Final UCI MTB World Cup 2013 calendar published

The UCI have announced firm dates for next year's MTB World Cup, with Germany now the first hosts

Albstadt in south-west Germany makes its World Cup debut and will kick off proceedings on May 18–19 with the opening cross-country race of the year as well as the triumphant return of the XCE cross-country eliminators, which will go to five World Cups in 2013.

The first taste of downhill and the beginning of Aaron Gwin and Rachel Atherton’s title defences begins at World Cup favourite Fort William on June 8–9.

China, which had been tipped to host a round, is now expected to debut with action in Guiyang in 2014.

redbull.com/bike will once again host every single cross-country race, downhill finals and eliminator final across the eight rounds, so be sure to stay tuned.

In the meantime, visit our UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2013 series page for the full season calendar, plus updates, features and analysis.