Purg(Durango) to host 2030 World Champs!

saw spomer post it in the race talk thread.

https://www.durangoworlds.com/

Pretty exciting. We live in Durango, and just got back from Champéry world champs. Going to be fun to see that craziness at Purg and in Durango.

I ride and ski up there all the time , and while it’s a little flat for skiing (nicknamed “Traversatory”) , it’s great terrain for mountain biking . Xc start line will be over 9k elevation

My biggest concern is that Purg is not typically been investing in the bike park program . Trails start and end in the middle of the mountain , for years now. The World Cup track is not currently up to World Cup standards. It’s tired, one lined, rain rutted, and had some awkward wood features. To be functioning at World Cup levels Purg will either need a total overhaul of the track or a completely new one . Most of the track is on Forest service property and leased to the ski company MCP, A track build out will require solid collaboration with the forest service. Something purgatory hasn’t been very successful at lately. See this article where they tried to install a lift with a 24 year old expired permit after advertising it all the previous winter and all summer . It’s now been delayed indefinitely.

https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/purgatory-resort-promised-a-new-…

here's the official PR w/ FAQs

official PR

Durango to Host 2030 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships ‘Worlds’ Return to Durango 40 Years After the City Hosted the Inaugural Event in 1990 Durango, Colo. [Sept. 25, 2025] — The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced today that Durango, Colorado, will be the host city of the 2030 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. The event marks the 40-year anniversary from when the town of Durango and Purgatory Resort hosted the very first UCI mountain bike world championships races in 1990. 

Leading into the World Championships in 2030, the “Worlds,” Durango will also host a major international mountain bike race in 2028 and a UCI World Cup race in 2029. All events will be held at Purgatory Resort and will include Downhill, Cross Country Olympic, Short Track and Ebike. “We're thrilled to once again host the World Championships at Purgatory Resort,” said Dave Rathbun, Purgatory’s general manager. “Biking and Durango are synonymous with each other. This is a great opportunity to showcase our community's commitment to the sport with the entire world.” The series of global events elevates Durango, Colorado as a global cycling homeland and solidifies the City as North America’s mountain biking capital. The area features over 300 miles of world-class singletrack traversing environments from high-desert to high-alpine. The elevation training advantage of 6,500 feet fuels the success of numerous on- and off-road Olympic and professional cyclists who call Durango home, and powers Fort Lewis College’s collegiate cycling team to multiple national titles. Most importantly, mountain biking continues to shape the very fabric of the mountain-town community. “We are beyond proud to announce the Worlds’ return to Durango 40 years after we pioneered the event in 1990,” said Durango Native Todd Wells, co-leader of the events and three-time Olympian mountain biker. “Mountain biking and cycling are woven into Durango’s DNA; from our pioneering spirit to the incredible trail infrastructure and our renowned junior-development programming, Durango is a true heartland of cycling. The 2030 World Championships will enable us to showcase our community on a global stage once again.” 

Gaige Sippy, long-time Iron Horse Bicycle Classic director and co-leader behind Durango’s World Championship bid, added: “Hosting the 2030 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships is both a tribute to our past and an investment in our future. The world’s best will once again race on trails that continue to build legends right here in our backyard. We can’t wait to welcome riders and fans from around the world back to Durango.” 

The City of Durango rose to international off-road cycling prominence when it hosted the inaugural UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 1990. The first-ever men’s mountain biking world championships was won by Ned Overend, who still calls Durango, Colorado home. Julie Furtado, a long- time Durango resident and the visionary behind Juliana bikes, won the women’s event. Greg Herbold, also a Durango resident, won the men’s downhill race event. The 1990 Worlds attracted the world’s best mountain bikers of the time and generated global interest in the sport among fans and media. “This is a momentous occasion for our community,” said Mayor Gilda Yazzie. “The city is honored to be chosen by the UCI to host this historic anniversary year, and we are thrilled to partner with Durango Cycling Championships and Purgatory Resort.” 

Durango is host to the renowned Iron Horse Bicycle Classic for close to 55 years, established one of the country’s first junior development cycling organizations, Durango Devo, and is the birthplace of world- class trail advocacy (with more than 300 miles of maintained trails) in non-profit Durango Trails. 

Durango has a remarkable record of producing top athletes in the sport—including numerous Olympians, professional cyclists, multiple world champions, and the most recent American Grand Tour winner in Sepp Kuss, who came up through the ranks in Durango’s cycling infrastructure, including formative years racing with Durango Devo’s Sweet Elite. Additional details on event routes, community programs, and ticketing will be announced in the coming months. Please follow @Durangoworlds2030 on Instagram and visit www.durangoworlds.com. Join the newsletter to be part of Durango’s journey to host the mountain bike world championships in 2030. 

About Durango, Colorado: Durango, Colorado has a vibrant community spirit shaped by its numerous, year-round outdoor adventure opportunities and is a veritable global hub for cycling. The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, The City of Durango and Purgatory Resort produced and hosted the very first UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 1990 and countless major cycling events since. Durango is celebrated for its trails, racing heritage, and enduring contributions to cycling. The City’s selection as host city for the 2030 World Mountain Bike Championships acknowledges its over-50-year legacy as North America's mountain biking capital. Durango features over 300 miles of world-class singletrack traversing high desert to alpine environments and an elevation training advantage of 6,500 feet. The 2030 “Worlds” represents a full-circle moment for the pinnacle of competitive mountain biking and celebrates the sport's grassroots heritage in the American West. Visit www.durangoworlds.com for more information.

FAQ: 2030 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Durango

Event Details
Q: When will the 2030 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships take place?
A: Specific dates are: August 28-September 1, 2030. More information will be announced in the coming months. The 2030 event marks the 40th anniversary of Durango hosting the inaugural UCI
Mountain Bike World Championships in 1990.
Q: What events will be included in the 2030 World Championships?
A: The championships will feature four disciplines: Downhill, Cross Country Olympic, Short Track, and E-bike competitions.
Q: Where will the races be held?
A: All events will take place at Purgatory Resort in Durango, Colorado.
Leading Events
Q: Are there other global cycling events coming to Durango before 2030?
A: Yes, Durango will host a major international mountain bike race in 2028 and a UCI World Cup race in 2029, building momentum toward the 2030 World Championships. Historical Significance
Q: Why is hosting the 2030 World Championships significant for Durango?
A: Durango hosted the very first UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 1990, making the 2030 event a 40-year anniversary celebration and a full-circle moment for competitive mountain biking, back in one of the cities that launched the sport.
Q: Who won the inaugural 1990 World Championships in Durango?
A: Ned Overend won the men's mountain biking championship, and Greg Herbold won the men's downhill race, both of whom still call Durango home. Julie Furtado won the women's event, and still has strong ties to Durango.
Durango's Cycling Infrastructure
Q: What makes Durango suitable for hosting world-class cycling events?
A: Durango offers over 300 miles of world-class singletrack trails ranging from high-desert to high-alpine environments, an elevation training advantage at 6,500 feet, and a rich cycling heritage including the 55-year-old beloved bike racing weekend, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.
Q: What notable cycling programs exist in Durango?
A: Durango is home to Durango Devo (one of the country's first junior development cycling organizations), Trails 2000 (trail advocacy organization), and Fort Lewis College's nationally successful collegiate cycling team.
Tickets and Information
Q: When will ticketing information be available?
A: Ticketing details will be announced in the coming months along with information about event routes and community programs. Follow @Durangoworlds2030 on Instagram, visit www.durangoworlds.com, and join the newsletter to receive updates about the 2030 World Championships.
Community Impact
Q: How does this event benefit Durango?
A: The World Championships elevates Durango as a global cycling homeland, solidifies its position as North America's mountain biking capital, and provides an opportunity to showcase the community on a global stage.
Q: What is Durango's cycling legacy?
A: Durango has produced numerous Olympians, professional cyclists, multiple world cycling champions, and the most recent American Grand Tour winner Sepp Kuss, who grew up riding Durango’s trails and spent important formative years in Durango Devo's Sweet Elite program.
Q: What else is there to do in Durango other than cycling?
A: We are home to the most scenic narrow gauge railroad in the country, Mesa Verde National Park(UNESCO World Heritage Site), white water rafting on the Animas River right through town, Lake Nighthorse for boating and swimming and just about any other outdoor activity you could imagine
Q: How do you get to Durango, Colorado?
A: Durango is served by Durango La Plata airport 15 minutes from downtown that has connecting flights from Denver, Phoenix and Dallas. We are a remote town but the closest international airport is in Albuquerque NM 3:30 hours away.

Enjoy : https://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/World-Cup-Downhill-and-Dual-fr…

HBCTC in 1990!