Racing News
Southern XC 2006 preview
by Southern XC, 15 Dec 05.
For the first time Crow Hill near Ringwood, Hampshire will join the impressive line-up of venues selected for the 2006 Southern XC cross country mountain bike race series. To maximise the appeal of the Series, entry fees for the points-scoring championship categories have been held at 2005 prices.
Located on the western edge of the New Forest National Park, Crow Hill will be the series' most southerly venue and returns top class mountain bike racing to the area. "We wanted to increase the geographical spread of the series and return to the New Forest especially now it has National Park status", commented Southern XC Series spokesman Steve Jones. "Crow Hill is not far from the end of the M27 and close to Bournemouth so it is ideal. There is an enthusiastic group of people behind the event and I am sure riders will enjoy the course."
The 2006 series gets underway on Sunday, 23rd April at the ever-popular Checkendon course run by the Reading Area All Terrain Mountain Bike Club. The Southern XC circus then moves on to East Sussex for the Team Darenth-organised round at East Grinstead on Sunday, 14th May. Following the new Crow Hill event on Sunday, 18th June, West Drayton Mountain Bike Club will run the vital penultimate round at Bordon just off the A3 in north east Hampshire. The Series finale will take place at Yateley Heath Wood near Yateley, Hants run by Gorrick Mountain Bike Club.
The Southern XC Series will run under the auspices of the Mountain Bike Sport Association for the seven established XC racing categories with a return of a separate Elite category: Elite, Sport, Masters, Veteran, Grand Veteran, Juniors, Expert/Super Masters. Points will also be awarded to the two Youth categories and the Under 12 racers. It will also cater for a number of non-championship categories, including Open, Fun and Under 10 riders.
In a bid to improve the categories for youngsters, Southern XC will introduce a new two-level set-up for riders aged 12-16. The fastest rides will now be able to race over two laps, whilst newcomers will have their own one lap race. Separate categories will also be run for riders aged under 12 and under 10 years. "We believe the Youth 2 Lap race will appeal to the very best young mountain bike racers and better prepare them for the transition to Juniors", added Jones. "The Youth 1 Lap category is ideal for riders just past 12 years old and newcomers to the sport who can now find their feet before moving up to the tougher challenge offered by the 2 Lap class."
Provisional 2006 Southern XC Series Dates (date: venue, organising club)
Sunday, 23rd April: Checkendon, Reading All Terrain MBC
Sunday, 14th May: East Grinstead, Team Darenth
Sunday, 18th June: Crow Hill, Team Southern XC
Sunday, 30th July: Bordon, West Drayton MBC
Sunday, 3rd September: Yateley Heath Wood, Gorrick MBC
The Southern XC Series is jointly organised by the leading Mountain Bike Clubs in the south of England - including Gorrick MBC (Bracknell), Reading All Terrain MBC, Team Darenth (Kent) and West Drayton MBC/Beyond Mountain Bikes Team (Middlesex).
Visit SouthernXC.com for latest news and details about the Southern XC Series.
01 Dec 24
26 Jan 25
