The UCI Mountain Bike World Series will not return to Fort William for the first time in more than 20 years after it was pulled from the calendar.
A leg of the series has taken place at Nevis Range every year since 2002 but hasn’t been included in this year’s event.
Instead, the UCI have decided to take the event, which is now run by Warner Bros Discover Sports, to places such as Brazil, Italy and USA.
The Nevis Range, which has also held two world championships in the past, confirmed on social media that there would be no return of the The UCI Mountain Bike World Series next year in a lengthy statement.
The Nevis Range promised to bring new events to the area to ensure Fort William remains ‘synonymous’ with mountain biking and they hope to bring the World Cup back in the future.
It said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup will not be returning to Fort William in 2025.
"While this news is deeply disappointing for us and the entire mountain biking community, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the last 20 years, including EventScotland, The Highland Council, and Outdoor Capital of the UK, for their unwavering support over the years.
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“The biggest thanks must of course go to Rare Management whose vision, ambition and dedication brought the event to the Highlands in the first place and gave us over 20 years of World Cups and Two World Championships!
“Fort William has long been synonymous with world-class mountain biking, and while we may not be hosting the World Cup next year, we are incredibly excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead. In the coming weeks, we will be unveiling a series of events that promise to capture the spirit and excitement of the World Cup.
“These events will include four new races in Fort William, to maintain the competitive edge and prestige of the World Cup, these events will bring (collectively) the same volume of fans and competitors; whilst easing the burden on local infrastructure by spreading the events over a longer period.
“Our focus moving forward will be on grassroots initiatives aimed at introducing new people to the sport and nurturing Scotland's next generation of elite athletes. We firmly believe that Scotland and the UK are the beating heart of mountain biking, and we are committed to ensuring that this remains the case.
“We wish Warner Brothers every success as they take the World Cup series forward in 2025. However, our journey with the World Cup is far from over. We are already in discussions with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Council, EventScotland, and the Scottish Government to bring the event back to Fort William in 2026 and beyond.
“The impact that the World Cup has had on Nevis Range, Fort William, and the surrounding culture is undeniable, creating a mountain biking legacy that rivals any in the world. We are immensely proud to have hosted this prestigious event for 20 years and look forward to its return.
“In the meantime, we will be working closely with our incredible partner, Madison, and particularly Saracen Bikes, to deliver outstanding events that bring more young people into the sport. We are dedicated to showcasing the power of biking to bring people together, enhance outdoor experiences, and build stronger communities.
“Looking ahead, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland presents an incredible opportunity to reignite the passion for biking in Scotland. Nevis Range is ideally positioned to host mountain biking events such as cross-country, ensuring that we deliver a spectacle that the entire Commonwealth will remember. We will be engaging in discussions with all the agencies involved to explore how we can turn this vision into reality.
“We remain committed to continuing the legacy of mountain biking in Fort William and look forward to sharing more exciting news in the weeks to come.”
Speaking to the Lochaber Times, a spokesperson for UCI Mountain Bike World Series said: “Fort William will always be an iconic international mountain biking venue.
“Its absence from the 2025 calendar does not in any way diminish its importance, but rather reflects the need to make space for other locations vying to become part of the sport’s rich history.
“We will always be delighted to see Fort William in future calendars and we look forward to returning to an iconic venue.”
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