The UCI announces the biggest reform of the MTB World Cup since its creation

Full statement

The governing body of cycling, the International Cycling Union (UCI), and the global promoter of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports, today announce amendments to UCI regulations for professional mountain biking. The 2025 season will see the biggest reform of this sport since the creation of the UCI MTB World Cup in 1991.

The driving force behind these changes is the desire to elevate the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. These series, launched in 2023, bring together the main formats of the UCI MTB World Cups under the same umbrella, to ensure that each round is contested by the best riders and teams in the world, consolidating its position as the pinnacle of mountain biking.

The reform will bring significant changes to the classification system for UCI World Cups, revising the number of riders competing at the highest level of the sport, while creating a clear path for teams and riders to progress from National, Continental levels to UCI World Cups. This provides new opportunities for emerging talent and ensures that the best riders can showcase their skills on the world's biggest stage.

ENHANCED COMPETITION

One of the biggest changes is the qualification process for a UCI World Cup. The new regulations will review the number of competing riders, focusing on the best riders and teams to create a more competitive environment.

While the registration of UCI MTB Teams will continue to be managed by the UCI, from 2025, UCI MTB World Series Teams (formerly known as UCI ELITE MTB Teams) will be registered under two categories: Gravity (downhill and enduro) and Endurance (XCO and XCC). This simplified structure will enhance visibility and participation in all formats. A maximum of 20 Gravity Teams and 20 Endurance Teams will be UCI Mountain Bike World Series Teams throughout the season. In both categories, there will be 15 invitations awarded according to the Annual UCI Team Classification, with five extra teams benefiting from wildcard invitations for the season.

UCI Mountain Bike World Series Teams will have multi-year obligations and benefits from 2026, supporting long-term planning and development. The UCI and WBD Sports will work closely with teams to provide greater exposure and marketing rights. Teams will register official brand colors for promotional purposes, helping to create a consistent and recognizable presence at events and in the media.

In addition to UCI Mountain Bike World Series Teams with season-long licenses, in each round of the Series, up to eight additional UCI Teams will have the opportunity to compete as wildcard teams. National Federations will retain their designated quota. The classification will not be limited to teams: individual riders may qualify if they meet specific classification criteria or if they are national, continental, UCI world champions in their format, or Olympic champions (for Olympic cross-country).

A new multi-round Continental Series will also be introduced, in close collaboration with the five Continental Cycling Confederations, acting as a springboard for a place in UCI World Cups and giving riders from different continents the opportunity to qualify for UCI World Cups, promoting global participation and competitiveness. More details on these new Continental Series will be revealed soon by the UCI.

NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CUPS

A new classification system for UCI Downhill World Cups for Elite riders will simplify the process and ensure the highest level of competition.

Starting in 2025, all Elite downhill riders will compete in a Qualification 1 round (Q1), where the top 20 Elite men and top 10 Elite women will advance directly to the finals. All remaining riders will compete in a Qualification 2 round (Q2), where the top 10 Elite men and top 5 Elite women will secure their place in the finals. The regulation of protected status will be eliminated, meaning that riders will no longer receive preferential treatment based on their previous or current season results. Only the top riders in each place will advance to the finals, with the number of Elite women qualified increasing from 10 to 15.

INTRODUCTION OF COMPETITION NUMBERS

In addition to changes in team hierarchy and classification systems, the 2025 reform will also see alterations in how riders and teams are presented, with the aim of enhancing fan engagement.

All former Elite winners of a UCI World Cup round (in Olympic Cross-country or Downhill) who are still competing, must select personal colors and a unique race number, adding individuality and a sense of legacy to the competition, as well as helping to build the rider's identity and bring fans closer to the sport.

Number 1 will be exclusively reserved for the current leader of the UCI World Cup ranking in each of the two formats, replacing their unique race number. The leader's jersey and the number 1 plate will be awarded on the podium after each UCI World Cup.

ENDURO AND E-ENDURO PAUSE

A joint decision has been made, in agreement with all stakeholders involved in the UCI E-Enduro World Cup format, to pause the UCI E-Enduro World Cup to work with the industry towards a future format. However, E-Enduro will maintain its status as a UCI World Championship and will remain an Open Competition category in the UCI Enduro World Cup.

Additionally, Junior Men and Junior Women categories will be introduced for Enduro at the UCI World Championships, offering young athletes more opportunities to shine on the world stage.

LOOKING AHEAD

Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, said: "These reforms mark a significant turning point for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series and reflect our ongoing commitment to the growth of the sport, making it easier for fans around the world to follow their favorite teams and riders. I am confident that this will further establish the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series as the pinnacle of the sport."

Peter Van den Abeele, Sports Director of the UCI, said: "The introduction of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series two years ago has led to significant growth in mountain biking and increased popularity. Together with WBD Sports, the UCI aims to build on this momentum with these changes that will simplify certain processes, favor globalization, and make competition formats easier to follow and therefore even more exciting for fans."

The 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will mark a bold step towards the future of mountain biking, fostering greater competitiveness and fan participation.

These new UCI regulations will come into effect on January 1, 2025. All details are available on the UCI regulations page.