British Cycling's 4X National Championships and BDS Preview

Moelfre Hall near Oswestry is the destination for mountain bike fans to get up close and personal to watch the UK’s top flight riders in both 4X and Downhill.

The weekend starts on Saturday with a full day's practice for the BDS - British Cycling’s National Downhill Mountain Bike Series quickly followed on the evening with the action-packed British Cycling’s 4x National Championships. Sunday’s schedule is practice for the BDS in the morning with seeding and then final race runs in the afternoon.


The downhill track at Moelfre is one of the most stunning location wise and unique tracks in the country. Moelfre was originally made famous back in 1995 as it was the set for the film ‘The Englishman who went up a hill but came down a mountain’ starring Hugh Grant. If you visit the venue, you will see high above the switchback section a large mound of dirt several meters high that was constructed especially for the film.

At 2km long and with only two trees on the entire course, the track is a high-speed affair. Originally designed and dug out by Dan Atherton and raced in 2003 for the NPS - National Points Series (The forerunner to the BDS). The top section straight out of the start line is flat out with riders unable to spin any faster and often opting to the preferred tuck position. That section is a real test to see who has the most bottle to hold on and stay off the brakes in the wide open corners. The tight and rocky switchback corners follow and they will test the riders technical skill levels and puncture avoidance systems. The middle section straight traverses around the hill before riders attack the end of the 4x track and dial their jumping skills in what will be the best spectator area for the event. Riders then shoot into the long finish arena at Mach 5 before crossing the line in under 2mins 30secs if they want to beat last year's winner, Madison Saracen's Matt Simmonds.


The highlight of the BDS will be the Schwalbe Elite categories that will race at the end of the day.

Elite Men’s Category:
Dirt Magazines Innes Graham currently leads the series after winning round 3. He sits on 503 points, 28 in front of Madison Saracens Matt Simmonds on 475 points. Trek Factory Racing’s Gee Atherton who missed round 3 takes advantage of his win at round 1 at Ae Forest with his 420 points total to date.


Elite Women’s Category:
Rose Bikes Katy Curd consistent race runs over the past three rounds has put her into the series lead with 570 points. Madison Saracens Manon Carpenter who practiced round 3 but never raced due to food poisoning is placed in second spot with 450 points, 120 points behind Katy. Transition Factory Racings Tahnee Seagrave who also missed round 3 after dislocating her elbow rounds up the top three on 370 points, 200 points of the series leader.

Do note the six round series overall is based on your top five results. Seeding also carries up to 50 points with race runs offering 200 points for the win.

BDS Schedule:
Saturday
09:30 Open practice for all Juvenile Men, Youth Men, Senior Men, Master Men, Veteran Men, Grand Veteran Men, Junior Men and Women.
10:30 Open practice for all.
17:00 Course open for Expert Men, Elite Men and Elite Women Only.
18:00 Course Closed.

Sunday
08:30 Open Practice for all.
10:45 to 11:00 Elite Men’s Practice only.
11:15 Seeding Run followed by one timed Race Run.
17:30 Podium for top five in each category.


British Cycling’s 4x National Championships will be on a newly revised track, built and designed by Mark Sleigh BMX track builder. Mark is an integral part of the BDS course team and recently re-shaped the motorway jumps at Fort William for the BDS event prior to the World Cup as well as rebuilding all the jumps at Rhyd-Y-Felin. Expect multiple lines and options to tackle the features Mark has laid out on the new national standard course.


In the Senior Men’s category, last years National Champion and two times BMX World Champion Scott Beaumont will look to be taking the win again. The beauty of 4x is that anything can happen and the stacked Elite field will offer excitement and a few surprises. Keep an eye on Madison Saracens Will Longden as well as Martin Ogden, two legends of the sport who could both put in the upset of the night.

Practice will be on Friday evening allowing the riders ample practice to dial the track in. Saturday will see the practice in the afternoon followed by seeding and Moto’s. Quickly followed by the finals and then straight to presentations.

4x RACE SCHEDULE
Friday:
18:00 to 21:00 Practice full track. Gate practice

Saturday:
14:00 to 16:00 Open Practice.
17:30 to 17.45 Qualifications Senior Men & Women.
18:00 to 19:30 3 Motos Rippers, Juvenile, Youth, Junior, Master, Vets, Grand Vets & Women.
19:45 Semi finals and finals for all categories.
20:15 Finals All.
20:30 Podiums.


Saturday evening we welcome camping onsite and for rider and spectators to take advantage of the bar, onsite catering, and entertainment.

Location: The event will be well signposted.
Farmer Jaq’s
Moelfre Hall
Moelfre
SY10 7QJ
Just 15 minutes West of Oswestry near Llansilin.


For further information on the event please click here. / @BritishDownhillseries