sport uci mountain bike world cup
Four - cross ( 4X ), also called mountain - cross , not to be confused with fourcross , is a relatively new style of mountain bike racing where four bikers race downhill on a prepared , BMX like , track , simply trying to get down first . These bikes are generally either full suspension with 3 to 4 inches of travel , or hardtails , and typically have relatively strong frames . They run a chainguide on front and gears on the back . They have slack head angles , short chainstays and low bottom brackets for good cornering and acceleration . In recent years the tracks raced on have been rougher and less like those used in BMX . BMX , an abbreviation for bicycle ___MASK13___ , is a cycle sport performed on BMX bikes , either in competitive BMX racing or freestyle BMX , or else in general on - or off - road recreation . BMX began when young cyclists appropriated ___MASK13___ tracks for fun , racing and stunts , eventually evolving specialized BMX bikes and competitions . A mountain bike or mountain bicycle ( abbreviated Mtn Bike , MTB ; or ATB , for all - terrain bicycle ) is a bicycle designed for off - road ___MASK5___ . Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes , but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain . These typically include suspension on the frame and fork , large knobby tires , more durable heavy duty wheels , more powerful brakes , and lower gear ratios needed for steep grades with poor traction . Mountain bike racing ( shortened MTB or ATB racing ) is a competitive ___MASK51___ held on off - road terrain . The Union Cycliste Internationale ( UCI ) recognised the discipline relatively late in 1990 , when it sanctioned the world championships in Durango , Colorado . The first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup series took place in 1988 . Its nine - race circuit covered two continents  Europe and North America  and was sponsored by Grundig . Cross - country racing was the only World Cup sport at this time . In 1993 , a six - event downhill World Cup was introduced . In 1996 , cross - country ___MASK47___ events were added to the Olympic Games . In 2006 , cross - country ___MASK47___ events became part of the World Deaf Cycling Championships for the first time in San Francisco , USA . ___MASK5___ , also called bicycling or biking , is the use of bicycles for transport , recreation , exercise or sport . Persons engaged in ___MASK5___ are referred to as " cyclists ", " bikers ", or less commonly , as " bicyclists ". Apart from two - wheeled bicycles , " ___MASK5___ " also includes the riding of unicycles , tricycles , quadracycles , recumbent and similar human - powered vehicles ( HPVs ). The Union Cycliste Internationale , commonly known by the acronym UCI , is the world governing body for sports ___MASK5___ and oversees international competitive ___MASK5___ events . The UCI is based in Aigle , Switzerland . The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is a multi - round mountain bike racing series that is sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale . The first World Cup series -- which was composed of cross - country events -- was held in 1989 . The Downhill World Cup was inaugurated two years later , and the Dual Slalom World Cup was launched in 1998 . The dual - slalom format -- which involved knock - out heats with two riders on the parallel courses in each heat -- evolved into four - cross ( with four riders on a single course per heat ) in 2002 before being dropped after the 2011 season . Riders win points according to their placing in each event . The reigning series leaders in each class are identified by a special jersey . ___MASK51___ is competitive physical activity using bicycles . There are several categories of bicycle racing including ___MASK72___ , time trialling , cyclo - cross , mountain bike racing , track ___MASK5___ , BMX , and cycle speedway . Non - racing ___MASK5___ sports include artistic ___MASK5___ , cycle polo , freestyle BMX and mountain bike trials . The Union Cycliste Internationale ( UCI ) is the world governing body for ___MASK5___ and international competitive ___MASK5___ events . The International Human Powered Vehicle Association is the governing body for human - powered vehicles that imposes far fewer restrictions on their design than does the UCI . The ___MASK94___ Cycling Association is the governing body for many ultra - distance ___MASK5___ races . Fourcross is a form of four - wheeled downhill ___MASK47___ , pioneered in Canada and the United States . It has the benefit of being suitable for disabled riders . The sport each year is part of the Crankworx festival