Dalby Forest wins mountain bike World Cup!

The world's top mountain bikers are to be put through their paces amid the trees and trails of the Forestry Commission estate at Dalby Forest in 2010 when the World Mountain Bike Championships ride into North Yorkshire. Following a bid by British Cycling, Yorkshire Forward, UK Sport and the Forestry Commission to bring the event to the 3,440-hectare (8,600-acre) site, near Pickering, World cycling's governing body – the UCI – has announced that the championships will come to Dalby next year. Yorkshire will join destinations such as Germany, Italy and the USA in hosting this prestigious event. The championships will take place over the weekend of the 24th and 25th April 2010 and are expected to attract over 10,000 spectators and 500 elite bikers from 24 nations. The event will also be broadcast worldwide, with the media using Dalby's £2.3 million eco-friendly visitor centre as their base of operations. Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward, who played an integral part in securing the event to the region adds: "Bringing high profile events like the World Mountain Bike Championships are a fantastic way for us to showcase our region to the world and attract new investment. The visitor economy contributes over £6 billion to Yorkshire and Humber’s economy every year, so it is vital that we use our natural assets – like the Dalby Forest – to grow this important industry and our regional economy. "This is great news for the district and we hope it will be a catalyst to encourage more people to participate in both recreational and competitive mountain biking" Last month the Forestry Commission unveiled a new four mile 'World Cup' trail in Dalby Forest costing £90,000, which lived up to its billing as a course fit for champions when it was used to stage its first competitive race. Alan Eves, Forest Management Director with the Forestry Commission, said: "It has been a nail biting few weeks waiting for the decision and there is no doubt we were up against some tough international competition. The tension has been unbelievable - but now we can celebrate. The new World Cup trail has big climbs, fast descents and technically demanding features and really impressed the UCI delegates when they came to Dalby." Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: "This is fantastic news for Yorkshire and in particular Dalby Forest. Congratulations to the team behind this successful bid for a stage of the World Cup Mountain Bike Cross Country championship. Yorkshire is gaining a solid reputation for its major events, which I’m sure will continue to attract many more visitors to the region." Cllr John Weighell, Leader, North Yorkshire County Council said: "This success will confirm Dalby Forest’s place as a world class mountain biking venue. We look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators and showing them all that North Yorkshire has to offer. Congratulations to all concerned." Cllr Linda Cowling, Chairman of Ryedale County Council’s Community Services Committee commented: "This is great news for the district and we hope it will be a catalyst to encourage more people to participate in both recreational and competitive mountain biking."

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