An ideal playground for Olympic Cross-country

From 10 to 14 September 2025, Crans-Montana will play host to the world's Cross-country elite at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. On this occasion, the supreme mountain biking discipline will take place in a spectacular setting that is both technical and demanding. A real sporting challenge, where strategy, power and mental strength come into play on every bend in the track.

Cross-country: a spectacular discipline combining endurance and strategy

Cross-country is a cycling discipline which takes place on rough, technical terrain. Riders must be able to pedal at high intensity, overcoming a variety of natural or built obstacles.

The discipline first appeared in the 1980s, and rapidly gained in popularity, culminating in its inclusion in the Olympic programme at the Atlanta Games in 1996. Today, races take place on loops of 4 to 5 kilometres, doing several circuits each time, with a series of climbs and descents over different types of terrain such as forest paths, single tracks or rock gardens. 

Cross-country is an endurance sport, but it also demands effort management and strategy. An attack at the wrong time can be costly. An ill-timed climb can cost you precious seconds. In short, it's sport in its purest form! 

* Single track: a type of narrow path, usually just wide enough to accommodate one bike at a time, as opposed to wider tracks or roads.
** Rock garden: rock gardens add difficulty by offering different trajectory options.

A course designed to be a spectacle

The course promises to be as demanding as it is spectacular, while offering visitors a unique experience. The riders will be racing on the now famous route between the centre of Crans-Montana and Lake Chermignon, and it has been slightly reworked for this edition. The result will be a unique experience for spectators.

The programme:

• An altitude gain of around 160 m to really put the body to the test
• Particularly technical downhill sections, especially in the forest.
• Strategic overtaking zones and «punch climbs» (short explosive climbs) for decisive attacks
• Large areas visible from the spectator areas, so you don't miss any of the action

Athletes to watch in 2025

Who will dominate the cross-country events this year? The level will be exceptional, with several big names to keep a close eye on:

• Jolanda Neff (Switzerland) – Olympic champion in 2021, Jolanda Neff combines style, technique and determination. A safe bet, always capable of remarkable feats.
• Nino Schurter (Switzerland) – Cross-country icon. At 39, he remains formidable. Every race is a masterclass.
• Christopher Blevins (USA) – The man of the moment. Short Track World Champion in 2021 and current leader in the Olympic Cross-country rankings, the American is one to watch very closely.
• Puck Pieterse (The Netherlands) – The Dutch phenomenon. At just 22 years of age, she is rewriting the rule book with power and audacity.
• Tom Pidcock (United Kingdom) – The child prodigy. Olympic champion, equally at home on the road or in the forest. Guaranteed to put on a show every race.

Why come and see Cross-country live?

Cross-country is a sport to be experienced with all your senses: the sound of the wheels on stones, the shouts of the spectators, the cyclists’ faces tense with effort. The spectacle is intense, physical, sometimes brutal, but always deeply human.

«Seeing these athletes climb an impossible hill or hurtle down scree at full speed...it gives you chills.» 
— Spectator at the 2024 World Cup

In Crans-Montana, several spectator zones will be set up so you can make the most of the action:

• Key viewpoints on decisive sections such as the «Rock Garden», «Timber Garden» and the « Waterfall ».
• Entertainment, giant screens, catering areas and plenty of surprises.
• Easy access by public transport

Crans-Montana promises to be the perfect stage to write a new page in the history of cross-country. Whether you're a cycling enthusiast or just a fan of  adventure sports, these World Championships promise to be an unforgettable experience.

Important: Access to the course is reserved for ticket holders only. Don't wait any longer, book your tickets now!

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Tip: Stay a few extra days to explore the region's mountain bike trails, which are suitable for all levels, or simply enjoy the many different activities on offer in Crans-Montana.

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