The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has today published the list of UCI Mountain Bike Teams for 2017.
In total, 139 teams from 30 countries have been registered for the 2017 season. Two nations - Slovakia and the Republic of Korea - have registered a team for the first time.
An overall increase in the number of teams and riders is particularly noticeable in the Olympic discipline, which sees the registration of nine more Endurance (XC) teams and nearly 50 more riders than in 2016.
As in previous years, 30 teams (15 Endurance teams and 15 Gravity teams) have been awarded UCI ELITE Mountain Bike status. Invitations to join this higher tier of teams were issued to the top 12 Endurance (XC) teams of a special ranking which was established based on the individual UCI points won by the riders up until December 31st 2016. Invitations to the top 12 Gravity (DHI) teams were issued on the basis of the individual riders’ final 2016 UCI World Cup standings and 2016 UCI World Championships results. The three remaining teams of each format (XC and DHI) were selected at the UCI’s discretion.
UCI ELITE Mountain Bike teams benefit from advantages including free entry to all races on the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar in the discipline in which the team has ELITE status. This includes free entry, and an obligation to enter at least one rider, into all rounds of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano.
Endurance
UCI MTB Team Ranking - Endurance
Gravity
UCI MTB Team Ranking - Gravity