The British Downhill Series (BDS) is the world's leading national downhill mountain bike series and attracts 320 of the world's fastest racers to Great Britain. The series is affiliated with both British Cycling and the UCI, offering a wealth of UCI points, £10,000 in prize money and £20,000 worth of prizes.
The 2013 season saw 13 out of 14 of the UCI Elite Teams attend at least one round with riders such as; Gee Atherton, Steve Smith, Greg Minnaar, Loic Bruni, Sam Blenkinsop, Marcelo Guiterrez Villegas, Sam Hill, Danny Hart, Matt Simmonds, Nick Beer, Andrew Neethling, Markus Pekoll, Faustin Figaret, Brook Macdonald, Steve Peat, Marc Beaumont, Josh Bryceland, Brendan Fairclough, Joe Smith, Adam Brayton, Harry Heath, Bernard Kerr, Ben Reid and Cedric Gracia all putting in at least one appearance.
Greg Minnaar used the BDS for early practice of the Fort William track exactly one month before the World Cup.
Dates and VenuesRound 1 29/30 March Antur Stiniog, North Wales.
Round 2 10/11 May Fort William. Scotland.
Round 3 31 May/1 June Ae Forest, Scottish Borders.
Round 4 28/29 June Llangollen, Mid Wales.
Round 5 13/14 September Bike Park Wales. South Wales.
Sam Blenkinsop and the Lapierre International are already confirmed to race.
Entry Procedure:The race is pre entry only and entries go live on the British Cycling website at 09:00 on Saturday the 4th of January at 09:00.
British riders must hold a British Cycling race license with a valid membership in either silver or gold and have scored 100 BC points in 2013.
International riders of all ages/categories are welcomed to enter the BDS via the British Cycling website. You must present a valid race license from your National Federation at race registration.
Race Categories and running order for both seeding and race runs: Juvenile
Youth
Grand Veterans
Veteran
Master
Women
Elite Women
Junior
Senior
Expert
Elite
Enter the 2014 BDS by clicking here.Santa Cruz Syndicates Steve Peat will be in the BDS house for 2014.
2014 Race Schedule:Friday
13:00 Venue open for team pits, parking and camping.
15:00 Course open for on foot inspection only.
15:00 Commissaire course walk.
18:00 - 20:00 Race registration.
Saturday
08:00 - 11:00 Race registration.
09:30 Open practice for all riders.
18:00 Course Closed.
18:05 Riders meeting.
Sunday
08:30 Open practice for all riders.
11:00 Timed seeding run followed by one timed race run.
17:30 Last Elite racer down.
17:45 Podium.
The BDS spectators are second to none.
The top flight women race the BDS, come and race with Rachel Atherton, Manon Carpenter, Floriane Pugin, Tahnee Seagrave, Fionn Griffiths, Emmeline Ragot, Emilie Siegenthaler, Casey Brown, Morgane Charre, Steffi Marth, Jess Stone, Alanna Columb, Traharn Chidley and Rachael Walker.
Toby Parodi is the voice of the BDS and will be in charge of the microphone at each round to inform and entertain you.
The BDS welcomes all sponsorship enquiries, please contact the Race Director.
Race Director:
Si Paton: simon_paton@yahoo.co.uk
Click on the British Downhill Series Facebook Page for all the latest news.
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