The topic of snow biking has been raised from time to time, but was never actually brought to the ground until June 2023, when the UCI surprised everyone with the announcement that the venue and date for the first World Championships in snow biking had been awarded to Châtel in Haute-Savoie. UCI President David Lappartient said at the time: "The awarding of the first UCI Snowbike World Championships to Châtel marks a key moment in the structuring of the discipline at world level. At a time when ski resorts are increasingly interested in diversifying their offer, snowbiking offers them a new opportunity. This winter sport is a new addition to the mountain biking sectors, which have been growing strongly in the tourism sector for several years and are increasingly practiced from spring to autumn."

Now the World Cycling Federation is providing concrete information about the event on February 10 and 11.

Super G and parallel slalom

The World Championship premiere in snow biking will be held in the Super G and parallel slalom disciplines. The Super-G races will ride down the Aity slope and then the Stade Linga over a total course length of 1957 meters with a height difference of 600 meters. The distance between the gates is at least 25 meters, as in alpine skiing. The racers start one after the other at least 40 seconds apart for a single run.

The parallel slalom takes place on the Linga slope. The course is 510 meters long and has a height difference of 155 meters. The riders compete against each other on both parallel slalom courses, with the faster rider over both runs advancing.
The UCI World Championship titles are awarded in both disciplines, both for women and men. Each country can enter a maximum of 15 riders per gender.

Frenetic ambassadors

Cédric Gracia, ambassador for the 2024 UCI Snowbike World Championships, multiple downhill and 4x World Cup winner says: "We will experience something completely new in the world of cycling. It's all about technique, analyzing the snow, reflection and strategy. It's going to be incredible!"

French snow bike champion Pierre Thévenard, who lives in Châtel, can't wait to take part in the UCI Snow Bike World Championships, which are taking place on his doorstep: "This event will raise the profile of snow biking and increase its prestige thanks to the UCI World Champion jersey. The competition will be tough. It will be a real show for the spectators."

Timetable UCI Snowbike World Championships 2024

Saturday, February 10: Women's Super-G and Men's Super-G (from 10.30 a.m. CET)

Sunday, February 11: Double slalom (from 10.30 a.m. CET)

. February: double slalom (from 9.00 am CET).

chatel.com/snowbike-world-championships

www.uci.org