Posted on: 5th April 2012
Event: Various events throughout Arpil, May & June
THE SEARCH FOR SCOTLANDS FASTEST YOUTH DOWNHILL BIKE RIDER IS ON!
Over this coming April and May, Scottish Cycling, the National Governing Body for cycling in Scotland, with the support of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland will be delivering a Series of Regional Mini Downhill Events to select the countries best Youth Downhill riders. The top riders will then race at the Mini Downhill Final during the Award winning UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Fort William on the 9th June 2012.
What is a Mini Downhill I hear you ask? Downhill mountain biking is a fast and exciting sport, pitting man and machine against the clock. Each rider has to ride a set course comprising of jumps, drops, roots, rocks, twists and turns. The aim is to complete the course in the fastest time you can.
Mini downhill is just like the real thing but miniature! Shorter courses, smaller bikes (no need for full suspension!) and younger riders but it has all of the passion, excitement and drama of racing! The Mini Downhill Series will provide young downhill riders, aged between 8 and 16 years of age, their first taste of downhill mountain bike racing. The podium places from each event will be invited to compete at the final at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Fort William.
Bob MacFarlane, Scottish Cycling’s National Development Manager said: ‘Scottish Cycling is very excited to be putting on a Series of Regional Mini Downhill Events this spring with the support of all the clubs, organisations and volunteers. The series will give young riders a chance to try downhill racing and we are delighted to give the finalists the chance to ride at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Fort William. Which is an experience of a life time, as it is one of the main highlights in the mountain bike racing calendar, where the world’s best riders come to Scotland’s international level competition to race in front of huge crowds of cheering fans.’
Dates for the up and coming events are followed:
Fort William - 22nd April 2012 - Click here for race report & results
Perth – 07th May 2012 - Click here for race report & results
Newmilns – 12th May 2012 - Click here for race report & results
Stirling – 13th May 2012 - Click here for race report & results
TweedLove – 26th May 2012 - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER - please note you will be forwarded to the TweedLove site
Mini Downhill Final – 09th June 2012
The cost for each round is £15/ £17.50 on the day per racer and there is no limit to how many rounds an individual can enter, however if a rider has already qualified at a previous round, then the next rider below him/her will then qualify for the final.
Each rider that enters any Scottish Cycling Mini Downhill Series event will get a FREE ticket to the Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup taking place on 09th & 10th June 2012!
Please note that online entries close at 12 noon the day before race day.
Age Categories
There will be 4 age categories for the event:
- Youth A -Under 16 (born 1996/1997)
- Youth B - Under 14 (born 1998/1999)
- Youth C - Under 12 (born 2000/2001)
- Youth D -Under 10 minimum age of 8years* (born 2002/2003)
*Given the nature of the event entrants for the under 10 category will be ‘by application’ Under 10’s will need to name a fully qualified UKCC level2 coach who can confirm their riding ability for the event.
