A MAJOR international mountain biking competition will not hold a stage in Scotland for the first time in 20 years.
The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships has held a stage at Nevis Range near Fort William every year since 2002 - excluding the two years when events were postponed due to the pandemic.
However, organisers have announced that the competition will not come to Scotland next year.
Bosses at Nevis Range have said they are deeply disappointed at the decision not to hold the Fort William World Cup in 2025.
In a statement on social media, they said: “While this news is deeply disappointing for us and the entire mountain biking community, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the last 20 years, including EventScotland, The Highland Council, and Outdoor Capital of the UK, for their unwavering support over the years.
“The biggest thanks must of course go to Rare Management whose vision, ambition and dedication brought the event to the Highlands in the first place and gave us over 20 years of World Cups and Two World Championships.”
The event usually attracts up to 250 competitors and 21,000 spectators across the weekend and takes place in around May.
However, next year the tour will instead visit France and Austria during the time it is usually in Scotland.
The UCI have been contacted for comment.
