Mona Yongpyong to Host Asia's First 'UCI MTB World Series' at Balwangsan Mountain

Mona Yongpyong, a four-season premium resort led by CEO Park Injun, will host the world-renowned mountain bike competition, the "2026 WHOOP UCI MTB World Series," on the Balwangsan Mountain area from May 1 to May 3. This event marks the first time the series will be held in Asia, adding significance as a domestic host.

Mona Yongpyong, located on the slopes of Balwangsan Mountain at an altitude of 1,458 meters, is a resort equipped with a natural environment and diverse leisure infrastructure and has offered year-round tourism content. With this international event, both Balwangsan and Mona Yongpyong are expected to attract attention as new destinations on the global mountain biking stage.

The competition will feature downhill (DHI), cross-country Olympic (XCO), and cross-country short track (XCC) events. The courses will take advantage of Balwangsan's three-dimensional terrain and elevation differences, combined with Mona Yongpyong's accommodation, transportation, and operational infrastructure, promising an intense and thrilling race. Many of the world's top athletes are also expected to participate.

This event is expected to be more than just a sports event; it is seen as an opportunity for Mona Yongpyong to evolve from its traditional winter ski-focused image to a comprehensive four-season sports resort that also embraces mountain biking. The strategy is to attract more domestic and international tourists and to enhance its brand recognition in the global leisure and tourism market.

Additionally, by hosting this international competition, Balwangsan's natural environment and Mona Yongpyong's operational capabilities are expected to be promoted both domestically and internationally. As a composite leisure content that combines sports and tourism, the four-season resort's competitiveness is expected to be further strengthened.

The event is organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Warner Bros. Discovery, with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and Global Korea serving as co-organizers. The Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Cycling Federation, and Mona Yongpyong Co., Ltd. will participate as sponsoring institutions.

A representative of Mona Yongpyong stated, "Based on Balwangsan's outstanding natural terrain and the resort's infrastructure, we will deliver a successful international event," adding, "We will use this as a stepping stone to further strengthen our status as a global four-season leisure and sports resort."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.