2023 UCI Cycling World Championships – Mountain Bike Downhill

Nevis Range (Fort William) Friday 4th August.

Glasgow and nearby locations are currently hosting the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships which runs from August 3 to August 13, combining 13 UCI World Championships into a single event. The championships are all proving to be very popular. When I booked my tickets for Friday downhill qualifying, the gondola options had sold out. This meant I was effectively confined to the lower part of the course. I picked the best day as the weather and conditions were much better than on Saturday.

During the Elite women’s qualifying session, Tahnee Seagrave had a nasty looking crash. As she approached the final stretch just metres before the finish line, she lost control while descending from a drop. This caused her to veer back towards the barriers, and as she went over the last step towards the finish, her arm nearly got caught on the other side of the barrier. She fell back onto the course, and although she was able to walk away it seemed that she had hurt her hand. However, later reports revealed that she had hurt both her back and arm.

Tahnee Seagrave falls after hitting the barrier

Tahnee Seagrave slides to rest after fall at Fort William

Tahnee Seagrave checks her hand after crashing near the finish line

Tahnee Seagrave is able to walk unaided after crashing at Fort William

Fortunately Seagrave was fit enough for Saturdays final finishing 6th overall.

After watching the women’s elite qualification at the finish line I moved to the “motorway” section of the track for the mens elite qualifying session aiming to get some good action shots.