After the World Championships in Pal Arinsal, the World Championships OC of Andorra handed over the UCI flag to the Valais-based organizers of the 2025 World Championships. As the organizer of the cross-country races, Crans-Montana plays the leading role in this major event. But at the World Cup premiere at the end of June, which also served as the main rehearsal for the World Championships, Crans-Montana had a tough time. On the one hand, bad weather hampered the preparations and staging, while on the other, there was plenty of discontent. The course in Crans-Montana was deemed too dangerous, but the criticism was wrongly directed at the Valais resort. Warner Brothers Discovery Sports, which has secured the rights to the World Cup until 2030, was in charge of building the course.

No listening to safety shortcomings

A modern cross-country course was built in Crans-Montana for the 2023 Swiss Mountain Bike Championships, combining artificial elements with natural sections and selective climbs. The trail construction company Velosolutions was responsible for the construction. The basic tenor was positive, even if many riders wanted some changes. These were also made, but not by Velosolutions as in the previous year, as Bruno Huggler, Director of Crans-Montana Tourism, explains: "We had developed the route for the Swiss Championships together with Velosolutions and Swiss Cycling. When we approached Warner Bros/Discovery to prepare the course for the World Cup, the World Cup organizer took over. Our bike park shapers rebuilt the course, but under the direction of a construction manager from WBD-Sports. That was not ideal."

For the TV picture, the stone slabs placed on the high side were supposed to serve as line separators and eye-catchers. However, these turned out to be dangerous, which soon led to criticism. "During construction, we pointed out to Warner Brothers Discovery Sports that the slabs were blocking the fall areas. However, the World Cup organizer WBD-Sports didn't see any risk in this," says Huggler, looking back on the construction phase. Unfortunately, the umbrella organization also abolished the UCI technical delegate for the 2024 season, who had been responsible for course inspections in previous years. He could have intervened before the World Cup week, when there would still have been time for corrections. Fortunately, as the organizer of a Ski World Cup, Crans-Montana had quick access to safety material. The stone slabs were at least defused with orange mats.

Weather a tough opponent

The debate about the course would hardly have been so heated if the weather had cooperated. The thunderstorms made sections of the course difficult to navigate, which is why many athletes in the U23 categories had to run, and some participants in the elite races also had to tackle sections on foot. Many participants felt that this was not worthy of the World Cup. However, there are hardly any more ideal locations to withstand torrential rainfall. The geology of the southern slopes of Valais is very permeable and they dry out very quickly. They can absorb significantly more rain than other places. Many of the World Cup courses would be much worse off with this amount of rain. So the harsh criticism is not justified. Nevertheless, criticism of the local organizers was not spared, Huggler says about public comments: "Some damning statements by prominent people were wrongly addressed to Crans-Montana. This damaged the image and also caused uncertainty in the canton."

In view of the fact that a state of emergency was declared shortly before the start of the World Cup due to flooding and mudslides in the Rhone Valley and sections of the highway had to be closed, Crans-Montana, which is located above, came off very well. Huggler therefore also considers the World Cup premiere a success from a spectator perspective. He mentions 6000 paying guests on the courses, who created a great atmosphere. And the atmosphere should be even better in 2025, including among the riders, Huggler continues. Although no intensive work is required for the World Championships, some adjustments and key passages are necessary, and the intention is to invite international riders to test rides to rule out any doubts.

The direction of travel is right

Beat Wabel, the UCI technical delegate, has already been on site, as Huggler reveals in conclusion: "His report attests to the track's high attractiveness and is very good overall. However, he rightly demands some adjustments to the obstacles built by WBD-Sports, such as Rockgarden, Timbergarden and Waterfall."

The course is now set in a good direction for the World Championships. But the signs are also looking better for the entire World Cup in 2025. The UCI Technical Delegate will once again be an integral part of every World Cup, which will benefit every event. Crans-Montana is aiming to be part of the World Cup calendar again in 2026, alternating with Lenzerheide.