'First in Asia': World's Top Mountain Bike (MTB) World Series to Be Held in Pyeongchang

*This content was translated by AI.

The world's premier mountain bike (MTB) stage will be held in Pyeongchang for the first time in Asia.

The '2026 WHOOP Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike World Series' will take place from the 1st to the 3rd at Mona Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The event is jointly organized by the UCI and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports (WBD Sports) and is regarded as the top-tier composite international MTB competition.

Notably, this event holds deep significance as the official opening race of the 2026 season, which will span 14 rounds across three continents and nine countries until October, and as the first opening race ever held in Asia.

Three disciplines will be contested: Cross-Country Olympic (XCO), Cross-Country Short Track (XCC), and Downhill (DHI). The XCO and XCC events mark the first time these disciplines have been held in Asia since the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup was established in 1991. The DHI event will also be held in Asia for the first time in 25 years.

David Raflartien, UCI President, expressed joy, stating, "With the WHOOP UCI MTB World Series expanding into Asia, a new dimension has been added to the series."

Pyeongchang will host the UCI MTB World Series for three consecutive years starting in 2026. The XCO, XCC, and DHI disciplines will be held annually in a composite format at the Bawang-san area and Mona Yongpyong.

Park In-jun, President of Mona Yongpyong, stated, "We are hosting the MTB World Cup in Asia for the first time on this land where the legacy of the 2018 Winter Olympics lives on. We have made the best preparations to ensure Mona Yongpyong becomes a mecca for MTB."

Approximately 1,000 athletes and team officials from about 40 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, have completed their entry and registration for this event.

In the men's XCO and XCC categories, 2025 season overall champion Christopher Blevins (United States) will defend his title. World champion Victor Koretzky (France) and 'Cycling Star' Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) are also expected to engage in top-level competition.

In the women's category, 2025 overall champion Samara Maxwell (Australia) and World Champion Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) will compete for the top spot.

In DHI, 'next-generation star' Jackson Goldstone (Canada) will make his debut in Asia. Loïc Bruni (France), who holds the record for the most wins in DHI history, is once again considered a strong favorite to win. In the women's DHI, Austria's Valentina Hill is expected to showcase her skills.

Following the opening ceremony on the 1st, the XCC finals and DHI official qualifiers will be held on the 2nd. On the 3rd, the XCO finals, DHI finals, and the awards ceremony will take place.

Additionally, during the event period, a fan zone, brand exhibition halls, and experiential events for general spectators will be operated.

An official from the organizing committee stated, "The fact that the 2026 UCI MTB World Series opening race is being held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, is a very significant moment in Korean sports history. Through the overwhelming competition displayed by world-class athletes, we expect not only the expansion of the domestic MTB base but also a significant increase in the international sports brand value of Pyeongchang and Gangwon."

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*This content was translated by AI.