Mairiporã, municipality of Brazil in the State of São Paulo, part of the Metropolitana de São Paulo mesoregion and the Franco da Rocha microregion.
The UCI took action early this year and has already confirmed the 2024 Mountain Bike World Cup race program which we recall includes Cross Country, DH and Enduro.
The first round of the debut will be in Brazil with a double stage in Mairiporã and Araxa. In these 2 places the first 2 stages of the Cross Country World Cup will be held.
Where is Mairipora located?
Located an hour north of downtown São Paulo, near Brazil's southern coast, is Mairiporã, which means "beautiful city." The highest point in the surrounding area is the Serra da Cantareira where it reaches an altitude of just over 1100 m.
Cantareira State Park protects much of São Paulo's water supply and has been home to many extreme sports such as paragliding and mountain biking for many years.
Have there been races here before?
Since 2019, Mairiporã has hosted some top-level XCO races, the most recent being the 2023 MTB Festival which boasted an entry list full of South American UCI World Cup regulars and local talent.
How is the route?
The track of the Arena iMTB Bike Park on which the UCI Mountain Bike World Series athletes will ride will be a slightly evolved version of the one run at the MTB Festival. It's a fast, extensively tested route through the forest, designed to encourage overtaking and close quarters. It will be suitable for powerful bikers as often happens on the latest World Cup tracks.
Who are the favourites?
It's the opening round of the season - who knows?! Last season's overall title winners Puck Pieterse (XCC, XCO), Luca Schwarzbauer (XCC) and Nino Schurter (XCO) will definitely be one to keep an eye on.
