Mar 5, 2024
International UCI Mountain Bike Competition Will Bring Top Cyclists to the Adirondack Mountains in Lake Placid from September 27-29
Follows $550 Million State Investment to Upgrade Olympic Regional Development Authority Facilities and Other Sports Infrastructure in Lake Placid – Home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games
Builds on Governor’s Commitment to Supporting New York’s $123 Billion Tourism Industry
Ticket Sales Begin Tomorrow – Tickets Will Be Available Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Lake Placid will host a round of the WHOOP UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Mountain Bike World Series – the world’s premier mountain biking circuit – for the first time September 27-29, 2024. With a loyal following of thousands of fans, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will bring the top professional mountain bikers in the world to Lake Placid to compete in three UCI Mountain Bike World Cups: the UCI Cross-country Olympic, UCI Cross-country Short Track and the UCI Cross-country Marathon.
The announcement follows more than $550 million in state investments in Olympic Regional Development Authority facilities to renovate New York’s sports infrastructure and builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to supporting the state’s $123 billion tourism industry. Tickets for the event’s three men’s and women’s races go on sale starting tomorrow, March 6.
“The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series is our next big chance to show the world what the North Country has to offer,” Governor Hochul said. “This September, thousands of athletes and spectators from around the globe will flock to Lake Placid to enjoy our breathtaking views, world-class sporting facilities, vibrant businesses, and top-notch eateries. New York State is building a year-round destination in the North Country, and I encourage New Yorkers and visitors to buy their tickets and be a part of this year’s festivities.
Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid is one of 15 stops for the series that spans ten countries on three continents, starting with two weekends of cross-country races in Brazil – April 12-14 in Mairiporã and April 19-21 in Araxá. The series continues until the first weekend of October with the traditional formats of cross-country and downhill as well as formats that are new to the series, such as Cross-country marathon, Enduro, and E-Enduro.
In addition, the Olympic Authority and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, global promoter managing the broadcast, promotion, and organization of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, will enter into a three-year agreement to host the races and help grow the discipline worldwide. All 16 race weekends of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will be shown on the B/R Sports hub on the Max streaming service in the United States.
Mountain biking made its Olympic debut in 1996 at the Atlanta Games and has been part of the Olympic program at each of the six Summer Games since, with men's and women's cross-country Olympic racing. The 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will take an extensive mid-season break during the Paris Olympic Games, which run from July 26 to August 11. The series resumes September 6-8 with downhill and enduro races September 6-8 in Loudenvielle, France, followed by the cross-country races in Lake Placid and the season finale at Mont-Saine-Anne, Quebec, on October 4-6.
Olympic Authority President and CEO Ashley Walden said, “We are thrilled to introduce a mountain biking event of this scale to Lake Placid for the first time. This is a unique opportunity for our venues, which have historically been focused on winter activities. The recent upgrades have made it possible for the Olympic Authority to expand our operations to accommodate elite events and training year-round as we begin a new chapter that will now include a Summer Olympic sport.”
Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Cycling Events Vice President Chris Ball said, “After a ground-breaking 2023, I am proud to welcome both iconic venues and new destinations to the 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series calendar. In the largest expansion of international mountain bike for many years, six new venues will join a blockbuster of a year, totaling 15 event weekends. Expansion into South America and long-term agreements in Lake Placid in the USA, Trentino in Italy and Haute-Savoie in France are hallmarks to a season that offers more racing than ever before.
Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “I LOVE NY is excited to welcome the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series to Lake Placid and the majestic Adirondack Mountains. This is a terrific addition to the roster of competitions at New York’s world-class Olympic facilities. The cool, crisp autumn air is perfect for mountain biking, and the fall foliage will provide a colorful backdrop for riders and spectators. We invite residents and visitors alike to come experience the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series and enjoy all of the world-class attractions, lodging and dining available throughout the Adirondacks that make it easy to love New York during our beautiful fall season.”
Governor Hochul’s Support for Tourism Industry
Governor Hochul has maintained a strong commitment to supporting New York’s tourism industry – one of the state's key economic drivers. New York State welcomed 291.5 million visitors in 2022, the largest number of visitors in New York State’s history, generating more than $78.6 billion in direct spending and $123 billion in total economic impact following historic investments in tourism, economic development, outdoor recreation, transportation, and other key sectors.
As part of that commitment, the Governor has supported significant investments of more than $600 million in the Olympic Authority facilities to help reposition the State of New York as a global winter sport destination. These investments have supported major sporting events like the 2023 FISU Winter World University Games, which were held in Lake Placid last year. The major transformations and modernizations were executed with a focus on sustainability and financial responsibility. In tandem, event promoter and organizer WBD Sports recently achieved the ISO20121 certification for its commitment to sustainable event management. This certification approves the structured framework that integrates sustainability into their event management practices.
The Olympic Authority venues include Mt Van Hoevenberg, the Olympic Center, the Olympic Jumping Complex, and three ski areas: Belleayre Mountain, Gore Mountain, and Whiteface Mountain. The facilities are open year-round for events, athlete training, and recreation, while providing world-class experiences and competitions. In addition to its six venues in the Adirondacks and Catskills, the Olympic Authority manages the Lake Placid Olympic Museum and Lake Placid Conference Center. The organization also owns the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, the U.S. Luge Association facility, and the Olympic Authority’s Corporate offices, all located in Lake Placid.
During the 2022-2023 season, the Olympic Authority activities generated a one-year direct economic impact of $341.8 million, according to an Economic Impact Analysis conducted by Tourism Economics. In addition, the Olympic Authority supported 3,414 jobs and generated $25 million in state and local tax revenues.
Tickets will go live for purchase tomorrow, March 6, on the Mt Van Hoevenberg website. For more information on the event, visit the Overview page which includes a detailed schedule and the UCI Mountain Bike World Series website.