We attended the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Loudenvielle 🇫🇷
This year, the Cinca Riders team had the privilege of attending one of the most important events in the world of mountain biking: the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup . It was an adrenaline-filled experience, full of learning, and opportunities to connect with industry leaders. Here we tell you about our experience at this event, which marked a turning point for us.
the arrival
We arrived on Friday, and the atmosphere already suggested the event would be spectacular. The location couldn't have been more appropriate: Loudenvielle is a small town in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Pyrenees region. Occitania is a spectacular place, highly recommended, both for cycling and for spending a few days. It has a lake surrounded by a beautiful walk in spectacular condition, a spa, shops of all kinds, and activity companies offering bike rentals, kayak rentals, and paddleboarding—you'll find everything you need!
Our trip was in a motorhome, provided by Somport Caravaning, and we settled into one of the various parking lots next to the lake, where we set up our operational camp for the entire weekend.
Exploring the exhibition area
The exhibition area was another of the event's major attractions. Here, the industry's leading manufacturers and brands showcased their latest bicycles, components, and accessories. As bicycle enthusiasts, we were particularly drawn to the various brand stands, which featured well-equipped work areas and enviable tools.
We had the opportunity to talk with the development teams about new trends and market developments, especially regarding improvements for enduro and DH bikes. It's worth noting the arrival of media from teams like Trek, Mondraker, and Canyon with their World Tour trucks.
Enjoying the training throughout the entire tour.
Saturday dawned a perfect day, starting with breakfast at one of the many bakeries in the area and then taking the cable car up to the highest part of the ski slopes and beginning the descent on foot along the DH race course.
Throughout the course, we were able to enjoy the junior, women's, and elite descents, watching them make small adjustments in preparation for Sunday's race. The course, seen from the cameras, might seem simple, but once there, the slopes the riders navigate with almost no effort are impressive.
Traveling routes and sharing passion
The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup event also offered us the opportunity to explore some of the best trails in the area. We rode several routes, suitable for both experienced riders and those looking to enjoy nature at their own pace. We were particularly drawn to the route around the lake and the mountain pass that connected the town to the ski slopes, both of which were very easy routes for the whole family to enjoy. As for the trails, there are numerous possibilities for all levels, although the intermediate-advanced range predominates.
These trails were a perfect opportunity to put our Trek Rail 9 Gen 3 rental bikes to the test and enjoy the terrain. Each route had its own unique personality, and there was no shortage of challenging climbs and adrenaline-filled descents.
We also had the pleasure of sharing some of these routes with other teams and professional riders, exchanging impressions on different approaches to the terrain.
Connecting with the MTB Greats
One of the most enriching aspects of our experience at the UCI World Cup was meeting and talking with key figures in the world of MTB. From established riders to technicians and representatives of leading brands, we had the opportunity to exchange views on the present and future of the cycling world.
Conclusion: An Event That Drives Us to Continue
The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup was not only an action-packed, adrenaline-filled event, but also an endless source of inspiration for us at Cinca Riders . Experiencing the racing atmosphere firsthand, exploring industry innovations, and sharing moments with people who share our passion has given us the drive to keep pedaling harder than ever.
We're leaving this event with new ideas, a desire to improve, and the hope of returning next year. Thanks to everyone who made this experience possible, and we'll see you at the next challenge!