Barcelona

This type of mountain biking, developed a few years ago by the UCI, aims to make the sport more accessible to the general public, as it takes place in urban environments rather than in mountainous areas.

After an individual classificatory round, the riders taking part in the competition are divided into groups of four, in line with the times they have achieved. In each heat, the two fastest male and female riders go on to the next round, until reaching the grand final. The races are short and intense, involving just two laps of the circuit, which is packed with all sorts of obstacles, such as jumps and steps.

The best riders in the world, like Titouan Perrin Ganier, Simon Gegenheimer and Theo Hauser in the men’s category, and Gaia Tormena, Marion Fromberger and Catalan cyclist Marta Cano in the women’s category are expected to be at the Barcelona event. In total, more than 20 countries will be represented.

As well as the World Cup, there’ll be a short track for men and women following the heats. In this modality, all the riders start at the same time, doing laps around the circuit, with the slowest being eliminated after each one, until finally only the winner remains.

The programme for the day is as follows:

• 12.30 – 1.30 pm: Registration.
• 1.30 – 2.00 pm: Warm up for both elite male and female riders.
• 2.10 – 2.25 pm: Women’s time trial – XCE World Cup.
• 2.25 – 2.35 pm: Men’s time trial – XCE World Cup.
• 2.35 – 15.05 pm: Open warm up.
• 15.20 – 3.50 pm: Men’s quarter final.
• 4 – 5 pm: Women’s and men’s finals – World Cup (XCE).
• 5.10 – 5.20 pm: UCI Women’s Short-Track XCC.
• 17.20 – 17.30 pm: UCI Men’s Short-Track XCC.
• 5.45 pm: Prize-giving ceremony.