DALBY Forest has won the right to host the World Mountain Bike Championships next year.

Following a bid by British Cycling, Yorkshire Forward, UK Sport and the Forestry Commission to bring the event to the 8,600-acre forest, World cycling’s governing body – the UCI – has announced that the championships will come to Dalby in 2010. The championships will take place over the weekend of April 24 and 25 and are expected to attract more than 10,000 spectators and 500 elite bikers from 24 nations. The event will also be broadcast worldwide, with the media using Dalby’s £2.3 million eco-friendly visitor centre as their operations base.

The Forestry Commision’s Alan Eves said: “It has been a nail-biting few weeks waiting for the decision and there is no doubt we were up against some tough international competition.

“The tension has been unbelievable – but now we can celebrate.”

Coun Linda Cowling, chairman of Ryedale District Council’s community services committee, said: “This is great news for the district and we hope it will be a catalyst to encourage more people to participate in both recreational and competitive mountain biking.”

Yorkshire Forward chief executive Tom Riordan said: “The tourist industry contributes over £6 billion to Yorkshire and Humber’s economy every year and high profile events like the World Mountain Bike Championships are a fantastic way for us to showcase our region to the world and attract new investment.”

Months of work have gone into demonstrating to the UCI that Dalby is a suitable venue for the World Championships.

Last month, the Forestry Commission unveiled a £90,000, four-mile World Cup trail in Dalby Forest, which was then used to stage its first competitive race.

The new World Cup trail has big climbs, fast descents and technically demanding features, making it an ideal place for advanced mountain bikers to practise.

Cllr John Weighell, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, congratulated the team at Dalby, and said: “We look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators and showing them all that North Yorkshire has to offer.”