Its not a million years ago that I picked a copy of the now sadly dead MBi magazine, it featured a race report from the Fort William NPS; everyone made the long trek north to one of the biggest mountains in the UK to be faced with a course that started not that far up the mountain and teased everyone by running under the gondola without using it. There was so much potential on the hill but surely nobody was ever going to fulfil it, then a course sprung up, then an Avalanche cup race and all of a sudden some guy called Mike Jardine had come along with his company Rare Management and organised a World Cup race, there was even a proper press launch with some riders popping wheelies on Calton Hill in Edinburgh, all of a sudden mountain biking in the UK had stepped up a gear or four.

Not only has the event lasted but it has flourished, the downhill riders rave about the course, the cross country riders have been reminded what real mountain biking is all about and we have indirectly given the whole 4X scene a kick up the arse by introducing the UCI to Phil Saxena. It’s fair to say that the UK has gone from boxing kangaroo to heavyweight in a pretty short space of time.

Take a bow Rare Management, all we ask now is that you take over the NPS!

DW: For those that don't know, can you give us a bit of background on the company and people behind Rare?

MJ: Rare Management is about 4 years old, started by myself and Lesley Beck. We had both been working for the British Ski and Snowboard Federation but decided to set up on our own to run the snowsport industry trade show (SOLTEX) and look at other similar activities - anything as long as it was interesting and fun. I'm an architect by training who then worked as Marketing Director for a ski equipment distributor before moving on to run the British ski teams. Lesley is one of Britain's most successful skiers who was managing the trade show for the Ski Federation when we decided to move away from the politics of sport into the real, commercial world. The third member of the Rare team is Karen Weir, who keeps everything moving. So, a small, tight team that is involved in everything - it's very much a hands-on approach for every project.

DW: When you first began putting together the World Cup event in 2002, you couldn't have imagined the success the Fort William World Cup would have - numerous cycling and tourism awards, being chosen to host the World Cup finals next year, and the World Champs in 2007... To what/whom do you attribute this meteoric rise to the top of International mountain biking?

MJ: It may sound corny but a lot of it is down to the enthusiasm and team work of everyone involved - and the fact that it's a special event in a special location. A glorious, happy coming together of people and circumstances plus a big chunk of luck. The venues are amazingly supportive, the spectators brilliant, the event team incredibly enthusiastic and the competitors respond to all of that and play their part in making the weekend so good.

DW: With three events now under your belts, what has been the best year for you so far?

MJ: Each one has had its own special moments and each year we want improvement and innovation, but 2003 (the second World Cup) was really rewarding with the introduction of the XC, the new Witch's Trail course, the Siemens Mobile Lake Jump - and sunshine!

DW: There has recently been talk of the UCI moving away from the World Cup format towards a Pro-Tour setup as they have done in the road calendar, featuring more ranking events but without a structured series format. How do you feel the Fort William event would cope in such a situation?

MJ: I'm not sure the UCI really know what they want. I don't think they can simply take a road format and apply it to mountain biking. To me the World Cup works - it needs better marketing globally and a tight series of strong, classic events to raise interest and credibility. I think given the pedigree of Fort William it would survive in any global calendar as long as the interest from teams and spectators is still there.

DW: Do you feel there is enough local involvement during the whole WC weekend? What's your opinion on views that locals aren't accommodating enough? (The McDonald's closing despite a massive queue incident in mind).

MJ: Certainly in year one the World Cup took Fort William by surprise but each year the support and appreciation of the World Cup grows. It has still got some way to go, but for years Fort William has relied on coach tours and the whole highland tartan thing. Now the huge growth in outdoor activities is making local businesses look at the bigger picture, so they are thinking about how they can adapt and respond to a different set of needs - in particular the major influx of a specific interest group. The World Cup has been a huge catalyst in their Outdoor Capital of the UK project and it has shown that Fort William can take its place on the world stage. But with all of the focus it is even more important that they look at the quality of accommodation, value for money, service, flexibility because they are now being compared with other international venues. As for McDonald's - I know the problem. We just squeezed in the door as the shutters came down this year. Maybe we can persuade them to keep flipping burgers a bit longer next year......

Fort Bill's crowds are the best!

DW: Has there been much, if any, resistance from groups as you have looked to grow and improve the event year on year?

MJ: Surprisingly little. The odd moan about dirtbag bikers/single sex groups from one of the campsites but for most people the World Cup is something that they are now really proud of. There is no doubt that the buzz of the World Cup weekend is seen as something special, which is why it's important to have things going on in the town for the locals who can't make it out to Nevis Range.

DW: Did Highland Council not have a more 'glamorous' representative to put forward as an award presenter than Olwyn Macdonald? How about Jackie Bird next year?

MJ: I think Cedric was quite taken by Olwyn. Anyway, Olwyn's the boss of Fort William so she gets the chance to thank the riders personally.

Phil Saxena - Holiday Maker?

DW: What about your relationship with Nevis Range, how close do you work with them on activities such as the course building?

MJ: It's quite simple - without the really close relationship with both Nevis Range and Forestry Commission Scotland the World Cup could not happen. No matter what we ask for or suggest, Marian Austin (Nevis Range) and Craig Millar (Forestry Commission Scotland) will do their best to make it happen. The courses all have their own challenges. We get feedback and suggestions from top riders then try to work out what can be achieved. The Downhill is obviously a permanent facility that has to survive the World Cup, regular use from May to September - and the Lochaber weather. We always want to introduce new sections for the World Cup but it's tricky, especially with the limits imposed by the conservation audit above the deer fence. Course boss Ruari Watt knows his stuff and he works incredibly hard to introduce a few new ideas and keep the course in one piece. The 4-X is obviously Phil Saxena's baby and every year he comes up for his 4 week highland holiday - tweaking, adjusting, feeding the midges and leaning on his shovel. For the next two years we want to concentrate on improvements for spectators with a major extension planned for 2007. The Witch's Trail is now a major feature of the FC trail system in Lochaber and it will also be subject to regular changes just to keep things interesting.

DW: I have heard there has been a bit of a struggle in the past getting a large title sponsor for the event, why do you think this is? Can you foresee it getting any easier in the coming years?

MJ: Yes it is most definitely a struggle. Despite the excellence of what is on offer - with the evidence to back it up - we've yet to crack it. Each year we think it will get easier, especially in the build-up to the World Championships in 2007. Partly it might be our lack of direct contacts in target companies (cold calling is tough and rarely delivers) and partly it might be the perceived remoteness of the location. So if anyone knows anyone who wants to sponsor the best mountain biking event in the world, just get in touch. However, what we do have is excellent support from a number of public agencies (Sportscotland, Event Scotland, VisitScotland, Highland Council and Lochaber Enterprise). There is no doubt that the World Cup would not exist without their support.

The BBC's presence at Fort William was Big Screentastic!

DW: The World Cup round has consistently grown year on year and now has the reputation as being the best on the circuit, what plans have you got to help maintain this reputation in the lead up to 2007, do you think as a World Cup round you can get any bigger and better?

MJ: There has to be continuous improvement so that every year there is something new or better for spectators and competitors. We've got a definite target in 2007 so we're planning a strategy for 2005 and 2006 that will hopefully keep us at the forefront of the World Cup. As well as course changes we'll be looking at services and entertainment for spectators, in-town events and support events.

DW: I was in Les Gets for this years World Championships and the whole scale of the event was staggering, everything about it was huge. What would you highlight as being the most significant areas of change and improvement before 2007, what can you do to give the event that special feel from your normal WC events for riders and spectators?

MJ: I think the scale will be the biggest change and the biggest challenge. How does Fort William cope with crowds that are 2 or 3 times the current World Cup level? We've got some ideas but it will definitely be a case of working with the town to deliver a memorable event in 2007. Expect some major changes to the courses and full-on entertainment for the biggest crowds ever seen in the highlands!

DW: After the World Championships has been and gone, what do you think the future will hold for the venue, past favourites such as Kaprun and Sierra Nevada seem to have faded off the calendar after hosting the biggest event in World mountain biking. Will you be able to maintain momentum?

MJ: Good question. Mountain biking will continue - as a sport it is here to stay and Fort William has such outstanding facilities both man-made and natural. As far as World Cups, I think the answer will come down to money. If the spectators are willing to come and pay and if we can find sponsors then I'm sure Fort William will want to carry on hosting a World Cup. There are classic World Cups in skiing, such as Kitzbhuel, that have been going for 37 years. Fort William will only have 6 years under its belt in 2007, so maybe we'll see you in 2052 for the 50th year celebrations.

DW: Do you think the UK has any other viable World Cup venues at present?

MJ: For XC there are plenty of sites but for DH and 4X I think there is no other option than Fort William. I can't see a World Cup working with vans and trailers - but if Innerleithen got a chairlift.....

DW: Do you ride a bike much yourself, ever done a timed run down the Nevis Range track?

MJ: I ride regularly - mainly in the Pentlands or Glentress. The Traquair trail at Innerleithen is wonderful and I did the Black at Laggan the other day which was a bit of a challenge. Actually it was brutal. I've done the Nevis Range DH just once. On the day it opened I followed Colin McCrae on a hire bike, in jeans and shirt. I came off at the bottom of the Off Beat Wall and broke my nose. Since then I've walked it many times but I'll leave riding it to the experts. I'll stick to the Witch's Trail thanks.

DW: What other events are Rare working on at the moment? What about the future for the company, is there any areas that you would like to expand into?

MJ: We still do a lot of work with skiing and snowboarding and have done a World Cup and Junior World Championships in climbing. We're constantly looking out for new projects and may have some new ideas on the biking side. We'll consider anything - as long as it's something where we've an interest and there's a good chance it will be fun.

Big thanks to Mike, and all the best for next year and all those that follow.

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Inventive Spectators as always...