The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series is more than just a weekend of big races — it’s a chance for shared, high-energy experiences that bring people together in the excitement. 

Hosting major events like this is a key part of the Olympic Authority’s mission. But as this earlier article explains, the impact goes far beyond ticket sales and tourism. During this year’s mountain bike event, our team organized purposeful activities to make sure the benefits extended beyond the adrenaline and competition.  

GRIND Junior Cross-Country Mountain Bike Races – Organized for young riders at all levels, Saturday morning’s Grind Junior races gave young riders a chance to experience the thrill of racing with pro riders at the same event with their start and finish on the official World Series track and the crowd cheering them all on.  

Riders chose from doing one, two, or three laps on a vigorous two-mile course that included fast and wide cross-country ski trails, sections of twisty singletrack, and a big climb, too. The experience was just like the elite rider races, complete with official race numbers, announcers, and a ceremony with awards for the top finishers in each age category.  

Participating were hundreds of local youth and young riders from all over visiting with their families. “It’s really cool we can come here and do this,” says 10-year-old Alexa from Pennsylvania. “I would say everyone should try mountain biking because this is really fun.”  

A mother of two young riders in the youth races, Elysa Dickinson from Clifton Park, was equally impressed with the opportunity. “This is the first time they’re racing, and I think it’s awesome they get to come and participate. We were excited to come last year just to see riders from around the world, and we’re all especially excited now for them to come and ride with the pros.”  

School Group Event Access – Olympic Authority team members coordinated with school leaders to provide complimentary group visits at the World Series activities. The Saranac Lake eighth grade, the Lake Placid sixth grade, and Boquet Valley ninth grade all came to Whiteface Mountain for a unique learning experience in which they were able to view the racing, explore the venue and trail, and enjoy the festival activities with the supervision of adult chaperones and event staff.   

Trash Free Trails Initiative in Partnership with AON Racing – Spectators and everyone attending the downhill races at Whiteface Mountain were invited to pick up a bag and join in a post-race clean-up effort along with the AON team’s athletes. Up and down the mountain volunteers worked to be sure all trash was picked up from the crowd of nearly 8,000 watching the excitement over several days. In this way, the Olympic Authority, AON Racing, and the not-for-profit Trash Free Trails worked together to integrate sustainability into the event and eliminate litter along the entire length of the trail.  

Impacts Beyond the Races 

When combined with the audiences, athletes, and the excitement at an event like the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the Olympic Authority team can create positive impacts far beyond the ordinary. These community-minded initiatives – all grounded in positive values and creating unique opportunities for our local communities and our visitors – augment other major impacts of this event, highlights of which include:  

  • Attendance & Economic Impact:
    Over 17,400 attendees across three days, including 8,100+ at Whiteface Mountain on Saturday — the largest single-day turnout since the 1980 Winter Olympics. Early indicators point to strong direct economic impact and increased regional visitation. 
  • Historic Athletic Achievement:
    U.S. rider Christopher Blevins made history, becoming the first American in over 30 years to win a UCI Cross-Country World Cup — and did so on home soil. 
  • Global Reach & Media Coverage:
    Broadcasted live across major platforms including HBO Max, Eurosport, and FloSports, with 134 accredited media on-site. Social media engagement exceeded 4.2 million impressions, with a 12.75% engagement rate — over 9x the industry average. 
  • Youth & Community Engagement:
    Over 450 youth participated in races and community events, including school visits and a ride with the pros — reinforcing Lake Placid’s role in developing future athletes. 
  • Athlete Development:
    381 athletes from 30+ countries competed, including 15 U.S. riders and five from the Northeast. Junior and U23 categories offered critical development opportunities. 

The Olympic Authority delivers world-class programs and events that make a real difference for people of all ages and abilities. Across our communities, our work builds skills, strengthens connections, and creates lasting benefits.