World Cup finals for Fort William

Fort William is to host the finals of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, the first time it has been held in the UK.

Aonach Mor from Aonach BeagChampions of downhill, cross country and 4-cross will be decided on the slopes of Aonach Mor, nestled in the shadow of Ben Nevis.

Organiser Mike Jardine said: "The eyes of the mountain bike world will be firmly focused on us at the World Cup finals from 9-11 September.

"And we're aiming high - larger and louder crowds, plus more competitors."

The grand finale of the most prestigious and most extreme competition in the mountain bike calendar follows qualifying events in Europe, North America and South America over the last six months.

More than 450 world class riders from more than 35 countries, together with more than 20,000 spectators, are expected.

Aonach Mor beyond Carn Mor DeargThe finals will help preparations for the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships, coming to Fort William in September 2007 - the first-ever mountain bike world championships to be held in the UK.

"Fort William is firmly established as one of the best mountain bike events in the world," said Jardine.

"We have a unique opportunity to work with the venues, the funding partners, sponsors and the local community to deliver continuous improvement and progressively bigger and better festivals of mountain biking in the next three years - and the work starts now."

The Nevis Range ski area and Leanachan Forest has successfully hosted rounds of the World Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004.