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Imagine the world’s best riders racing down the historic slopes of Sion — through stairways, cobbled alleys, and centuries-old walls. Welcome to the Castle Ride BCVS, a spectacular urban downhill event created exclusively to kick off the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. For the first time ever, urban downhill and slopestyle disciplines come together in a unique format, where athletes from each discipline team up in mixed crews.
A total of 15 teams will compete for victory in this spectacular contest, blending speed, technique, and creativity. The start line is set at an extraordinary and normally off-limits location: the top of Tourbillon Castle. From there, riders will launch into a thrilling descent through the old town, in a setting that combines heritage, speed, and adrenaline. This event is one of a kind — and it will only happen once. A rare opportunity to see the city transformed into a playground for the world’s top riders.
The Castle Ride BCVS urban downhill offers a one-of-a-kind course, designed for both spectacle and sporting achievement. From the top of Tourbillon Castle, riders will launch at full speed, racing down historic steps, cobbled alleys, and technical passages all the way to downtown Sion.
Slopestyle transforms the heart of Sion into a spectacular freestyle stage. From Place de la Majorie, the world’s best riders will launch into a series of massive jumps, technical moves, and bold tricks.
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Saturday, August 30, 2025
09:00 – 21:00
Sponsor village, activities and F&B
10:00 – 11:45
Castle Ride BCVS – Test session
10:00 – 11:00
Mountain Bike Explorer Initiation with the "cyclophile sédunois"
10:00 – 11:30
Mountain Bike Discover Sion with the "cyclophile sédunois"
11:30 – 12:00
Opening Show – First performance
13:30 – 14:30
Urban Ride with the "cyclophile sédunois"
14:00 – 16:00
Castle Ride BCVS – Qualification session
15:00 – 16:00
Mountain Bike Urban Ride with the "cyclophile sédunois"
17:00 – 19:00
Castle Ride BCVS – Final session
19:00 – 19:30
Castle Ride BCVS Awards Ceremony & Official Valais 2025 Kick-off
19:30 – 20:00
Opening Show – Second performance
21:00 – 23:15
Opening Concert – KT Gorique & Guests
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Designing this urban course in Sion was a real pleasure. I've had the chance to travel all over the world for mountain bike competitions, but rarely have I come across such a spectacular setting. The course, linking Tourbillon Castle to the narrow streets of the old town, offers a perfect mix of technique, speed, and heritage. Being part of the planning for this event and inviting the world’s best athletes to take part is truly an honor.
Tomas Slavik
Designer of the urban downhill course
Designing this slopestyle section in Sion has been an incredible experience. The location, with its historic alleys and unique atmosphere, provides a perfect playground for riders. Creating technical modules that blend seamlessly into this setting was a challenging but rewarding task. It’s an honor to invite the world’s best athletes to take on this challenge at such an exceptional spot.
Thomas Genon
Designer of the slopestyle course
R&D Cycling
Rue Pré-Fleuri 6, 1950 Sion
info@rd-cycling.com
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