28/10/2021
What is XCO?
XCO is a fast and furious format on moderately technical courses that typically feature plenty of tough climbs, fast descents and flat sections, and roots, rock gardens and jumps. Depending on the venue and the weather, courses can be dusty and super-fast, or muddy and slippy. Either way, they best reward a full hand of mountain bike skills – massive climbing ability, explosive speed and intuitive handling skills.
Races are no longer than 90 minutes – typically five to seven laps – and in the World Cup series, each is preceded a couple of days beforehand by a shorter, even faster and more furious ‘cross country short track’ (XCC) to determine the start line gridding order for the main race.
The six-race World Cup series has been gripping so far this year, and the Tokyo Olympic Games in July promises even more action. The Tokyo Olympic course is unusually technical, with tough drops, jumps, logs and plenty of rock gardens. It should be 100 percent rideable even though it defeated a number of riders in the test event.
