What
In 2022, the UCI is back with a full calendar for the MTB World Cup Schedule. The series is the pinnacle of mountain bike racing, and in 2022 we are looking forward to eleven rounds, all in different countries. With eight Downhill events combined in the schedule amongst nine Cross Country events, this year's calendar is jam packed with racing action beginning March and finishing up with the World Cup finals in Val di Sole, Italy in September. With two abbreviated seasons in the past two years of World Cup racing, the excitement is undoubtedly churning for the return of a full racing schedule.
Where
The 2022 MTB World Cup will kick off in March with a downhill only event in Lourdes, France. Following the DH only season starter will be three Cross Country only events , starting with a new race venue in Petropolis, Brazil, and followed by the two classic venues of Albstadt, Germany, and Nové Město, Czech Republic. The series will then take a turn back to DH racing for a stop in Fort William, Scotland. The next six rounds of the 2022 UCI MTB World Cup will feature all three events, starting in Austria and Switzerland, and then heading across the pond for some North American racing action. Back on the calendar this year after a two-year COVID hiatus is the Canadian classic race venue in Mont-Sainte-Anne. Riders will then return to Europe for World Championships in Les Gets, France and finish up the World Cup series in Val di Sole, Italy.
- March 26-27: Lourdes, France (DH)
- April 8-10: Petropolis, Brazil (XCO/XCC)
- May 6-8: Albstadt, Germany (XCO/XCC)
- May 13-15: Nové Město, Czech Republic (XCO/XCC)
- May 21-22: Fort William, UK (DH)
- June 10-12: Leogang, Austria (DH/XCO/XCC)
- July 8-10: Lenzerheide, Switzerland (DH/XCO/XCC)
- July 15-17: Vallnord, Andorra (DH/XCO/XCC)
- July 29-31: Snowshoe, USA (DH/XCO/XCC)
- August 5-7: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada (DH/XCO/XCC)
- August 24–28: UCI Mountain Bike World Championships – Les Gets, France
- September 2-4: Val di Sole, Italy (DH/XCO/XCC)
Who
The 2022 World Cup season will be full of excitement as we watch up and coming riders rise through the ranks and seasoned veterans battling to maintain top positions on the podium. Here are some teams and athletes to keep your eye on.
Santa Cruz Syndicate
This year's Santa Cruz Syndicate will be led by the reigning World Champion, Greg Minnaar, who will return for his 15th season with the team. The Syndicate will see three new faces this year with the addition of 2021 Junior DH World Champion, Jackson Goldstone, podium threat Laurie Greenland, and the Syndicate’s first woman team member and podium contender, Nina Hoffman.
David Trummer - MS Mondraker
An exciting new addition to the MS Mondraker team, David Trummer will be a force to reckon with in the 2022 Downhill World Cup Series. After snagging a silver medal in the 2020 World Championships and maintaining consistent results throughout the 2021 race season, Trummer will no doubt be a threat to the podium in 2022.
Jenny Rissveds - Team 31
Former Olympic Gold Medalist, multi-time Swedish XC national champion, and World Cup contender, Jenny Rissveds is joining forces with the newly formed Ibis Factory XC race team. As an experienced and accomplished XC, there is lots of excitement and momentum behind Jenny’s 2022 World Cup racing endeavors.
Mathias Flückiger – Thomus Maxon Swiss Mountain Bike Racing Team
After bringing home the 2021 UCI World Cup Overall and silver medals in both the Olympic XC MTB race and UCI XCO World Championships, Flückiger will be carying some serious momentum into the 2022 World Cup season that will no doubt make for exciting racing.
Cannondale Factory Racing Team
2x defending UCI XCO World Champion Mona Mitterwallner has joined the Cannondale Factory Racing team for the 2022 season, and will undoubtedly be bringing her success and momentum to podium contention at this season’s UCI XC World Cup series. Joining 2021 XCO World Champion Henrique Avancini and veteran teammate Manuel Fumic along with former junior CX and XC World Champion Simon Andreassen (DEN) and former U23 & E-bike World Champion Alan Hatherly (RSA), Mona and the Cannondale Factory Racing team is prepared for an unstoppable World Cup season.
Dorval AM Commencal
Former Downhill World Champion and Downhill World Cup Podium contender, Camille Balanche is back for another season of downhill racing action and can be expected to fend for podium positions all year long. Joined by 2021 DH World Championship Silver Medalist and defending French National Champion, Benoît Coulanges, as well as Slovenian rider Monika Hrastnik, and french riders, Baptiste Pierron and Alix Francoz the Dorval AM Commencal World Cup team is a force to be reckoned with for the 2022 season.
