2017 HSBC UK National Downhill Series Presented by GT Bicycles

HSBC UK is the title sponsor for the next eight years of the British Downhill Series (BDS) with GT Bicycles being the presenting sponsor for 2017. Known as the HSBC UK National Downhill Series presented by GT Bicycles. The increased investment will see the series grow to new heights and further establish the series as the leading national downhill series in the World. The 2017 series will comprise of six rounds and will be co-ordinated by British Cycling in partnership with the experienced BDS Team.


This weekend, the 1st and 2nd of April sees round 1 of British Cycling's National Downhill Series at Nant Gwrtheyrn, in North Wales. The cream of UK downhill will descend into "The Nant" as it is often called, now home to the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre. This magical place is located in a former quarrying village on the northern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales. This secluded Victorian village has undergone a £5m renovation in recent years which included construction of a new access road and the addition of a new weddings and conference centre.

A full house of 250 riders are booked in with practice scheduled all day Saturday from 09:30 to 18:00. Sunday is race day with practice from 08:30 to 11:00 quickly followed by seeding runs and then race runs. Round 1 winners will be crowned come 17:00 in the finish arena straight after the final race runs.


Headlining the event are current UCI World Champions; Trek Factory Racing's, Rachel Atherton and MS Mondrakers', Danny Hart. They will be up against stiff competition with Rachel up against Radon's Manon Carpenter and FMD Racing's Tahnee Seagrave in the Elite Women's category along with ten other female athletes contending the category.


The Elite men's final is set to be a nail biter with the Santa Cruz Syndicate's, Steve Peat and Trek Factory Racing's, Gee Atherton going head to head against the likes of the 2016 BDS series winner, Matt Simmonds as well as the likes of Adam Brayton, Marc Beaumont, Jack Reading, Mike Jones, Graeme Mudd, Taylor Vernon and a number of top contenders in the 30 strong category.

For further information on this weekend's event for both riders and spectators, please click HERE The location is: Nant Gwrtheyrn, Llithfaen, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales. LL53 6NL.


Entries are open to everyone and we welcome International riders of all ages to enter and compete in the series (International riders do not require a British Cycling Licence to enter). To enter please click HERE.

2017 HSBC UK National Downhill Series presented by GT Bicycles Dates and Venues:

Round 2: 13th and 14th of May at Fort William, Scotland.

Round 3: 17th and 18th of June at Rhyd-Y-Felin, Wales.

Round 4: 29th and 30th of July at Moelfre, Wales.

Round 5: 19th and 20th of August at Llangollen, Wales.

Round 6: 16th and 17th of September at Hopton, England.

We can also confirm full factory race support for all riders from Shimano, Hope Technology, Crankbrothers, WD40 and Sprung Suspension.


MENTIONS: @si-paton / @GTBicycles / @BritishDownhillseries