UCI WORLD CUP MTB RACE COMING IN 2024

BETA is psyched to hear that the UCI World Cup cross-country mountain bike race is coming to our backyard, Mt. Van Hoevenberg, in September 2024. We can’t wait to share both the stoke of our trails and the warmth of our trails community. Like you, however, we are also aware of the challenges to our trails and community that come with hosting such a significant event, and our aim is to collaborate with the organizers to address these issues.

With your support, BETA has sustainably expanded trail infrastructure in our region over the past decade, improving quality of life in our communities and providing new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. According to ORDA, the UCI World Cup race is expected to draw between 5,000 and 8,000 spectators, many of whom will hit the trails. For comparison, our largest event, the Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival, has around 300 folks attending, and the Wilmington Whiteface 100K mountain bike race in June draws a similar number of riders. 

The World Cup will bring our biggest influx of trail users ever and our current trailheads and parking areas lack the capacity to handle such numbers. We've been having discussions with ORDA for months with the goal of working together to mitigate some of these challenges. Although we have concerns about ORDA’s response to our efforts to engage thus far, given their recent creation of a stakeholder committee, we remain hopeful for a positive outcome with a successful, community-centered event.

​BETA is deeply invested in maintaining the trust and well-being of you - our local stakeholders, and we will continue to represent your interests and keep you informed. We hope that ORDA will meaningfully address our concerns and we look forward to working with the race organizers to ensure this event is a success in every way.