The Union Cycliste Internationale -UCI- and Warner Bros. Discovery -WBD- have, since 2023, consolidated an alliance that is reshaping mountain biking both in sporting and media terms. Beyond managing broadcast production, promotion and rights distribution, WBD drives a global strategy to unify disciplines, take the World Cup to new continents and strengthen the connection between the sport and its fans.
A key element of this transformation is technological innovation. At the opening of the 2025 season in Araxá (Brazil), WBD Sports Europe, in partnership with Amazon Web Services -AWS-, unveiled the Cycling Central Intelligence -CCI- platform, powered by generative AI. This tool provides commentators with instant access to historical data, rider performance statistics and venue details in real time, streamlining live storytelling.
Expansion begins in Asia
The international scope of this project will be reflected in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series 2026, which will take place over 14 weekends between May and October, across nine countries and three continents. The opening in MONA YongPyong (Republic of Korea) will mark the first-ever Olympic cross-country (XCO) and short track (XCC) races held in Asia, alongside the return of downhill (DHI) to the continent for the first time in 25 years.
“The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will add a new dimension with its arrival in Asia, and the intensity of such a demanding calendar will test both experienced riders and emerging talents,” noted UCI President David Lappartient, underlining the global expansion strategy.
Europe as the competitive core of the season
The European segment will open in Nové Město Na Moravě (Czechia) and Loudenvielle-Peyragudes (France), before a five-week block at leading venues such as Saalfelden Leogang – Salzburgerland (Austria), Lenzerheide (Switzerland), Pal Arinsal (Andorra) and La Thuile – Valle d’Aosta (Italy).
Enduro rounds will take place in Val di Fassa – Trentino (Italy) and Aletsch Arena – Bellwald, Valais (Switzerland), while the European season will conclude in Haute-Savoie (France) with two consecutive weekends, the final one dedicated exclusively to enduro.
North America and the Olympic profile
The closing stages of the season will unfold in the United States and Canada, featuring venues with strong Olympic links. Soldier Hollow – Midway (Utah), already home to the IBU Biathlon World Cup and part of the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, will host XCO and XCC events. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park (British Columbia) will stage a downhill round, while the series finale will be held at the Lake Placid Olympic Sites (New York), where the XCO, XCC and DHI World Cups will conclude.
“With new venues such as Whistler and the introduction of innovations like CCI, we are strengthening safety, global reach and the overall experience for teams, athletes and fans,” highlighted Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe. The CCI platform, launched by WBD in partnership with AWS, will continue to evolve with features such as performance analysis, expanded historical context, multilingual translation and tactical race evaluation.
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