, followed by the Elite Women’s race at 11:15, the Elite Men’s race at 14:00, and the U23 Men's race at 16:00. Last year, Nino Schurter conquered his fifth World Cup win in Daolasa, whilst Dutch Puck Pieterse dominated the Elite women race ahead of Italian Martina Berta.
SIDE EVENTS
Throughout the event, attendees can enjoy a wide range of side events, music, entertainment, and initiatives organized by Grandi Eventi Val di Sole and the Val di Sole Tourism Board.
On Friday, June 14th at 22:00, “The Rumpled” will take the stage for a concert, followed by a DJ set at 24:00. On Saturday, June 15th, two Bike Flip shows at 11:00 and 16:00 will enrich the side events schedule, together with the Wasabi Live aperitif at 19:00 and the Bikeland Party at 22:00. On Sunday, June 16th, the traditional party for athletes, staff, and volunteers will start at 17:00.
VAL DI SOLE’S PARTNERS FOR THE UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD SERIES
For the, several partners have confirmed their confidence and commitment to the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Val di Sole.
Main partner Trentino, institutional partners like the Province of Trento, Valle di Sole Community and the Sports Department of the Italian Governament, are joined in the number of the supporters by the likes as Giant (Val di Sole Bikeland’s bike partner), Alé Cycling, Selle Italia, Würth Modyf, Vibram, plus major realities from Trentino such as Melinda, Funivie Folgarida Marilleva, Hydro Dolomiti Energia, Gruppo ITAS Assicurazioni, Casse Rurali Trentine, Cassa Rurale Val di Sole, Dolomeet, Gusto Natura, Enterprise srl, Distilleria Marzadro, Forst and Acqua Pejo.
Instead, Shimano, Michelin, WHOOP, Motul and Oakley are the partners associated with Warner Bros Discovery and UCI Mountain Bike World Series.
VAL DI SOLE'S COMMITMENT TO CARBON NEUTRALITY
Again in 2024, Val di Sole extends its commitment to carbon neutrality. In partnership with Climate Partner, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series round offsets its carbon footprint by backing a new project in Brazil, in a forest area located in the Rondonia State. This area acts as a safekeeper of the local biodiversity, also serving as an ecological corridor among several protected areas. The aim is to offer social empowerment by training farmers in sustainable practices and forest management, thus improving their life quality.
TV - LIVE ON EUROSPORT
The global mountain biking audience will be able to watch the Val di Sole WHOOP UCI MTB World Series round live on Eurosport, Discovery, and several other broadcasters around the World.
TICKETS ON SALE AT VALDISOLEBIKELAND.COM
For those who want to experience the atmosphere of an extraordinary sports weekend in Val di Sole in person, tickets for the UCI Mountain Bike World Series are available for purchase at www.valdisolebikeland.com.
Tickets for Saturday, June 15 (downhill races), and Sunday, June 16 (cross-country races) are available for €20 plus service fees. An all-inclusive pass for both days is available for €30 plus service fees. The tickets do not include access to the ski lifts. Children up to 12 years old are entitled to free entry: the tickets must be claimed through registration on the ticket platform. Venue access on Thursday, June 13th and Friday, 14th is free.
