The World Cup honours Pal Arinsal for the legacy it leaves beyond the racing

Pal Arinsal has received the 2026 Legacy Award, a recognition awarded within the Golden Arrow Awards of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series that rewards initiatives capable of generating a positive impact beyond the competition itself. The Andorran venue has been distinguished for its project “Leave No Trace, Leave A Legacy in The Pyrenees”.

The award was presented in Lake Placid, coinciding with the finals of the 2026 MTB World Cup, and highlights the work developed by Pal Arinsal to integrate sustainability criteria, social responsibility, and commitment to the territory in the organization of its events.

Pal Arinsal receives the 2026 Legacy Award for its commitment to a more sustainable MTB World Cup

The Legacy Award recognizes projects related to aspects such as sustainability, local community involvement, inclusion, youth development, circuit maintenance, or social responsibility.

In the case of Pal Arinsal, the jury particularly valued its initiative “Leave No Trace, Leave A Legacy in The Pyrenees”, with which the station aims to integrate sustainability transversally in both its regular operations and the celebration of the World Cup.

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Among the measures developed are the use and certification of energy from renewable sources, measuring the carbon footprint, various actions to reduce emissions, waste separation, and post-event cleaning efforts.

Alternatives to private vehicles have also been promoted through public transport, shuttles, and bike parking, in addition to accessibility initiatives and a commitment to local producers, who represent 75% of the total with whom the station works.

According to data provided by Pal Arinsal, the set of these measures allows for saving approximately 310 tons of CO₂ per year, while 33% of the energy used by the station comes from renewable sources.

A prize contested among five international projects

Pal Arinsal prevailed over four other candidates linked to the World Cup. Saalfelden Leogang-SalzburgerLand presented its sustainable mobility model; Nové Město na Moravě, its work with the community and the promotion of cycling among youth; Les Gets, a program to protect biodiversity around its downhill circuit; and AON Racing, its initiatives related to solar energy and reducing environmental impact during the season.

The applications were evaluated based on their impact, innovation, reach within the community, and alignment with the values of the “Leave No Trace, Leave a Legacy” program.

The jury was composed of Katerina Nash, vice president of the UCI and chair of its Mountain Bike Commission; Otis Guy, director of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame; Ravi Rajcoomar, vice president of the Business Network of PeopleForBikes; and Ties Van Dijk, Advocacy and Strategy specialist at Shimano Europe.

Eleven editions of the World Cup and three more confirmed

The award comes after a long trajectory of Pal Arinsal as one of the regular venues of the MTB World Cup. The Andorran station has already organized eleven editions and has three more events confirmed for the coming years.

During this period, the venue has adapted circuits, facilities, and services to the needs of international competition, with the involvement of La Massana, the Government of Andorra, workers, volunteers, and collaborators.

The Lake Placid gala also had Andorran prominence for other reasons. Max Commencal and Greg Minnaar, a resident of the Principality, were recognized for their contribution to the history and evolution of mountain biking. Both are part of the 2026 class of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame along with Tracy Moseley and Stan Day, co-founder of SRAM.

The Legacy Award thus reinforces Pal Arinsal's position within the World Cup not only as a sports venue but also for the model it aims for each event to have a lasting positive impact on the mountain and its surroundings.