Plan Ahead: World Mountain Bike Championships

THE World Mountain Bike Championships alternate between the United States and Europe and this year are being held from 12 to 19 September in the south-eastern French resort of Metabief, more than 1,000 metres above sea level in the Jura Mountains.

As the sport has expanded, this is the last year that individuals, who have to be selected by their national federations though they may not be members of the national team, can attempt to qualify for the finals.

Demand for accommodation in the Metabief area will be high, particularly from French cycling clubs, but there are camp-sites. For guest houses and hotels further afield, the tourist office for the Jura in Lons-le-Saunier will be able to assist.

Sporting Tours, of West Yorkshire, specialise in cycling tours and have a package that covers the finals weekend, from 16 to 20 September, with three-night hotel accommodation in Pontarlier, 10km from the championship venue. Travel is by coach and bikes can be carried. The tour costs pounds 149 per person.

World Mountain Bike Championships, 12-19 September, Metabief, Jura, France.

Metabief, is south of Besancon near the Swiss border. Paris is 470km away while Geneva is 100km and has the nearest airport.

Timetable: 12 and 13 September: training days; 14: individual qualification for downhill; 15: individual qualification for cross country; 16: Downhill World Championship qualifying for national teams and individuals who have qualified; 17: Cross-country World Championship, veterans and juniors. 18: Cross- country World Championship, senior men and women; 19: Downhill World Championships, all categories.

Sporting Tours, 21 Manor Gardens, Pool-in-Wharfedale, near Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 1NB (Tel: 0532-843617).

Tourist Office, 1 Rue Basteur, 39000 Lons-le-Saunier, Jura, France (Tel: 010 33 84246510). Tourist Office, Place de la Mairie, 25370 Les Hopitaux Neufs, Doubs, France (Tel: 010 33 81491381). (2km from Metabief).

French Government Tourist Office, 178 Piccadilly, London W1V 0AL (Tel: 071- 499 6911 - recorded information only).