Forestry Commission - News - yorkshire sets sights on 2010 mountain bike world cup

British Cycling, Yorkshire Forward and the Forestry Commission have announced today that they aim to bring the UCI Cross-Country Mountain Bike World Cup to Yorkshire for the first time.

The three organisations are working together on an ambitious bid to bring the prestigious event to 8,600-acre Dalby Forest, near Pickering, in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

The competition, which has never been held in England before, attracts nearly 400 of the world’s elite off road bikers. A successful bid would create significant economic and tourism opportunities for the area and reinforce Dalby’s development as a world class mountain bike destination.

Commenting on the news, British Cycling’s Jonny Clay said:

“British Cycling is working hard to bring the best international cycling events to the UK. Bringing a round of the Mountain Bike World Cup to Yorkshire and Humber over a number of years would be a real boost for the region. If these major events can be secured from the UCI, Yorkshire Forward and its partners are committed to a significant development plan to establish Dalby Forest and Yorkshire & Humber more widely as a true cycling destination.”

Yorkshire Forward’s Neil Jenkinson, Assistant Director Culture and Major Events, said:

“This bid could not only bring a major international mountain bike event to Dalby Forest, but would also create fantastic new facilities for everyone who enjoys cycling in Yorkshire and Humber. This would deliver both significant media coverage and economic benefit for the region and would establish Yorkshire & Humber as one of the leading destinations for cycling ”

The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) is the international governing body for cycling and allocates World Cup and World Championship races for major cycling disciplines. Cross-country mountain bike races are held over a closed circuit of at least 6 km. Races can last from 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are narrow tracks, paths through forests, rocky paths and the riders even have to ford streams.

The Forestry Commission is working on plans to create a new 6km route in Dalby Forest specifically for the event. Alan Eves, Forest Management Director, explained:

“We are working on a comprehensive bid with our partners which will put Dalby on a global stage as a world class sporting venue. We have already created stunning new cycling facilities, including 55 kilometres of single track trails, and also hosted the final stages of the Yorkshire stage of the Tour of Britain in September. We hope to get a final decision on the World Cup bid by next June, so its finger’s crossed.”
Notes to editors:

� British Cycling Events is the event organising arm of British Cycling, the national governing body for cycle sport in the UK
� British Cycling helps everyday cyclists enjoy riding more through the Everyday Cycling scheme
� British Cycling works throughout the sport – from delivering Olympic medals to encouraging people to get on a bike for the first time
� British Cycling is the fastest growing cycling organisation in the UK, with 23,000 members
� British Cycling was involved with 2,500 affiliated events in 2007
� British Cycling encourages and develops children and young peoples cycling talents: the Go-Ride scheme is expected to provide coaching opportunities for 90,000 children and young people in 2008/09
� British Cycling is funded by membership, UK Sport and Sport England
� For more information on British Cycling visit www.britishcycling.org.uk

Yorkshire Forward
� Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.
� Over the past year, Yorkshire Forward has created and safeguarded more than 27,000 new jobs; helped create and attract more than 1,100 new businesses, provided nearly 66,000 learning opportunities and attracted more than �333 million private sector finance - achieving or exceeding all of the targets it was set.
� Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objective One and Two programmes.
� For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact Victoria Wilkinson, Senior Press Officer on 0113 3949904 or on 07736181063

The Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/yorkshireandthehumber or by contacting Richard Darn on 0113 341 3178

For more information and images please contact:
British Cycling
Richard Truman
Marketing and Communications Manager, British Cycling
0161 274 2083