The new rules or modifications to the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike regulations have been approved by the UCI Management Committee. The 2009 UCI MTB regulations will be published on the UCI website from December.

The most important changes are listed below:

UCI MTB World Cup:

World Cup Participation: will basically remain the same as last year except that riders belonging to a UCI MTB Team will need the 20 UCI points as well to participate at UCI MTB World Cup.

World Cup Registration: will remain the same as last year. It will be through the online registration system.

World Cup – Lates Entries:

– the rule concerning the late entries from national federations has not changed, will remains 300CHF per riders
– Late entries from UCI MTB teams: a fine of CHF 300 for the first rider and where more than one rider is involved, a total fine of CHF 500 shall be paid.

World Cup – Junior Cross-country from 2009:

For the XCO juniors events, the “20 UCI points” rule does not apply. All riders in cross-country Juniors World Cup events must wear national team clothing.

Each national federation may enter 6 riders per category (men and women). The national federation of the organising country may register two national teams of 6 riders (A and B teams) for both men and women.

Only national federations can enter junior riders using the UCI’s on-line registration system.

There is no individual cross country general classification for juniors.

World Cup – Award Ceremony

The following riders must attend:
– The five first riders in the elite event;
– The leader of the elite general classification after the event in question;
– The first three riders in the XCO under 23 event;
– The leader of the XCO under 23 general classification after the event in question;
– The leader of the DHI juniors general classification after the event in question;
– The first UCI MTB team of the event in question;
– The first three in the XCO juniors World Cup events

UCI MTB Team World Cup Standings: will be the same as last year.
Riders of the leading UCI MTB team shall be given yellow number plates which must be used during the World Cup.

World Cup – Start Order – Cross-country Olympic:
In the start order procedure, the call-up will be:
– the first 60 Elite Men and the first 40 Women of the World Cup Standings
– the first ten under 23 men and women in the most recent UCI individual classification (riders not already placed in the first 60 men and the first 40 women in the world cup classification)
– then by UCI Individual Classification

World Cup – Start Number – Cross-country Olympic:
Riders who submitted a late registration which was approved by the UCI will be allocated the next available highest race number, with the exception of the first 60 men and the first 40 women in the most recent world cup classification for whom the race number will be reserved.

World Cup – Start Order – Downhill:

The start order for the semi-final and the race numbers are determined as follows:
– the general classification of the current world cup for the first 80 men and the first 20 women in that classification.
– For the first event: as per the final individual general classification of the world cup of the preceding season for the first 80 men and the first 20 women in that classification.
– then, as per the last UCI individual classification.
– then by drawing lots for the other riders.

World Cup – Start Number – Downhill:
Riders who submitted a late registration which was approved by the UCI will be allocated the next available highest race number, with the exception of the first 80 men and the first 20 women in the most recent world cup classification for whom the race number will be reserved.

– Permanent season numbers will no be attributed as from 2009

Protections in Downhill/4X:
An approved full-face helmet must be worn properly fastened both when racing and when training on the course. The helmet must be fitted with a visor. Open-face helmets may not be worn.

The UCI strongly recommends that riders wear the following protection:
– back, elbow, knee and shoulder protectors made of rigid materials;
– protection for the nape of the neck and the cervical vertebrae;
– padding on shins and thighs;
– full-length trousers made from rip-resistant material incorporating protection for the knees and calves, or broad-cut shorts made from rip-resistant material plus knee and calf protectors with a rigid surface;
– long sleeved shirt;
– full finger gloves.