CORCORAN, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The city of Corcoran hopes a world qualifier event becomes an annual tradition as their park became the first host on the West Coast. On Saturday, the city hosted the 2025 Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships Qualifier at Gateway Park. The event was the first of three qualifier events held within the U.S., with others being held across the world. Corcoran hosts West Coast’s 1st pump track qualifier event The event was a big milestone for the city, which is why organizers worked hard to make sure everything fell into place perfectly. "We were very nervous. We had six weeks to put this whole festival on. We had never hosted a world qualifier before— I've never even been to a world qualifier before," said Public Works Director Joe Faulkner. "So we immediately got on the phone, made phone calls, and tried to put all the pieces together to host an event like this." Faulkner says the top four riders from each qualifier event get to advance to the world championship in Switzerland, with the No. 1 rider of each event having all expenses paid. "Our goal is to host it every year— and if not every year, every other year," said Faulkner. Aside from the main event, organizers also had a variety of activities and food vendors available to encourage families to come out regardless of whether they knew what pump tracking was. "Not only can the community come out and enjoy the bike racing, but they can bring the family out and enjoy free bounce houses, face painting, and a reptile show— it's a family day," said Faulkner. Faulkner also encourages anyone interested in holding an event to contact the city and see why Corcoran is the city to be. "We welcome anybody who wants to hold an event— we'll partner with them. We're all about bringing people into the community and showing what our community is all about. I like to say that we are the gem of the Central Valley. Once you get here, drive around; you'll see." ...read more read less