Shannon McGowan, Author at Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine

The Superbowl of the mountain biking world is coming back to the South. The Union Cycliste Internationale Mountain Bike (UCI MTB) World Cup returns to Snowshoe Mountain this summer, marking the West Virginia resort’s third time hosting the marquee event on the World Cup circuit of downhill, cross-country, and short-track racing. Photo by Shannon McGowan Photo by Shannon McGowan Snowshoe first hosted the event in September 2019, which also marked the race’s first time in the United States in nearly half a decade. Drawing a crowd of nearly 15,000 fans, it was celebrated as one of the most memorable World Cup races of all time, earning Pinkbike's coveted "Event of the Year." Photo by Shannon McGowan Photo by Shannon McGowan “Admittedly, I was pretty skeptical when it was announced that Snowshoe would be hosting a World Cup,” Russell Finsterwald, one of the U.S.’s top bikers, said recalling the event. “I knew the track could be World Cup worthy, but being out in the boonies four hours away from any major city had me worried it was going to feel a bit deserted, but boy was I wrong.” Photos by Shannon McGowan The event returned in 2021 and did not disappoint. Between the perfect weather, the enthusiastic crowd, and incredibly exciting results, it was a well-received success. Results from Snowshoe 2021 Photo by Shannon McGowan Snowshoe has become a top-tier biking destination in the past 25 years, hosting NORBA Nationals, AMBC, Monster Park, Collegiate National Championships, multiple Pro GRT Series stops, and the 2017 and 2018 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships. The resort’s trails offer a range of technical challenges, including roots, rocks, and steep grades. Photo by Shannon McGowan Photo by Shannon McGowan “Last year Snowshoe in West Virginia, USA, delivered one of the most exciting World Cup finals in recent history,” Redbull posted on its website, where fans can stream the live events. “While the downhill course here is technical, the cross-country course is fast – and famous for close races.” Photos by Shannon McGowan Although Snowshoe will not be hosting the cup finals, like it did in 2019 and 2021, the event is still one of the most anticipated mountain biking races in the country this year. The top mountain bikers in the world will be going head to head at Snowshoe Mountain this summer from July 29-31. Photo by Shannon McGowan The Full UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Schedule 26-27 MAR 2022 Lourdes (FRA)08-10 APR 2022 Petropolis (BRA)06-08 MAY 2022 Albstadt (GER)13-15 MAY 2022 Nove Mesto Na Morave (CZE)21-22 MAY 2022 Fort William (GBR)10-12 JUN 2022 Leogang (AUT)08-10 JUL 2022 Lenzerheide (SUI)15-17 JUL 2022 Vallnord Pal Arinsal (AND)29-31 JUL 2022 Snowshoe (USA)05-07 AUG 2022 Mont-Sainte-Anne (CAN)02-04 SEP 2022 Val di Sole (ITA) Photo by Shannon McGowan Photo by Shannon McGowan All photos capture the events of the UCI MTB World Cup 2021. All photos by Shannon McGowan. All rights reserved.

Shannon McGowan

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Shannon McGowan

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