Preview: British 4X Championships

Schwalbe British 4X Festival
Schwalbe British 4X Series round 5 and National Championships

The National Championships is the biggest domestic Cycling honour available to cyclists, and this weekend - 13th and 14th July, the British 4X Series has its biggest weekend of the year at Much Wenlock near Bridgnorth in Shropshire. On Saturday 13th July it is round 5 of the Schwalbe British 4X Series, then on Sunday 14th July it is the Schwalbe 4X National Championships.


The 'edge of your seat' mountain bike discipline of 4X kicks of 2 weeks of British Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships here in the UK with Downhill and XC events following.

The 4X track at Much Wenlock has hosted the National Championships before in 2008, however the track has recently undergone some changes which have totally transformed the look and feel of this popular track.


Series organiser Chris Roberts and Elite rider Scott Beaumont have had a plan for a while to change the track layout. Adding an entirely new first and last straight, the track is now longer, more technical for the riders and will provide more action for the spectators. It will be a true test for the riders and only the best will be crowned National Champion.


Schwalbe British 4X Series Round 5

On Saturday 13th July, it is round 5 of the Schwalbe British 4X Series. After what has been without doubt, the best season of 4X here in the UK, expectations are high for the racing in Much Wenlock to be of the same high caliber. With more passes, more action, improved tracks and big crowds, the 2013 season has lived up to expectations and then some.

With a good weather forecast, new track design and good pre entry numbers, round 5 of the 6 round series looks set to be a great day.


British 4X National Championships

On the domestic calendar, this is the big one. The single race that entitles the winners to be written in history. The race that allows the winners to wear the Union Jack flag on their jersey sleeve and be called National Champion.

Riders aged between 12 and 65 will be battling in their respective categories to see who will be crowned National Champion. The races that everyone will want to see though are the senior male and females.

In 2013, two British riders have been simply flying on the domestic and international circuit. Katy Curd and Scott Beaumont will come into the 2013 4X National Championships as the favourites. They are both in some serious form in 2013 and the 2012 National Champions will be looking to retain their titles. Who is going to stop them......

In the women's, Cara Murray, Suzanne Lacey, Jess Greaves and Heather Kay have all had the speed this year, and will be looking to upset Katy Curd's day. On the new track, anything will be possible and the challenge will definitely come from one of these women.

In the men's, Tom Dowie, Isaac Mundy, Nathan Parsons, Dan Bateson, Duncan Ferris and Will Evans have all won races in 2013. They are all capable of being crowned the National Champion. This is probably the closest contested National Championships in recent memory. Scott Beaumont is the favourite, but any one of these riders has a strong chance of taking the win.



Timetable:

Saturday 13th July - Round 5 Schwalbe British 4X Series:

9.30am Open Practice
10.00am Gate Practice – Fun, Big Fun, Juvenile, Youth, Master, Veteran, Girls
10.30am Gate Practice – Junior, Senior & Pro Elite
11.00 Track Closed.
12.00pm Racing starts
Motos
1/8 Finals ( 33 Minimum number of riders required in a class)
1/4 Finals (17 Minimum number of riders required in a class)
Semi Finals (9 Minimum number of riders required in a class)
Finals
4.30pm Presentations


Sunday 14th July – Schwalbe 4X National Champs

09:00 – 10:00 Riders registration
10:00 – 11:00 Track open for training
11:00 – 11:30 Gate training
12:00 – 12:30 Timed Qualification for Senior
13:00 – 14:00 3 Motos Qualification for Fun, Big Fun, Juvenile, Youth, Junior, Master & Veteran
14:30 – 17:00 Quarters, Semis & Finals
18:00 Awards ceremony


Directions:

When heading North on the M6 exit at junction 10a.
When heading South exit at junction 11.
Join the M54 and stay on until junction 6, take the first exit off the round-a-bout above the motorway and continue to follow signs for Much Wenlock.
When approaching from any other direction, Much Wenlock is ½ way between Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury on the A458
The Edge Adventure Activities Centre is located about a mile past Much Wenlock on the A458. Look out for signs on the road side.
Opposite Walton Cottages,

Much Wenlock,
Shropshire,
TF13 6PP.

http://www.theedgeadventure.co.uk/find-us.php


Camping:

There is a camping field right next to the track. There are also Cafe & Toilets.
The camping field over looks the track.
Catering on site all weekend.


For more information on the Schwalbe British 4X Series, visit:

http://www.british4x.com