Get ready for a weekend of mountain bike fun with our double-header national weekend! The Lloyds Bank National Cross-country Championships and Lloyds Bank National Downhill Championships will see the best British riders take to the start line to battle it out for the coveted red, white and blue national champions jersey. Here we’ve pulled together all the key information you need, and a few of our ones to watch across both events.
Lloyds Bank National Downhill Championships
The British National Downhill Championships will once again take place at the iconic Rhyd-Y-Felin for a second year running. A staple on the British downhill calendar, riders will be familiar with the course which has huge jumps and tight berms to ensure thrilling competition for riders and spectators alike.
With runs typically coming in at around three minutes, the top section is very quick with some loose slate turns, while the riders’ technique will be tested on narrow sections with roots and stumps. After riders cross the fire road into the final wooded section, they will encounter some grassy turns, where many races have been won and lost in the past.
Looking to go along to watch? Find out more information through the tech guide here.
Ones to watch
World champion Charlie Hatton headlines the elite open field, but reigning national title holder Matt Walker will not be going down without a fight. Joe Breeden and Joseph Smith will both be ones to watch, having made it onto the podium last year, while Breeden also won the second round of the national series in Antur Stiniog. Adam Brayton took the third-round victory in Fort William and will hope to get on the podium at this year’s event. Other ones to watch include former junior world champion Jordan Williams, 2022 national champion Greg Williamson, Dom Platt and Taylor Vernon. In the junior open, George Madley has been on sensational form all season and looks to be the favourite.
Reigning national champion Harriet Harnden leads the elite women’s races, having performed exceptionally at this year’s UCI Enduro World Cups. Harnden will be challenged by the likes of Louise-Anna Ferguson, who finished fourth at the world championships in Glasgow last year, and 2022 national champion Stacey Fisher. Having taken wins in the national downhill series this year, Jessica Stone will also be one to watch, as well as young rider Nina-Yves Cameron, Bethany McCully and Mikayla Parton. Heather Wilson will spearhead the junior women’s line-up, having won the world cup round in Fort William back in May.
Lloyds Bank National Cross-country Championships
Riders will do battle once again in Dalby Forest in Pickering, taking on the black mountain bike route, which was voted the best world cup course by the UCI in 2010. Taking place over the 19-21 July weekend, riders will have the opportunity to be crowned the short track and Olympic national champions on a spectacular course that will be a favourite for spectators and riders alike.
A technical world-class course, the riders will be prepared to take on the many steep climbs and challenging descents, including the epic Medusa's Drop.
Ones to watch
In the elite women’s field, national marathon champion Isla Short will be vying to add another national title to her accolades but will face stiff competition from the seasoned Annie Last, who won the short track title in 2022. Having had strong showings at the national rounds, Grace Inglis and Ruby James will also be ones to watch. The under-23 Olympic race is spearheaded by reigning champion Ella Maclean-Howell, who will be making her Olympic debut at the Paris Games this year, with Emily Carrick-Anderson, Anna Flynn and Elena McGorum also racing for the title. In the junior field, Bethany-Ann Jackson, Madeline Moorhouse Smith, Evie Strachan and Ellie Mitchinson will all be battling it out for the stripey jersey.
The open competitions will certainly host some great battles, with strong competition from Cameron Orr, Thomas Mein, Max Greensill and Corran Carrick-Anderson all vying for a national title in the short track and Olympic races. Max Standen, Ben Coppola and Innes McDonald will certainly be ones to watch in the junior open races, with the up-and-coming talent proving strong.
