Abuja festival to qualify cyclists for 2027 World Championships

Nigeria’s mountain bikers will have the chance to qualify for the 2027 Union Cycliste Internationale Cycling World Championships in France through the 2026 Abuja Chaingang Mountain Bike Festival.

The festival has been adopted as a national qualifying competition, according to Local Organising Committee chairman Olatunji Olanrewaju.

Olanrewaju made the disclosure at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, ahead of the 10th anniversary edition scheduled for November 21 and 22.

He said the partnership with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria would allow Nigerian cyclists to qualify for international competitions and improve the country’s standing in mountain biking.

Cycling Federation of Nigeria Technical Director Bashir Mohammed said the competition would identify and qualify male and female cyclists for the Cross-Country Short Track and Cross-Country Olympic events at the 2027 championships.

The races will take place at the Sunrise Hills Mountain Bike Course in Asokoro, Abuja. Olanrewaju said the approximately 4.5-kilometre course, featuring steep climbs, rocky descents and switchbacks, was developed in line with UCI guidelines.