Great news for Croatia as its bid to host a World Cup in 2018 has been successful. Losinj will host the first round of the 2018 World Cup series in April.

Photo: Seb Schiek

Riders have been calling for a shake up of World Cup venues for a few years now and it looks like 2018 may bring it. A provisional calendar shows Croatia kicking off the season followed by six other rounds. Classic French venue, La Bresse is also making a return to the World Cup circuit.

Losinj currently hosts an annual UCI Cat 1 race but this will be the biggest downhill race in Croatia’s history. Congrats to the local club who put in the hard work to bring the event together. Unfortunately neighbouring Maribor‘s bid was unsuccessful but local reports seem to suggest only one of the two was likely to succeed anyway.

La Bresse last hosted a downhill World Cup in 2011, which was won by Greg Minnaar and Tracy Moseley. Steve Peat and Sabrina Jonnier have both also picked up wins there.

The full calendar is completed by Fort William, Leogang, Val di Sole, Vallnord and Mont Sainte Anne. The year will be rounded off by the World Championships in Lenzerheide.

2018 mountain bike World Cup Calendar (provisional)

March 7-10 – Stellenbosch (RSA) XCO
April 21/22 – Lošinj (Cro) DHI
May 19/20 – Nove Mesto na Morave (Cze) XCO
May 26/27 – Albstadt (Ger) XCO
June 2/3 – Fort William (GBr) DHI
June 9/10 – Leogang (Aut) DHI
July 7/8 – Val di Sole (Ita) XCO/DHI
July 14/15 – Vallnord (And) XCO/DHI
August 11/12 – Mont-Sainte-Anne (Can) XCO/DHI
August 25/26 – La Bresse (Fra) XCO/DHI
September 4-9 – Lenzerheide (Sui) World Championships XCO/XCR/DHI