The SouthernXC Series returns in 2009 with the best courses from past years and a few new ones thrown in too. Joining Pedalon.co.uk as sponsor is Dirtworker, who will be providing some of their brilliant portable bike cleaners as prizes.
For the elite and expert riders there’s a cash prize pot of £3600 over the series.
Series dates and venues:
Round 1 – 26th April, Bordon, Hampshire.
The Bordon course is a favourite with riders – smooth, flowing singletrack with a few berms and jumps thrown in for a bit of fun.
Hosted in conjunction with West Drayton MBC.
Round 2 – 17th May, Crow Hill, near Ringwood, Hampshire.
An opportunity to pre-ride the recently adjusted Crow Hill course that’s being used for the 4th round of the National XC series and English Marathon Champs in June. Some new sections of course have been built, including a sweeping gully descent from the main hill.
Round 3 – 7th June, Pippingford Estate, near East Grinstead, East Sussex.
The arena will be based above a stunning valley. The course then heads in to the mature estate woodland and round fishing lakes. The course prep has started and is looking good. The organisers are so happy with the trails that the series goes there twice in 2009.
Round 4 – 12th July, Erlestoke, near Devizes, Wiltshire.
Most people’s favourite course in 2008. The team have been working hard on the course, which will include the figure of 8 and bridge section.
Round 5- 2nd August, Old Park Farm, near Alton, Hampshire.
(incorporating the Southern area Champs)
This new venue replaces the troubled Brick Kiln Farm used previously. Situated on top of a hill, from the arena you drop for about a mile on fast, sweeping singletrack.
Round 6 – 6th September, Pippingford, near East Grinstead, East Sussex.
The series returns to Pippingford for the final round. There’ll be the best bits of track from round 3 thrown in again, plus some new stuff. Expect some long, steep descents and climbs to match.
The SouthernXC Team Challenge: New for 2009, nominate 2 riders to join you in a team of 3. The higher up in your category you finish, the more points your team gets. At the end of the series a Team Challenge Shield will be given to the team with the most points. Riders in categories with less than 5 entrants get half points. Nominate your team at the first round you compete in.
Categories: All the usual categories mean there’s racing for everyone, from 6 year olds and beginners to 60 year olds and elite athletes.
Prizes: Once again there will be the popular trophies awarded to the top 3 in each category. In addition there will be cash prizes worth £3600 for Elite and Expert riders. There will also be a Dirtworker up for grabs for the winner of one category. The Dirtworker winning category will be rotated at each round.
For 2009 you can only enter on-line via www.pedalon.co.uk. Just click on the SouthernXC link on the top right of the homepage.
