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Mountain biking is an integral part of cycling events with races taking place on rugged terrain. Cross-country, enduro, downhill, trial... disciplines all more extraordinary than the others, which have their own competitions and champions. Zoom on the main mountain bike events.
Cross-country events
Also known as XC, cross-country is the mountain bike discipline with the most events.
There are 5:
- Olympic cross-country (XCO): a race contested during the Olympic Games, and has been since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The course varies from 4 to 6 km and alternates climbs, descents, singles track and obstacles to overcome.
- the cross-country short track (XCC): born in 2018, this new format is ridden in just 20 minutes on short circuits. The event is part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
- the cross-country relay (XCR): a team relay where riders each complete one lap of the circuit. These mixed competitions are held notably at the World Mountain Bike Championships.
- the cross-country marathon (XCM): an off-road event with a mass start. The mountain bikers ride on a course ranging from 80 to 160 km where rolling and technical portions follow one another.
- the cross-country eliminator (XCE): these spectacular competitions are contested on routes of 500 to 1000 m. As fast as it is impressive, the event is held in two stages with a qualifying round, then a knockout round.
Downhill Events
Individual downhill events (IHD), called downhill individual in English, bring together riders on downhill courses.
This is a time trial competition where the rider must race down the slope as fast as possible to achieve the best time.
Littered with various obstacles, the courses are particularly demanding, between roots, rock garden, turns, bumps or even consistent jumps.
The enduro races
Enduro races are mountain bike events that mix downhill sections and links by bike or lift.
Concretely, enduro riders must chain together timed sections, which are the downhill sections, and portions where the clock is stopped, named the liaisons. If they are not timed, however, these sections are subject to a time limit that must not be exceeded.
Enduro competitions are generally held over two days and require speed, technique, endurance and logistics.
Other mountain bike events
There are also other types of mountain bike events:
- the trial: the rider must use balance and concentration to overcome obstacles with only his tires for support.
- the beach race: mountain biking is practiced at the beach, on a sand circuit with small dunes to cross.
- the pump track: an explosive and fast race on a track with tight turns.
You've become an expert in mountain biking events! How about discovering the secrets of bike time trials or stage races?
