Just as Mike brewed the second cup of tea this morning the Dirt inbox pinged and we got word of the dates for the British Downhill Series in 2015. Si Paton and the crew got the green light from British Cycling a few weeks back securing the series for another two years so we should be seeing things grow in the coming seasons.
The races are taking in some classic locations but also keeping Antur Stiniog from the race early in the 2014 season. The Fort William round happens just before the World Cup round so as we saw in 2014 there might be a good showing of international riders getting up to speed prior to the big race. Here’s the word from Si, he’s got a way with words!
BDS 2015 DATES
Rd1 April 4/5th
Ae Forest
Re-developments are in place to enhance the track as we return again to the Scottish Borders to kick start the season off in style as we are hoping to finish into the large field across the road. Watch this space!
Rd2 May 16/17
Nevis Range, Fort Bill UCI Cat 1
Three weeks before the World Cup there we saw Specialized’s Troy Brosnan make a whistle stop tour, taking fifth place at this years BDS. A month later he took his first ever World Cup win at Fort Bill. He put his success down to riding the track at the BDS a month before. Expect to see a large influx of international riders entering this event.
Rd3 May 30/31
Llangollen UCI Cat 2
Steeper and more technical than Switzerland’s Champery according to Giant’s Danny Hart. Saracen/Madison’s Manon Carpenter said it was the hardest course she raced in the whole of 2014, that includes all of the World Cups. We will again return to the dark woods of Llangollen, to test the Worlds best riders. With the event being one week before the World Cup at Fort William this event will bring out all the big guns.
Rd4 June 27/28
Rhyd Y Felin (Bala)
Widely recognised as one of the best DH race courses in the U.K. This epic course that was originally built by the likes of Dan Brown, Cunny and the Brains has it all and with the assistance of the Pearce Cycles crew on the uplift, expect this one to go down in the history books for the first ever BDS there.
Rd5 July 11/12
Moelfre
Moelfre, love it or hate it’s the Marmite of downhill in the UK. Fast open Welsh hillside with only two trees close to the finish, the only course longer is Fort William. Speeds will be high as the riders descend down and traverse around Farmer Jac’s mountain before they hit the 4x track and float across the finish line.
Rd6 September 19/20
Antur Stiniog
The sun shone in March this year and we hope for the same again in September. Expect even bigger crowds, is that even possible? The venue now comes with two exciting added attractions, the longest zip wire ride in the World along with the indoor caverns fitted with trampolines. Don’t forget the race though, this will be the final and riders will be giving it their all, fighting for those valuable points to take the series win in their respective categories.
ENTRIES AND PRIZES
Online entries open Saturday the 3rd of January 2015 for those with 100 British Cycling points or more via the British Cycling website. Entries will be £75.00 per round.
Confirmed prizes and sponsors:
£10,000 in prize money and £20,000 in products.
Schwalbe for the Elite Women and Elite Men.
Surf n Turf (Instant Shelters) for shelters, flags and banners
Hope Technology for trophies.
Youth – Marzocchi
Masters – NS Bikes
Veterans – Dainese
Women – Flare Clothing
Juniors – Spank
The Mud Hugger for the fastest time of the day at £100 per round.
Rose Bikes for the Biggest Winning Margin at £100 per round.
Works Components for the fastest time through the speed trap at £100 per round.
Timing will be by Sports Timing Services / Tag Heuer.
And here’s a few snippets of the 2014 season if you needed reminding how good it was!
