Mountain Bike World Championships 2024 at Pal Arinsal: Everything You Need to Know About the XCC/XCO Events
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Pal Arinsal, a mountain biking haven
After hosting a round of the Mountain Bike World Cup in August 2023, Pal Arinsal is hosting the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships this week. This mountain biking haven is no stranger to such events, as the Massana station successfully organized the World Championships in 2015. A point strongly supported by the Andorran government: “As a country passionate about sporting events, we cannot imagine today’s Andorra without sport as one of its defining characteristics. Therefore, we will continue to promote and support events such as these Mountain Bike World Championships,” explained Xavier Espot Zamora, head of the Andorran government, in the lead-up to the event. Pal Arinsal, located in the municipality of La Massana, offers an exceptional setting for these Mountain Bike World Championships. The site, known for its challenging tracks, is hosting nearly 700 riders from around the world this week to provide a unique spectacle for the many expected spectators.
This week’s programme includes five events in total:
- E-MTB
- Cross-Country Olympic (XCO)
- Cross-Country Short Track (XCC)
- Downhill (DHI)
- Cross-Country Relay (XCR)
XCC and XCO Competition Schedule
©Pal Arinsal
Here is the complete schedule for the XCC and XCO events of the 2024 Mountain Bike World Championships:
Friday, 30 August: XCC finals for U23 and Elite men and women categories.
- 17:30: Elite Women XCC
- 18:15: Elite Men XCC
- 13:30: Elite Women XCO
- 15:30: Elite Men XCO
How to watch the 2024 Mountain Bike World Championships?
The XCO women’s and men’s finals on Sunday will be broadcast live on Eurosport, UCI’s partner channel, as well as on L’Équipe TV. For Friday’s XCC events, a replay is scheduled for 10:00 on Saturday, 31 August, on Eurosport.XCC/XCO: The Pal Arinsal courses
XCO Course
XCC Course
Favourites for the 2024 Mountain Bike World Championships
Once again, the 2024 Mountain Bike World Championships promise to be thrilling. Who will take the title in Andorra? Once again, the density of the athlete line-up is exceptional. Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the 2023 world champions, will be present to defend their titles.Men's XCC/XCO Favourites
All eyes will be on Frenchman Victor Koretzky and Brit Tom Pidcock, the recent Olympic champion in Paris. The two athletes delivered an intense spectacle during the final of the Paris Olympics. Jordan Sarrou, who missed out on the Olympics with a 14th place finish, will undoubtedly be eager to do well at Pal Arinsal. Sam Gaze, the current XCC world champion, will also be there, but can he repeat the feat? Alan Hatherly, the South African who finished third in the last Olympics, will also be present. Currently leading the World Cup standings, he is one of the men in form at the moment. Let’s not forget Nino Schurter, at 38 years old, the Swiss rider is still in great shape and will be a contender for the title. Finally, Mathias Flückiger, the winner of the last World Cup round at Pal Arinsal, will undoubtedly have high expectations on this course that favoured him last year.
Women's XCC/XCO Favourites
In the women’s category, current Olympic champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is obviously one of the big favourites. After winning the world champion title here in 2015, the Frenchwoman, who has won everything this season, will be highly motivated to end her mountain biking career with a victory. The Frenchwoman announced this month that these World Championships at Pal Arinsal will mark the end of her mountain biking career before returning to the road with new goals in 2025. The other Frenchwoman, the young prodigy Loana Lecomte will be back after her fall during the Paris Olympics. She announced that she is coming to take her revenge, and there is no doubt that she could surprise, given her recent performances in the World Cup. Puck Pieterse, the Dutchwoman, currently second in the World Cup standings and fourth in the Olympics, will be present, as will her rival Haley Batten, the American. Second in the Olympics after a controversy following an attack in the feed zone, the American will be looking to have a clean race and confirm her current form.
The most beautiful mountain bikes of the World Cup
Here are some of the most beautiful bikes that will be present at these World Championships in Andorra.Thömus Lightrider R3 Worldcup
Used by the athletes of the Maxon team, Mathias Flückiger, and Alessandra Keller, the Thömus Lightrider Worldcup R3 is one of the most beautiful bikes in the paddock. Equipped with the Shimano XTR group, the Lightrider is fitted with DT Swiss suspension and wheels.
Orbea Oiz
Canyon Lux Worldcup
Rockrider 940S
Pinarello Dogma XC
Used by reigning world champions Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Tom Pidcock, the Pinarello Dogma XC has already amassed titles. The Italian brand, which had no mountain bike range until 2023, presents here a remarkable full-suspension XC bike. Equipped with Suntour suspension, a Shimano XTR drivetrain, this bike features P1 Race Technology wheels paired with Continental tyres.
Discover all our mountain bikes
©Pal Arinsal
Once again, the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships promise to be fantastic. All the big favourites will be present, and the technicality of the Andorran terrain is likely to offer us a unique spectacle. For mountain biking enthusiasts, this is the perfect opportunity to discover the bike models used by the pros and explore our selection of second-hand bikes, suitable for riding in the tracks of these champions!
