January 18, 2007 – The UCI has made important changes regarding participation in World Cup Events. As of 2007, riders who wish to enter a World Cup event will need a minimum of 20 UCI points in the discipline in which they wish to compete: XCO, DHI or 4X.

As North America will have two MTB World Cups in 2007 (Mont Ste-Anne, Que. and the U.S.A.), many Canadian mountain bikers will wish to target these high-exposure events for the upcoming season. The deadline fixed by the UCI to reach the minimum number of points for the Mont Ste-Anne World Cup is set for May 29, 2007. That means only the only chances to meet the required points minimum in Canada before the two North American World Cup events, are the Canada Cups in Baie-St-Paul, Que. (XC), Bromont, Que. (XC-DH) and Mont Tremblant, Que. (XC-DH).

The other way to qualify for a World Cup, as explained in the document, is to be part of a UCI Trade Team. A UCI Trade Team may enter as many as 10 riders per discipline without the requirement of reaching the minimum number of points.

The deadline to register a Trade Team with the UCI is set for February 14, 2007.

Click here to view the UCI document.