British Mountain Bike Regional Championships – Sunday 13th May
A stacked weekend of racing lies in store as for the 2nd year running, the Northern, Midland, Eastern, Southern and South West Mtb Cross Country Regional Champs all take place this Sunday. With past winners including the likes of Liam Killeen, Tracey Moseley and Paul Oldham, fast and furious racing is guaranteed as riders vie to be crowned 2012 Regional Champ, while riders will be spoiled for choice with all of the organisers saving their regions best venue for one of the most important days in the racing calendar.
North East and West Regional Champs – The Aske Estate (DL10 5EZ) near Richmond, home of ITV’s Krypton Factor assault course and host of the 2011 British XC Champs, with a lap described by Phil Dixon (British Cycling Mtb Coach) as “the best UK course outside of Dalby’s World Cup course”. More info: Nutcrackermtb.co.uk
Eastern Regional Champs – With a history of Mtb racing stretching back two decades, Thetford Forest (IP27 0AF) was the natural choice to host this year’s Champs race. Famed for its buff singletrack and bombholes, big ring racing and high average speeds will be the order of the day here. More info: Mudsweatgears.co.uk
East and West Midlands Regional Champs – Consistently the racers favourite course in the region, Hanchurch Woods (ST4 8SN) overlooking Stoke-on-Trent returns to host the regional champs for a second time. Fast, technical singletrack is the signature style on a new spectator friendly loop. More info: Midlandsxc.wordpress.com
Southern and Central Regional Champs – Wasing Park (RG7 4NG), twice host to a round of the National Series, this will be racers only chance to preview the location for the 2012 British Champs. The succession of steep climbs and drops break up the flowing singletrack and keeps the heartrate sky-high. More info: Southernxc.net
South West Regional Champs – The former UCI World Cup venue of Newnham Park (PL7 5BN) is the quintessential South West race course, mixing singletrack once raced on by the likes of Tomac and Overend, with new technical trails that are a trademark of the Fully Sussed organising crew. More info: Fullysussed.co.uk
Entry on the day is available at all of the races, with riders of all ages and abilities catered for. You’re free to choose which event you take part in, however you’ll only be eligible for the Champs if you compete within your region. For those chasing ranking points, British Cycling National single points are up for grabs.
And if you live across the border? The Scottish Champs will take place in Aberfoyle on Sunday 3rd June, with the Welsh Champs scheduled for Sunday 2nd September at Coed y Brenin.
All images courtesy Rob Crayton