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Whoop UCI Mountain Bike World Series | Lake Placid | October 2-4. 2026


  • Lake Placid Lake Placid, New York, 12946 United States (map)

World-Class Mountain Biking Returns to Lake Placid for the UCI Season Finale

mountain bike racer in Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains.

Get ready for a loud and fast tournament.

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series returns to Lake Placid October 2–4, 2026, bringing three days of elite mountain bike racing to Mt Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks. This is not simply another stop on the circuit: Lake Placid hosts the season finale, where the final Cross-Country, Short Track and Downhill World Cup races will help decide the year's overall champions.

It is also becoming a substantial Adirondack fall event. Last year's races drew a combined attendance of 17,400 across Mt Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface, and 2026 marks the World Series' third consecutive year in Lake Placid.

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Two Adirondack mountains, three styles of racing.

The weekend splits the action between two Olympic venues. Mt Van Hoevenberg hosts Cross-Country Olympic and Short Track racing, while Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington provides a much steeper stage for Downhill.

Friday begins with Downhill training at Whiteface and Short Track racing at Mt Van Hoevenberg. Elite women's and men's Short Track World Cup races start at 11:45 am and 12:35 pm, respectively.

Saturday belongs largely to Cross-Country at Mt Van Hoevenberg, with U23 races in the morning followed by Elite Women at 2 pm and Elite Men at 4 pm. Whiteface hosts Downhill training and qualifying throughout the day.

Sunday brings the finale at Whiteface. The Elite Women take their final Downhill World Cup run at 1 pm, followed by the Elite Men at 2:10 pm.

competitor in Adirondack mountain biking event in Lake Placid.

Heart pounding, pedal pumping action.

Friday Night Bike Jam brings UCI into Lake Placid.

One of this year's most appealing additions happens away from the race courses.

The free Friday Night Bike Jam takes over the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval in downtown Lake Placid from 5:30 – 7:30 pm on October 2. The evening includes a Dialed Action BMX and Trials stunt show, Kids Skills Park, DJ and drumline performances, local vendors and Touch a Truck.

There's also Klunkers d'Elegance, a display celebrating the mountain bikes that helped shape the sport — a nice bit of cycling history amid a weekend focused on how extraordinarily fast modern bikes can go.

Biking and walking to the Bike Jam are encouraged, with public parking available at Lake Placid High School.

ADK Taste pick.

Make Friday a two-part affair. Watch the world's best riders compete at Mt Van Hoevenberg, then head into the village for the free Bike Jam. It turns a day at the races into something closer to a community-wide celebration of bikes.

More than racing at the Lake Placid Olympic Sites.

Spectators can get remarkably close to the courses, but this is not grandstand viewing. Expect uneven terrain, open ground and wooded sections, particularly when following the action around the course. Sturdy footwear and clothing appropriate for an Adirondack October belong on the packing list.

Vendor villages at Mt Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface add food, drinks, cycling brands and local businesses. Weekend entertainment also includes DJs, roving performers and Adirondack Raptors.

General admission starts at $20 per day for adults ages 22–69, with reduced and free admission available for several age groups and qualifying passholders. Three-day general admission is $50 for adults ages 22–69. Parking and upgraded spectator packages are also available.

ADK Taste recommendation.

Don't try to improvise this weekend after arriving in Lake Placid. With racing divided between Whiteface and Mt Van Hoevenberg, check the schedule first and choose the races that matter most. Allow time for shuttles, walking and getting into position along the course — and wear shoes that can handle dirt, woods and October weather.

The complete schedule is subject to change, so spectators should check the official Lake Placid UCI event website before heading out.

Find more events worth putting on the calendar with In Good Taste], ADK Taste's weekly guide to Adirondack food, stories, places and events.

Cyclist competing in a mountain bike tournament in Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains.

No guts, no glory.

Frequently asked questions.

When is the 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Lake Placid?‍ ‍

The event runs Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Where are the Lake Placid UCI mountain bike races held?‍ ‍

Cross-Country and Short Track events take place at Mt Van Hoevenberg near Lake Placid. Downhill racing takes place at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington.

What is the Friday Night Bike Jam in Lake Placid?‍ ‍

The free community event runs Friday, October 2 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval. It includes BMX and trials stunts, a kids' skills area, vintage mountain bikes, music, vendors and Touch a Truck.

How much are tickets for the UCI Mountain Bike World Series?‍ ‍

One-day general admission for ages 22–69 is $20, while three-day general admission is $50. Discounted and free admission is available for some age groups, military, college students and qualifying season passholders. Premium ticket options are also available.

Is the Lake Placid UCI event family-friendly?‍ ‍

Yes. Children 12 and under receive free general admission, and the weekend includes family-oriented entertainment. Friday's free Bike Jam also features a Kids Skills Park and Touch a Truck.

What should spectators bring?‍ ‍

Wear sturdy footwear and dress for changing Adirondack fall conditions. Spectator areas can involve walking over uneven ground and through wooded sections, so this is one sporting event where practical shoes beat fashionable ones.


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