Four-Cross racing, once a major crowd favorite at mountain bike events in Europe, has become much less common outside the continent. However, it remains a vibrant sport there.
While reviewing the latest UCI points rankings for Cross-Country and Downhill mountain biking, we noticed an interesting trend in the Four-Cross (“4X”) category. Eleven British riders — seven men and four women — are leading the global Four-Cross rankings.
Four-Cross racing has struggled to maintain popularity at many race venues. Often, there aren’t enough participants to justify the time and expense needed to build the special courses and organize the events. Sometimes, races even had to be scheduled at night due to tight event calendars.
For those unfamiliar with Four-Cross, the race features four riders racing simultaneously down a specially designed course. The track is usually wide enough to allow all four riders to start side-by-side on the first straight. Riders typically complete the course in about 30 to 50 seconds.
The format usually involves multiple rounds. In each heat, the top two finishers advance until the final round, where four riders compete for the win. Men’s and women’s races are held separately.
It’s unclear whether Four-Cross racing will regain wider popularity outside Europe. Still, it remains active there — and British riders are currently dominating the sport.
According to a recent UCI press release about the 2025 4X World Series:
“The 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series begins on June 20th at Daolasa di Commezzadura in Val di Sole, Italy. This venue will host the opening round of the prestigious 4X Pro Tour. The event will feature top athletes like Czech champion Tomas Slavik and Italy’s rising star Stefano Dolfin.
“Val di Sole has long been a key location for Four-Cross racing. Its legendary Daolasa track has hosted multiple world championships and international events. It is beloved by fans both in Italy and worldwide.
“The 2025 4X Pro Tour runs from June 20-22, with exciting evening races on the challenging and scenic Daolasa course.
“This year’s season includes four stages: Val di Sole (June 20), Jablonec in the Czech Republic (July 12), Dobrany (Czech Republic, August 2), and Szczawno Zdroj in Poland (September 6).
“Tomas Slavik is a leading figure in the competition. He won last year’s Val di Sole event and continues to impress fans with his daring riding, including a notable win at Red Bull Cerro Abajo in Genoa. Stefano Dolfin, Italy’s hopeful star, finished second at Val di Sole in 2024.
“Scott Beaumont, Head of the 4X Pro Tour, said: ‘The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the best ever. We are returning to venues that have consistently supported our sport, delivering world-class events. This year’s series will showcase the finest athletes competing for the championship.’
“Luciano Rizzi, President of the Val di Sole Tourism Board, highlighted the importance of the event. ‘Four-Cross is an essential part of our sporting heritage. We were determined to keep it going. The 4X Pro Tour shares our passion for the Daolasa track, which riders consider one of the most spectacular and demanding in the world.’
“As the season opener nears, all attention turns to Val di Sole, where the world’s top Four-Cross riders will compete for the first victory of 2025.”