The HERO World Series circuit was officially presented at the Eurobike show in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Billed as the hardest mountain bike event in the world, created back in 2010 in the Dolomites, the 2020 series will travel internationally, taking place in two exotic locations: Dubai and Thailand.
HERO World Series circuit
- Dubai, UAE 6-8 February;
- The Dolomites, northeastern Italy, 18-21 June; and
- Thailand 8-11 October
The organising team note that… ‘Every race will be planned in true HERO style, paying the utmost attention to the bikers’ needs without ignoring sustainability and by respecting the location’s territory, nature, and traditions.’
Every HERO World Series event will be framed by a HERO Bike Festival.
“The success of the HERO format, fine-tuned over the course of ten years in the Dolomites, has now found fertile ground to thrive in other destinations: Dubai and Thailand,” said Gerhard Vanzi, the creator of HERO Dolomites. “These destinations want to access the international sport tourism market by organising high-quality events where bikers truly take centre stage during the competitions.
“These events also allow them to discover enchanting and unique places which will leave even the bikers’ followers in absolute awe.”
HERO Dubai, 6-8 February 2020
The Dubai race will take place in Hatta and its Nature Park. The location aspires to become a benchmark for sport tourism destinations by creating a permanent Mountain Bike Trail Centre. This is an ambition reflecting the Arab destination’s wish to place itself on the international market of off-piste bikes. The route features 60km and 1,400m elevation gain. The route is mostly on dirt road and sand and does not feature specific technical elements.
Another shorter route (30 km) will also be available for anyone wanting to experience what it feels like to bike across the desert. However, only those competing in the 60km race qualify to take part in the HERO World Series circuit.
HERO Südtirol Dolomites, 18-21 June 2020
Following this event’s 10th anniversary in 2019, in 2020 the two traditional routes will again feature. The longer route is 86km and 4,500m of elevation gain, and the shorter route is 60km and 3,200m elevation gain.
HERO Thailand, 8-11 October 2020
HERO World Series riders will take on the forests surrounding Chiang Rai in Thailand. Riders will also encounter traces of Buddhist culture, in the shape of the White Wat Rong Khun temple. The route is 62km and features 1,800m elevation gain. Trails are mainly on red soil dirt roads, ‘submerged in a canopy of lush, green nature unspoilt by mankind.’
