site.btaVitosha Selected to Host 2026 Mountain Bike Downhill European Championship

The Union Europeenne de Cyclisme (UEC) Management Board has officially selected Vitosha Mountain, near Sofia, as the host of the 2026 MTB Downhill European Championships, UEC said on Tuesday.

The event will take place in the picturesque Vitosha Nature Park, created in 1936 as the first nature park in the Balkans. This is a place of great environmental and scenic value, combining natural beauty with technical features ideal for downhill racing. The 2,000-metre course has a vertical drop of 391 m and a width ranging from 2 to 8 m, making it a dynamic and challenging course, perfectly suited to a continental championship.

UEC President Enrico Della Casa said that Bulgaria is a fast-growing country on the European cycling scene, with an increasingly active presence in all disciplines, especially Track and Off-Road, as also demonstrated by the experience already gained in organizing certain editions of the European Championships. “Downhill is a fascinating and fast-growing discipline, and we are convinced that this event will represent a new opportunity for development. I would like to thank the Bulgarian Cycling Federation (BCF) and its President Evgeni Balev for their important work, and Vitosha Mountain complex for its availability and cooperation in organizing this event," he added.

BCF President Evgeni Balev emphasized the significance of mountain biking for the Federation, particularly following Izabela Yankova’s achievements, which have positioned Bulgaria among the leading countries in the sport.

According to Balev, the unique characteristics of Bulgaria’s natural landscape support the growth of multiple cycling areas and promote bicycle tourism, and the close proximity of Mount Vitosha to Sofia presents an opportunity to demonstrate to Europe the significant potential of Bulgaria's mountain regions.

“The BCF and the host club have already received high marks for the track, which will see Europe’s top competitors compete. This recognition further motivates us to deliver a significant and memorable event,” Balev said.

The official dates for the 2026 UEC Mountain Bike Downhill European Championships will be announced in the next few weeks.