Section 1: Introduction
The UCI Mountain Bike World Series is the integrated premier competition circuit operating under the UCI's overall MTB regulatory framework. Launched in 2023 via a multi-year partnership between the UCI and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports (WBD), the World Series consolidates the previously separate World Cup-level events for Cross-Country (XCO/XCC), Downhill (DHI), and Enduro (EDR) under a single calendar, broadcast package, and ranking system. The 2026 season is sponsored as the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. For the base UCI MTB regulations, see the sibling UCI Mountain Bike Rules entry.
Section 2: Equipment
- All UCI equipment standards apply (frame, wheel sizes 27.5"/29", hydraulic disc brakes, helmet, tyre specs)
- Series-mandated tracking transponders fitted by series technical staff
- WBD broadcast crew may attach approved on-bike cameras at select events
- Series-specific timing system (Race|Result or equivalent), GPS overlays for TV graphics
- Tech zone equipment standards aligned with UCI Part 4
Section 3: Playing Area
- Series rounds at homologated UCI venues across Europe, North America, Oceania
- 2026 calendar includes ~7-9 rounds (XCO/XCC), ~7-9 rounds (DHI), ~7-9 rounds (EDR)
- Some rounds co-host XCO + DHI + EDR weekends (e.g., Val di Sole, Leogang)
- Course homologation timeline tightened for World Series rounds (TV-broadcast camera positions, helicopter access)
Section 4: Players & Officials
- Elite Men, Elite Women, U23 Men, U23 Women categories per discipline
- Series entry restricted to UCI Elite-tier license holders + UCI quotas per nation
- Officials: UCI Race Director + Technical Delegate + WBD broadcast liaison
- Series enforces uniform commissaire panel composition across all rounds
Section 5: Rules of Play
Format Structure
- XCO round: single-mass-start, 4-7 laps, 80-100 min target winning time
- XCC (short track): separate short-track race on Friday, used for XCO grid seeding Sunday
- DHI round: seeding run + finals run; fastest aggregate time wins
- EDR round: multi-stage timed format, 4-6 stages over 1-2 days, aggregated time
Series-Level Rules
- Mandatory series-entry commitment (riders must commit to all rounds for full points)
- Drop-the-worst scoring: best 7 of 9 rounds count toward final standings
- Series leader's jersey (presented at each round)
- Series-wide anti-doping testing pool
Section 6: Scoring
- Round points: top-30 finishers earn points on a sliding scale (250 winner → 1 for 30th, typical scale)
- Series standings: aggregate of best 7 of 9 round results
- Series Champion: highest series total at season's end → awarded series jersey + integrated into UCI MTB World Ranking
- Worlds Championship (separate event) still produces UCI rainbow jersey per discipline
Section 7: Violations & Penalties
- All UCI MTB violations apply (course-cutting, outside assistance, mechanical doping)
- Series-specific: missed round without prior medical certificate → forfeit of round points + potential next-round grid penalty
- Broadcast non-compliance (refusal to participate in on-bike camera or interview) → series fine
- Anti-doping: WADA Code; positive test in season → annulment of all series results + minimum 2-year suspension
Section 8: Safety Considerations
All UCI MTB safety standards apply (helmets, full-face for DHI/EDR, course inspection, on-site medical). Series-specific upgrades: dedicated medical helicopter on standby for DHI/EDR rounds; tighter weather-stop protocol (lightning radius ≤ 10 km halts racing); two-stage course evacuation plan per round; series medical director presides over concussion-protocol decisions. Mandatory rider safety briefings before each round. Riders re-enter rotation only after independent SCAT-5 evaluation post-concussion.
