Durango, Colorado will once again welcome the world’s best mountain bikers. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has selected Durango as the host venue for the 2030 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, returning the sport’s premier event to the place where the inaugural Mountain Bike World Championships were held in 1990.
Durango Mesa Park: Building on a Legacy
Our 1,850-acre community playground is planned to become one of the nation’s largest and most versatile bike parks. Purpose-built trails are already open, and future plans include Colorado’s largest bike park, a world-class BMX facility, a mountain sports complex, and concert and cultural venues. By 2030, the park will be a centerpiece for championship riders and spectators, showcasing how community investment in recreation can create long-term benefits for locals and visitors.
A Return Four Decades in the Making
Hosting the championships 40 years after the inaugural event brings Durango’s cycling story full circle. In the decades since 1990, local programs like Durango Devo and Fort Lewis College Cycling have helped develop Olympians and world champions, keeping the community connected to the top levels of the sport.
“Durango sets the standard for mountain bike culture in our nation,” noted USA Cycling CEO Brendan Quirk, pointing to the town’s strong youth development and its history of athlete representation at world events and the Olympic Games. A cyclist from Durango has represented every Olympics since Mountain Biking was introduced in Atlanta in 1996, an extraordinary accomplishment for a small community in southwest Colorado.
Purgatory Resort and Race Details
The competition will unfold at Purgatory Resort, where the alpine setting offers a natural backdrop for three disciplines:
- Cross-Country (XCO): 1.8-mile course with 475 feet of climbing per lap
- Short Track (XCC): 0.66-mile course integrated into the village for easy spectator viewing
- Downhill (DHI): A refreshed version of the storied 2001 World Cup track with 1,500 feet of vertical descent
Each course will be built to UCI standards with input from experienced trail designers to create fair and exciting racing for athletes and fans.
A Community Effort
The Local Organizing Committee, led by Gaige Sippy, Hogan Koesis, and Todd Wells, in partnership with the City of Durango, Purgatory Resort, Visit Durango, and USA Cycling, will guide preparations. Their focus: hosting an event that reflects Durango’s welcoming character and commitment to responsible outdoor recreation.
Looking Ahead
The 2030 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will shine a light on Durango’s long-standing ties to mountain biking while also highlighting the vision behind Durango Mesa Park. For residents, visitors, and athletes, it’s a chance to celebrate how thoughtful planning and steady community support can create opportunities that last well beyond race week. Durango Mesa Park has facilitated long term planning to host future regional, state, national and international caliber events.
Stay tuned to hear more and for upcoming sponsorship and volunteer opportunities.
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