Abuja festival to qualify cyclists for 2027 World Championships

File photo: Nigeria’s mountain bikers

Nigeria’s mountain bikers will have the chance to qualify for the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships in France through the 2026 Abuja Chaingang Mountain Bike Festival.

The festival has been adopted as a national qualifying competition, according to Local Organising Committee chairman Olatunji Olanrewaju.

Olanrewaju made the disclosure at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, ahead of the 10th anniversary edition scheduled for November 21 and 22.

He said the partnership with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria would allow Nigerian cyclists to qualify for international competitions and improve the country’s standing in mountain biking.

CFN Technical Director Bashir Mohammed said the competition would identify and qualify male and female cyclists for the Cross-Country Short Track and Cross-Country Olympic events at the 2027 championships.

• Lagos monarch lauds cycling club for empowering youths
• Nollywood actress Tenia Abraham dies at 32, buried in Abuja
• 2027: APC campaign council banks on Tinubu’s reforms, targets nationwide mobilisation

The races will take place at the Sunrise Hills Mountain Bike Course in Asokoro, Abuja. Olanrewaju said the approximately 4.5-kilometre course, featuring steep climbs, rocky descents and switchbacks, was developed in line with UCI guidelines.

CFN Secretary-General Joel Akinluwa said: “We have been working together and deploying our professionalism in officiating to ensure that the competition is conducted in line with UCI rules and regulations.”

Organisers expect at least 150 participants. The festival will also include a children’s mountain bike race (which is free), trail running, a veterans’ recreational ride, a city fitness ride, hiking and camping.

The 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships will be held in Haute-Savoie, France, from August 24 to September 5.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.