Pre-event press release and track information
PRE EVENT PRESS RELEASE. 29.4.08
The GBXC team are pleased to release final details and some course information for this coming Sundays round 2 of this high profile televised cross country race series.
Track design and route plans have been finalised today by the clerk of the course and work has started in prepping and building the circuit.
Get ready to go racing GBXC stylie…this event is certainly going to be the fastest riding of the lot and will offer the huge number of riders a fast blast across the Monmouthshire countryside.
The circuit is exactly 7 miles in length and is made up of open and flowing grass fields that link two MX circuits via some slow speed stream work and 2 small woodland plantations.
This is a race that will certainly be a true cross country event as the 500 committed riders will blast their way along hedgerows and sweeping fields with varying degrees of altitude.
Track Boss Steve Ireland said today:
“ This is a very, very quick circuit indeed and the best advice I can offer to the riders building up to this event is to drop some teeth on that rear sprocket guys and girls, you really are going to be hauling some big speeds.
It definitely will be the fastest riding of the series, after the tight woods and power sapping sand of Rd 1 at Matchams Park this event is the total opposite with wide open spaces and rolling fields for the riders to twist that throttle open and for sure the bravest riders will be the quickest.
It is a true XC event as we will be covering over 650 acres of prime South Wales countryside and I’m really pleased that we have achieved a lap of 7 miles.
Entries have gone crazy and we (myself and Paul Edmondson) are really pleased that the series has been so well received in this, it’s first year.
Some other news I have for you is that Paul Edmondson will be riding himself and is keen to try and push David Knight for as long and as hard as he can.
Paul was not going to ride in the series but in the interest of making good TV and offering the spectators a true spectacle we had a chat and agreed together it would be good for him to ride this round.
Paul admits he can’t push like he used to but is really keen to see how far and for how long he can push David, especially in these super quick conditions.
Paul is still full of world class ability and also desire so I had to let him ride.
One thing I have insisted though is that Paul does not get to ride the circuit or even see it before the event unless he walks it like every other rider; we have to keep it fair.
I’m really looking forward to it and hope the weather is on our side like it was at Matchams, However if it is a wet one then we will certainly still run it and do our best. See you all at the weekend.” - Steve
Some places are still available in some of the classes and as always pre booking in is required although all riders can pay on the day. The organisers have made a decision reference the riders that book in and then do not show up.
The fact that GBXC make it very easy to book in without need for pre payment or sending in hassle strewn paperwork is a bonus for the riders straight away however this system is open to abuse from fair weather riders that see some rain or mud and then decide not to take part after having taken a valuable race entry place.
So….
Anyone booked in that does not turn up without letting the entries secretary know in advance will not be allowed to continue in the series as at round one the amount of no show riders was unacceptable.
That’s the official bit out of the way, now get that gearing sorted and lube that throttle cable, it’s time to go GBXC racing.