Windham, NY to Host World Cup Next 3 Years
A drought of world-class mountain biking in the States won't happen again, as Windham Mountain, New York has signed a contract with the UCI to host a World Cup over the next three years.
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Preparations for the final stop on the 2010 World Cup circuit at Windham Mountain, New York in August are well underway — and with more to come.
Windham is the first World Cup stop in the United States since Angel Fire, New Mexico in 2005. But such a drought of world-class mountain biking in the States won’t happen again, as the upstate New York venue has signed a contract with the UCI to host a World Cup over the next three years, according to Nick Bove, race director.
“Then the sky is the limit,” said Bove, a member of the Windham World Cup Group, the all-volunteer committee planning the races.
As far as the four-day festival Aug. 26-29, Bove said preparation is going well. Phil Saxena, an internationally renowned course designer, was recently on site to dial in the layout of the four-cross course. Bove said a dozer and excavator will be shaping the track next week.
Meanwhile, a new downhill course has been cut and is “close to being ready to roll,” Bove said.
Like the DH track, the cross-country course will feature plenty of East Coast roots and rocks. The XC course features the “Alpe d’Huez” climb, the downhill chute and countless tunnels and bridges, including the Troll Bridge, the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and the “108” (108 feet or 32.9 meters long).
As the last in a worldwide series of nine races, the Windham race will ultimately decide the World Cup Series champions. Planned activities over the weekend include: “Race the World” citizen races for non-UCI pros and amateurs; both indoor and outdoor expos showcasing bikes and accessories, local crafts and retail products and a variety of food and beverages; a “Big Wheel” race down Windham back roads; a block party in front of the local brew pub; great music and beer specials; and a big open-air concert on Saturday night.