Fort William has hosted a Downhill World Cup every year since 2002 â except in 2010, when it had the honour of hosting the World Championships instead â making it one of the longest running and most successful venues on the mountain biking calendar. The car park at the foot of the Nevis Range gondola becomes a huge pits and expo area, and the buzz is truly massive. If it's your first time at the Fort it can all be a bit overwhelming, so here are our tips for making the most of the weekend as a spectator.
Aonach Mor is a big old hill. We'd recommend jumping on the gondola to the top and then slowly making your way down beside the track â the sound of the marshals' whistles will let you know when there's a rider approaching so you can watch the world's best at work. Here are some of the key sections we'd recommend checking out...
1 Up top
ADVERTISEMENT
Racers may not be able to win the Fort William World Cup up top, but they can definitely lose it here. The weather is a huge factor â when last year's winner Troy Brosnan left the start hut it was raining yet he finished the race in blazing sunshine. The Bus Stop is the first real test on the track and an ideal spot to watch the pros punish their machinery during timed training.
Riders to watch: Josh Bryceland and Danny Hart are masters of making this section ride as wide as possible.
2 The Deer Gate
You can read more at BikeRadar.com