May 16, 2007 (Fort William, Scotland) – Forestry Commission Scotland staff based in Lochaber have been hard at work over the winter months radically changing the Witch’s Trail cross-country mountain bike track at Leanachan Forest in preparation for the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships 2007 – powered by Nissan Sports Adventure – being staged in the UK, for the first time, September 3-9.

Work on the trail in Leanachan Forest will be completed shortly and will be open to anyone wishing to test the trail before the world’s best arrive in force for the World Championships. Amongst the first riders who will be tackling the new course will be some of Great Britain’s top cross country riders hopeful of qualifying for the World Championship events. The riders will be taking part in Scottish cross-country races being staged on the new course, this weekend – 19 and 20 May.

Spectators will benefit from a newly established section of the trail right next to the Nevis Range ski area car park, the World Championship event village. This new section of track weaves its way though the trees between the newly extended 4-Cross course and the river where a number of World Championship Trials sections will be staged.

Other changes and enhancements include track widening on the first hill climb section that will allow faster riders to overtake; the addition of a new timber bridge, spanning 20 metres, which has been moved over 150 miles from Glentress in the Scottish Borders; and three new single track sections, complete with an innovative underpass/cross over feature (see editor’s notes for details).

With more than 5km of new trails, the new Worlds route includes elements that will both challenge and appeal to riders and spectators. It has been designed and built by highly skilled, Forestry Commission crafts people experienced in trail building, civil engineering and mountain biking, together with established trail builders.

Sarah MacLennan, Recreation Forester, Lochaber Forest District said, “We’ve been working hard over the winter months maintaining and enhancing this already challenging course, adding many new features and sections that will appeal to spectators and competitors alike.”

“I particularly like the newly created pipe loop section towards the highest part of the course. It adds a completely new dimension to the trail and can also be seen from the car park where the World Championship event village will be, come September. Spectators will definitely appreciate being able to get even closer than ever to the track to see the world’s best riders in action.”

http://fortwilliamworldchamps.co.uk