In a move that will bring much rejoicing on the gravity-racing circuit, the UCI has tabbed Fort William four-cross designer Phil Saxena as its new four-cross co-coordinator for the remainder of the 2003 season. Saxena will be charged with designing and building the 4X tracks at the world championships in Lugano, Switzerland and the World Cup finals in Kaprun, Austria.

“I'm really happy to have been given this opportunity,” said Saxena in a press release issued by Rare Management, organizers of the Fort William World Cup. “I love the sport of mountain biking and I want to take four-cross to the masses. It's going to be great to work at the cutting edge of the sport and help shape it. Times have been hard for this top level of competition, but I'm confident that we can drive it on to the next level and become the mainstream event it deserves to be. Four-cross hasn't lived up to it's potential yet and I want to make sure it exceeds everyone’s expectations.”

Presumably this will bring an end to not-so-celebrated tenure of former World Cup winner Franck Roman, who as the previous UCI 4X builder was frequently at the center of criticism from riders who were unhappy with the course design at several venues, most recently Alpe d’Huez where a rider sit-down protest occurred.

“It could only be better,” said reigning four-cross world champ Brian Lopes. “[Saxena] did a good job at Fort William. He was definitely a hard worker. He was one of the few guys I’ve seen who was out there everyday. No matter what it will be better than having Franck Roman doing it, that’s for sure.”

In other news, Rare Management announced that Fort William has been renewed as a World Cup site for 2004, with dates set for June 5-6. In just its second year as a host venue this summer, Fort William has already received extensive acclaim as one of the circuit’s best locales. According to the press release the 2004 event will be a “triple” with four-cross, downhill and cross country being contested.