Mountain Biking-Dalby Forest and Fort WIlliam World Cups win UCI Best Event Awards
The UCI has named Dalby Forest and Fort William as the best Cross Country and Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup rounds of 2010.
The awards, which are voted for by teams, journalists, riders, UCI officials and sponsors take into account the overall event - including infrastructure, course quality and local facilities.
British Cycling, organisers of the opening round of the Mountain Bike Cross Country World Cup at Dalby Forest, invested two years and £200,000 into building a course that would bring World Cup racing back to England for the first time in a decade. The event proved to be a total success and attracted praise from the UCI for its technical loop on a brand new course, perfect event organisation and great media facilities.
Recognised as an all time classic event, the Downhill World Cup at Fort William has now won this prestigious UCI award six times and was this year rewarded for great racing on a revised downhill course, pleasing both riders and spectators. Still seen as an unbeatable event worldwide, Fort William continues to attract thousands of dedicated fans who make the trip north.
British Cycling's Cycle Sport and Membership Director, Jonny Clay, said: "The Dalby Mountain Bike Cross Country World Cup was a great success this year and I am delighted it has received the recognition it deserves.
"Thanks must go to everybody involved at British Cycling, a team of people that I am particularly proud to be a part of, and our key partners Welcome to Yorkshire, UK Sport, Forestry Commission England, and Yorkshire Forward for their efforts."
"We are already working extremely hard to build further on this success when the event returns to Dalby Forest on 20-22 May next year. Tickets are due to go on sale and November and we look forward to introducing this fantastic cycling discipline to many more people."
British Cycling's Chief Executive, Ian Drake, said: "I'm thrilled that the events at Dalby Forest and Fort William have been recognised by the UCI and yet again these awards are further testimony to Britain's ability to host truly world-class events.
"I'd like to thank everybody involved who helped make both events such a huge success, whilst paying a special tribute to Rare Management for Fort William, who for nine years have continually staged a fantastic event.
"We continue to work hard with stakeholders and partners to further improve the event at Dalby Forest in 2011, helping to deliver a legacy for cycling in the UK through to 2012 and beyond."
Gary Verity, Chief Executive at Welcome to Yorkshire, the County's Tourism Agency, said: "This is fantastic news and a well deserved award for everyone involved in bringing the World Cup to Yorkshire. Dalby Forest's award-winning course is now a must ride for biking fans across the world and we look forward to welcoming them to our beautiful county and sampling some of our award-winning hospitality."
Mike Jardine, Rare Event Management, said: "It's great to receive this award once again as we put a lot of effort into course improvements this year, which were obviously appreciated - but the passionate crowds remain the special thing about Fort William - helping to create an atmosphere that everyone loves.
"These fans and the 150 plus team of dedicated colleagues at Rare Management, help make the World Cup happen and they are the real winners of this award. We've got more exciting plans for 2011 and we'll be trying harder than ever to deliver the best Downhill and 4X events in the World"
Head of Major Events at UK Sport, Simon Morton, said: "It was a pleasure working with both British Cycling and Rare Event Management in staging these World Cup events and UK Sport is delighted they have been recognised as world class by the UCI.
"The volunteers and officials delivered two excellent events, providing a fantastic competition experience for both athletes and spectators, which is crucial as we prepare for a home Games in 2012."
