Mountain Biking (World Series)·Individual Sports

UCI

🏛️Official — UCI

WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series — Competition Rules· 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series — integrated multi-discipline circuit (XCO, XCC, DHI, Enduro, E-Enduro, Pump Track), Discovery Sports / WBD partnership since 2023Open source

New to Mountain Biking (World Series)?

Start with our beginner-friendly guide — simplified rules and essential steps.

Beginner Guide

At a glanceEverything you need to set up a game

1 players

Players

Outdoor

Environment

bike, saddlebag

Think the rules should be different?

Create your own version of Mountain Biking (World Series) with custom rules. Build community support and it could become officially recognized.

Create Your Version

Explore All Sports

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.

UCI

About

Related Sports

Full Rulebook(9 sections)

Overview

How to win

The game

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: Equipment

Section 3: Playing Area

Section 4: Players & Officials

Section 5: Rules of Play

Format Structure

Series-Level Rules

Section 6: Scoring

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Playing the ball

Fouls & penalties

Equipment

Sports with a similar feel(3)

Version History(1)

More from UCI(2)

Variations of Mountain Biking(1)