Valais 2025: Participation of 118 Swiss athletes

Switzerland ready for the 2025 Mountain Bike World Championships in Valais

Of August 30 to September 14, 2025, Valais will host the very first World Combined Mountain Bike Championships in History. For two weeks, seven different disciplines will be contested in eight locations across the canton, making Valais the world epicenter of mountain biking.

An exceptional Swiss delegation

True to its reputation as a leading nation in mountain biking, Switzerland will be strongly represented at the 2025 World Championships in Valais. No less than 118 athletes, of which 47 women and 71 men, will defend the national colors. Olympic cross-country will have the largest delegation 36 runners, immediately followed by the marathon (34 participants).

Never before has the density of Swiss talent been so high: all disciplines will have representatives capable of shining at the highest level. As Patrick Müller, Head of Sport at Swiss Cycling, points out, «"The team is competitive in all categories, and the advantage of playing at home could well make the difference."».

All the names of participants in the Swiss selection: https://www.swiss-cycling.ch/app/uploads/2025/08/Selection-CM-VTT-1.pdf

A unique and unifying event

Seven years after the success of the World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland is taking another step forward with these "combined" championships, a world first. The idea: to award the rainbow jerseys for all disciplines in one place and over a short period. Thanks to the joint efforts of Swiss Cycling, Valais Wallis Promotion and the Valais Cycling Association, The canton is establishing itself as a leading mountain biking destination, with modern infrastructure and an exceptional natural setting.

A lasting legacy for Valais

For Thomas Peter, Director of Swiss Cycling, this event goes far beyond competition:

«"Valais and Swiss cycling will benefit from this legacy long after the World Championships. It's a real advantage to have been able to organize a sustainable event, at a time when it's becoming increasingly difficult."»

Julien Hess, Director of the World Championships, shares this enthusiasm, seeing in this edition "a challenge but also a tremendous opportunity to write a new page in the history of mountain biking".

Crans-Montana in the spotlight

The premier discipline, the cross country, will take place in Crans-Montana. For Bruno Huggler, Director of the Tourist Office, this is a key step in the development of the destination:

«Welcoming the world's elite mountain bikers is the culmination of a long-standing strategy. These competitions enhance the summer season and extend it into spring and autumn.»

"Minor" disciplines in the spotlight

Another unique aspect of these World Championships is that lesser-known disciplines like enduro and e-bikes will finally have a true international showcase. A wider audience will be able to discover the full range of mountain biking and the extent of Swiss performance.

Videos

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