Sion, 4 May 2023. From 2023 until 2025, the CM MTB UCI Valais 2025 Association aims to create a sustainable legacy for cycling and mountain biking in the Valais. To this end, it is developing and strengthening several projects alongside the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. These are based on four pillars: youth, women's participation, young riders and infrastructure.
The organisation of an international multidisciplinary event such as the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships is a unique opportunity for the Valais to position itself as a benchmark cycling/mountain bike destination. According to Julien Hess, Director of the CM MTB UCI Valais 2025 Association, it is important to seize this opportunity to help promote the sustainable use of two-wheelers: « The organisation of the UCI Valais 2025 Mountain Bike World Championships brings unprecedented visibility to the Valais and to Switzerland. It is an extraordinary springboard for highlighting existing projects and an incredible boost for their deployment. With the World Championships, our aim is to make a mark and leave a trace before, during and after 2025. This notion of sustainability should serve as a catalyst and encourage the development of projects in collaboration with our many partners ».
Heritage projects for the Valais
In concrete terms, these projects focus on four main pillars: youth, women's participation, young riders and infrastructure. They are aimed at different target groups in order to reach a maximum number of people. Young people are the first to benefit. The youth pillar seeks to promote cycling among children in order to democratise it within the canton. One of the objectives is to introduce the Valais inhabitants to the wide range of cycling disciplines: road cycling, BMX, trials and mountain biking. The objective of the young riders pillar is to detect and support talent towards the professional level in order to ensure a greater presence of Valais inhabitants in national and international competitions. In addition, it is important to put in place measures to encourage the practice of cycling for women and to accompany this development, both at the cantonal and national levels. Finally, several projects aim to improve the existing infrastructure and to federate the stakeholders in order to offer cyclists and mountain bikers who travel through the Valais an unforgettable overall experience.
All these measures are intended to strengthen and provide fertile ground for projects linked to the development of cycling and mountain biking in Valais. The involvement and collaboration of all the cantonal and national players, such as Swiss Cycling, plays an essential role in the success of the legacy projects. « The scope of these World Championships extends far beyond competitive sport. The legacy projects, which the Organising Committee has initiated with us, will help to promote cycling and cycling in the Valais in the long term. Together, we want to promote cycling among children and then support young people in their development as cyclists », explains Hans Harnisch, Head of Youth Development at Swiss Cycling.
Youth, the future of the Valais
The youth pillar thus represents the basis for learning about cycling. « It is important that Valais inhabitants have positive experiences from an early age. They form the base of the pyramid of cycling enthusiasts. For this to happen, they must be given the right support. With this in mind, we are continuing our efforts and focusing our priorities from 2023 on two flagship projects for the Valais, in close collaboration with Swiss Cycling », comments Steve Morabito, President of the Valais Cycling Federation. The first project consists of implementing the Swiss Cycling Academy 4 Kids at cantonal level. Based on the ski school model, the aim is to strengthen the structure of the training clubs by introducing a standardised system of levels and the awarding of a Velopass that will determine the progress of the young people trained in the clubs. This is an opportunity for young cyclists to master all the basics in a fun way, and for the Valais Cycling Federation to mentor talent and ensure the next generation, another important pillar of these legacy projects. In parallel, the continuity of the VELOVE project, which has been in place for several years, aims to share the passion for two-wheeled vehicles in complete safety. To this end, Jeunesse & Sport instructors continue to give courses in the canton's schools. However, it is necessary to increase the number of annual courses in order to reach a maximum number of young people. This project will also be adapted to meet the criteria of the national bikecontrol programme.
The Valais. A paradise for two-wheelers.
These legacy projects contribute to enhancing the assets of the Valais. The canton offers many advantages for cycling and mountain biking. "The Valais has a varied topography, suitable for all disciplines and all levels. Moreover, it is possible to ride most of the year thanks to the low altitude routes and maximum sunshine. This makes it a privileged place for both amateurs and professionals," says Raphaël Favre, Brand Activation Director at Valais/Wallis Promotion.
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