The World Cycling Union announced this momentous decision in a short online message of just four lines. However, a four-cross competition will still take place at the 2012 World Championships in Leogang. Rumours that the Four-Cross World Cup could be removed from the program were already making the rounds during the season. However, hardly anyone believed that the most spectator-attractive mountain bike discipline would be axed. Until today.

Frowning over new title sponsor
Shortly beforehand, the Uci also presented a new title sponsor for the World Cup. Next year, the World Cup will be under the patronage of a Belgian, multilingual cycling website that has only been active since this year. Insiders were already amazed at the realization of the website when it was launched, as the person behind the project is a well-known and not uncontroversial figure among specialist journalists. Many rubbed their eyes in amazement that the Uci was relying on a small, hardly financially strong media project for the title sponsor.

Freecaster does not extend the contract
At the same time, a French mountain bike portal reports that Freecaster will no longer be broadcasting Mountain Bike World Cup races. They quote the managing director behind Freecaster as saying that they cannot meet the financial expectations of the Uci and will therefore not be renewing the contract. Uci has tripled the broadcasting rights for the coming season.

World Cup: Final already in July
Among the announced World Cup dates, it is striking that the World Cup finals for cross-country riders will be held in July. Among other things, this has to do with the Olympic Games, where the mountain bike races will be held on August 11 and 12. In addition, La Bresse is no longer listed as a downhill venue, but will now host cross-country races. For downhillers, Val d'Isère in France and Hafjell in Norway will be added instead.

World Cup dates 2012:

Cross-Country:
17.03./18.03. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (CC)
14.04./15.04. Houffalize, Beldien (CC & Sprint)
12.05./13.05. Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic (CC & Sprint)
19.05./20.05. La Bresse, France (CC & Sprint)
23.06./24.06. Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada (CC)
30.06./01.07 Windham, USA (CC)
28.07./29.07 Val d'Isère, France (CC)

Downhill:
17.03./18.03. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
02.06./03.06. Val di Sole, Italy
09.06./10.06. Fort William, Scotland
23.06./24.06. Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada
30.06./01.07. Windham, USA
28.07./29.07. Val d'Isère, France
15.09./16.09. Hafjell, Norway