Fabien Barel

World Cup Returns to Japan
DH-DS #6
Arai Mountain, Japan: July 22, 2000

The hot tropical sun is bearing down on the small mountain resort of Arai this weekend, as fewer than a hundred of the world's best mountain bike downhillers gear up for stop six of the World Cup season half way around the world. With hot temperatures and plenty of humidity to go around, the unique character of Japan is a great surrounding to this weekend's event.

Two years ago the Tissot-UCI Mountain Bike World Cup came to Japan for the first time ever, racing in the small countryside town of Arai City, some four hours north of Tokyo. Spectators arriving at the resort, Arai Mountain and Snow Park, blew everyone away with their enthusiasm for a sport they had only seen in magazines — and helped organizers win the trophy for 1998's race of the year.

This year the traveling circus is back, welcomed by a brand-new hotel at this 500-million-dollar resort and the now-familiar, huge crowds. Fans are cruising the pits getting photos and autographs with their favorite riders, while the small field of pros works the course into submission during training and qualifying.

The course, a muddy challenge in '98, is thus far dry and fast and producing times just over five minutes. It begins way atop the lush green mountain and works its way down to the finish venue — just above the dual course.

The dual track is another carefully crafted obstacle course from Glen Jacobs, with one jump so big they had to shave it off as riders crashed during practice. Together they comprise a pair of courses as good as anything this season, with the difference being the field size. With so few riders making the journey over here, it's a good opportunity for others to capture top 20 spots — although all of the top 15 men are here.

Check back for full stories on the two races; the dual and the downhill — plus photos and top results.

—Ari Cheren, eating way too much sushi and trying to keep cool, for Mountainzone.com