Rose Bikes British Downhill Series

We head to Rhyd-Y-Felin (Bala) this weekend for round 4 of the British Downhill Series. Check out our preview with all you need to know.

At 2km, the course is the second longest in the 2015 series and challenges riders over three minutes of varied terrain. The start fires the riders at speed into large jumps and bermed corners, before they hit the dark and technical woods that are littered with roots and ruts to challenge even the best riders. The riders then drop into the open section, navigating the tree stumps as they enter the home straight at ever increasing speeds.

The Schwalbe Elite Women’s category is dominated by current UCi Downhill World Cup holder and World Champion Manon Carpenter (Madison Saracen) on 670 points, a commanding 130 point lead over UCi 4x World Champion Katy Curd (Rose Vaujany) on 540 points. Previous National Champion Rachel Atherton (GT Factory Racing) makes a welcome return after winning Stage 2 at Fort William.

The Schwalbe Elite Men’s category is led by UCi Downhill World Champion Gee Atherton (GT Factory Racing) who shows consistent form with two race wins under his belt already this year. 164 points separate Atherton from UCi Word Cup Series Winner Josh Bryceland (Santa Cruz Syndicate) who is in front of Stage 3 winner Joe Smith (Chain Reaction Cycles/Nukeproof) by a slim margin of just two points. With 50 points awarded for seeding and 200 points for the race win, Atherton is expected to come under pressure from the World Class elite field.

The Spank Junior Men will go to the wire this season with series leader Frazer McCubbing only 40 points ahead of his rival Bradley Swinbank, both of who have taken a series win each this season. 84 points behind Swinbank in third place is Charlie Hatton.

With 250 points awarded this weekend as well as selection for the World Championships this year the pressure is on for these riders to produce the race run of their lives.

British Cycling’s National Downhill Mountain Bike Series Round 4, Rhyd Y Felin, Llangynog, Powys, Wales on Saturday the 26th of June and Sunday 27th of June 2015.

SOLD OUT – NO SPACES LEFT – NO RESERVE LIST.

Ranking of event:
BC 2015 British Cycling National Series Single Points.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/mtb/article/mtbst_National-MTB-Ranking-Points-Explained

The Venue: Also known as Bala is not actually in Bala. Please note that Rhyd-y-Felin is a privately owned forest and therefore access is prohibited. Please do not walk or ride the track outside of organised events.
Unauthorised use will stop events being held at this venue. Any rider who causes such above actions will receive a life time ban from any BDS events.

From the south and east: From Shrewsbury take A5 signed Oswestry/North Wales. At Wolfshead roundabout on the new Nesscliffe by-pass, turn west onto the B4396 toward Knockin. After passing through Knockin Village continue towards Llynclys. At crossroads with A483 (Oswestry – Welshpool road) continue over on the A495 (B4396) signed Bala through the villages Llanyblodwel, Pen-y-Bont and Llangedwyn. After passing through Llangedwyn follow the B4396 that bears to the left signed Bala. This road becomes narrow with tight bends in places. At give way turn right onto B4391 towards Bala/Llangynog continue through Pen-y-Bont Fawr to Llangynog.

From the north: From Oswestry follow the A483 south toward Welshpool. At Llynclys crossroads turn west onto A495 (B4396) signed Bala. Continue through the villages Llanyblodwel, Pen-y-Bont and Llangedwyn. After passing through Llangedwyn follow the B4396 that bears to the left signed Bala. This road becomes narrow with tight bends in places. At give way turn right onto B4391 towards Bala/Llangynog continue through Pen-y-Bont Fawr to Llangynog.

Nearest postcode: SY10 0HJ

From Aberdeen Distance: 412.7 miles / Time: 8 hrs 1 min.
From Birmingham Distance: 83.9 miles / Time: 2 hrs 9 min.
From Bristol Distance: 147.9 miles / Time: 3 hr 25 mins.
From Edinburgh Distance: 291 miles / Time: 5 hrs 49 mins.
From Fort William Distance: 392.6miles / Time: 7 hrs 50 mins.
From Glasgow Distance: 288.6 miles / Time: 5 hrs 26 mins.
From Liverpool Distance: 63.6 miles / Time: 1 hr 53 mins.
From London Distance: 200.8 miles / Time: 4 hrs 18 mins.
From Sheffield Distance: 128.7 miles / Time: 3 hrs 5mins.

Nearest Train Station:Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway Station. Church Street, Blaenau Festiniog LL41 3HE.

Nearest Ferry Port: Holyhead Port of Holyhead, Holyhead, Anglesey, Gwynedd. LL65 1DQ.

Nearest Airport:Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Liverpool, L24 1YD.

Car park: £5.00 per vehicle, motorbikes will be free. Racers will not have to pay this charge.

Spectating will be free.

Camping: £5.00 per pitch is payable by everyone who is staying overnight. Camping will be available onsite. The finish arena is grassed, level and ideal for camping. You must leave site by 19:00 on the Sunday evening of the event.

Security: Will be onsite both Friday and Saturday night of the event. You are strongly advised to lock away all of your possessions.

The Course: Man made obstacles are in abundance along the whole length of the course with several large jumps and berms. The finish arena will be surrounded by crowd barriers. Riders are advised to wear suitable protection that they think suitable, walk the course prior to riding and ride within their own ability level.

Start Line Grid Reference: SJ 03322 24159

Finish Line Grid Reference: SJ 03425 25553

Length – 1.5 km.
Start altitude – 543 m.
Finish altitude – 176 m.
Vertical descent – 367 m.
Fastest time 3:22 minutes.
Course rating (1-5 with 5 being very technical): Rating 5.

Course/Marshal Map: http://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/Rhyd-Y-Felin_Marshal_Map/Ijyvi9PDH7

Event Village Map: http://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/Rhyd-Y-Felin_Event_Village/GNlLPkO2qs

Mobile phone signal is very poor.

Medical: Medical: www.remotemedicalservices.co.uk will provide full medical cover both on course (In a 4×4 vehicle) and from an identifiable Base Station with an ambulance in the event arena. Five medical personnel will be in attendance (One Paramedic and four EMT’s) and located at the fire roads and the finish arena.

Public Announcements: A PA system will be on site with announcements throughout the day. Toby Parodi, the voice of the BDS will be on hand all weekend. A Notice Board will also be on display in the Race Office/Rider Registration area for displaying information regarding the event.

Catering: Onsite Catering providing fresh hot and cold food and refreshments from:
Saturday 07:30 to 21:00
Sunday 07:00 to 18:00

Toilets: 10x Mobile Toilets will be provided, including women-only facilities. All will be serviced on Saturday evening and re-stocked throughout the weekend.

Skips: One 14 yard skip will be onsite. This is for rubbish items used at the event. Anyone arriving onsite and dumping in the skip will be withdrawn from the event and invoiced accordingly. Please ensure all BBQ’s are cold before disposing of in the skip. A fire will result in you being invoiced in full for any damage.

Nearest Hospital: Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Croesnewydd Road, Wrexham, LL13 7TD.
Telephone: 01978 291100

Nearest Police Station: Bala Police Station. Pensarn Rd, Bala, Gwynedd LL23 7SR. Telephone: 0845 607 1002

Nearest Showers: Penllyn Leisure Centre. Pensarn Road, Bala, LL23 7SR. Telehone: 01678 521222

Drinking Water: Drinking water is not available onsite.

Bike Wash: A bike wash is available onsite courtesy of Duck Smart.

Organisation: BDS Events. British Cycling Club Registration Number 11280.
Event Director: Simon Paton
British Cycling Licence Number 405398.
Email: si@pinkbike.com
Mobile: 07968 229 359.

Race Director: Colin Olden.
Commercial Manager: Krien Dawson.
Event Village Manager – Tony Standish.
Head Marshal: Paul Tunnell.
Race Registration/Start Line: Anne Brewin.
Track Maintenance: Mark Ryan.
Photographer: Alex Gann, Grip Media.
Videographers: GBB Media.

https://www.facebook.com/britishdownhillseries

2015 Event Schedule:
Friday
13:00 Venue open for team pits, parking and camping.
16:00 Commissaire course walk. We reserve the right to change the course at any time through the event.
18:00 Course open for on foot inspection only. No transport to the top is provided or permitted.
18:00 20:00 Race registration, please bring your valid 2015 BC/UCI Race Licence.

Schedule Change:

As the event is not UCi sanctioned, on Saturday morning the track for Expert and Elites will not open until 10:30. They can access the uplift from 10:00. The uplift for all none experts and elites will close at 16:30 and you will have to be off the course by 17:00.

This will allow the Experts and Elite (Men and Women) an hour of practice exclusively to themselves between 17:00 and 18:00.

All the other categories; Juvenile, Youths, Juniors, Masters, Veterans, Grand Veterans, Junior Women and Women will have the first hour to themselves without the Experts or Elites.

Saturday
07:00 Course open for on foot inspection only. No transport to the top is provided or permitted.
08:00 – 11:00 Race registration, please bring your valid 2015 BC/UCI Race Licence.
09.00 Uplift opens for all riders bar Elite/Expert
09:30 Open practice for all riders bar Elite/Expert
10.30 Practice open for Elite/Expert
17:00 Last uplift – Elite/Expert only
18:00 Course Closed.
18:05 Riders meeting.
18:30 Course open for on foot inspection only. No transport to the top is provided or permitted.

Sunday
08:00 Uplift opens.
08:30 Open Practice for all.
10:15 Last Uplift Leaves.
10:16 First Uplift for racing.
10:45 Course Closed.
11:00 Timed Seeding Run followed by one timed race run.
17:30 Podium for top five in each category.

Event Entry: The race is pre-entry only via the British Cycling Website.
Race entry is £75.00 and you will need 100 British Cycling points from your 2014 season to enter on January 3rd 2015. Then is spaces are available those with 1 British Cycling point or more can enter on February 1st 2015.

Racer numbers for riders that have not already competed in the series will be available at the race office where all riders must sign on and present their valid National Federations race licence and membership. Failure to do so will result in a £10.00 fine payable to British Cycling. Once paid, the rider can then complete registration and compete in the event.

Riders will be given one front number board for the series. It is your responsibility to look after the number board. A lost front number board will mean an immediate £5.00 cash charge for a replacement. The same £5.00 fee applies if you modify your front number board and it needs replacing.
The front number board must be displayed on the front of your bike at all times whilst on track.
The number boards remain the property of BDS Events until the end of your race season. Please note no deposit is required.

Note: For series overall positions, five out of six rounds count, including seeding points.

Race Categories and running order for both seeding and race run. Race numbers shown in brackets:

Juvenile – DMR 13-14 years (900-925)
Youth – Marzocchi 15-16 years (800-899)
Grand Veteran – Hookit Products 50 and over (780-799)
Veteran – Dainese 40-49 years (700-774)
Master – NS Bikes 30-39 years (600-699)

Junior Women – Rachel Atherton 13-18 years (130-149)

Women – Flare Clothing 13 and over (160-199)

Elite Women – Schwalbe Tires 19 and over (100-125)
Junior – Spank 17-18 years (500-599)
Senior – Shimano – 19-29 years (300-399)
Expert – X-Fusion 19 and over (200-299)
Elite – Schwalbe Tires – 19 and over (1-99)

Juvenile – Riders must be in the year of their 13th or 14th birthday.

Youth – Riders in the year of their 15th or 16th birthdays.
Junior – Riders in the year of their 17th or 18th birthdays.
Senior – Riders in the year of their 19th birthday then the Senior category is the appropriate aged based category. See below for how riders can attain Expert or Elite status.
Master – For riders aged 30 to 39.
Veteran – For riders aged 40 to 49.
Grand Veteran – For riders aged over 50

Prize Money: All prize money will be paid directly by the race organiser to the riders by bank transfer. You will be contacted within 48 hours of the event with a request for your bank details and will then be paid within 48 hours. Please note there is no series overall prize money.

Elite Men
1st £300.00
2nd £200.00
3rd £100.00

Elite Women
1st £300.00
2nd £200.00
3rd £100.00

For each remaining race category the top five will be invited onto the podium and will win a voucher to cash in at the end of the series after the last round. The race organiser will e-mail each winner directly within a week of the final event stating exactly how much you have won and put you in touch directly with your category sponsor to claim your prize. If you have won for example £100.00 worth of vouchers you can purchase a £120.00 item and pay the difference yourself. If you purchase an item worth £90.00, you can not be refunded the difference.
You must claim your prizes by 18:00GMT on Friday 30th October 2015 or you will loose your prize.

Prize breakdown for each category*.
£100.00 for 1st place.
£80.00 for 2nd place.
£60.00 for 3rd place.
£40.00 for 4th place.
£20.00 for 5th place.

*This excludes the Elite Male and Female categories. The Grand Veterans will receive vouchers for the top three at each round (£75, £50, £25) and for the top three overall (£100, £75, £50). The Junior Women will receive vouchers for the top three at each round (£100, £60, £40) and for the top three overall (A prize money can’t buy).

The Mud Hugger Fastest Time of the Day £100.00
The rider who records the fastest time of the day in their race run. In the event of a tie, the rider with the fastest race time in seeding will be declared the winner. Prize money will be paid directly by The Mud Hugger.

Works Components Fastest Speed Through the Speed Trap £100.00. The rider who records the fastest speed of the day in their race run. In the event of a tie, the rider with the fastest overall race time will be declared the winner. Prize money will be paid directly by the race organiser.

Ride Portugal the official riding holiday partner of the 2015 BDS. A fully inclusive holiday providing flights, accommodation and two square meals a day to one lucky category winner at each round of the BDS; Round 1 Women, Round 2 Senior, Round 3 Master, Round 4 Veteran, Round 5 Grand Veteran, Round 6 Expert.

POV Cam Footage: This will be made available for all to view by being posted online through all the various media channels.

Podium: The award ceremony will take place five minutes after the last rider has completed their race run. The podium will be located in the finish arena.

Instant Pop Up Shelters are kindly supplied by Surf & Turf who are supporting the BDS with Instant Pop Up Shelters at every round. http://www.surfturf.co.uk/

Uplift Procedure: Pearce Cycles will provide 10x Land Rovers and Trailers to transport riders and bikes up the hill. Riders will be separated from their bikes. We will provide an uplift marshal at the pick up point. We aim to lift at least 200 riders per hour.

Race Timing: www.sportstimingsystems.co.uk the UK distributor for Tag Heuer. Results will be posted in the main arena on completion of each event and on line by Sunday 19:00. Wireless communications or a hard wire will be used. The riders will start from a covered area and will cross a laser beam to start the timing. The finish line will use laser beams again to capture the rider crossing the finish line. A large T.V screen will show the results live at the finish line. Live split timing will be provided. Provisional results from each category will be printed and displayed within five minutes of the category finishing. Overall results will be on line by 19:00 on Sunday evening.

Race Regulations: The event will run under BC Regulations and Penalties. Please make sure you aware of the additional BDS rules:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/british-downhill-series/bds-rules/10152472068615119

Protection: Juvenile and Youth are required to wear the following body armour: Full Spine, Elbow pads and Knee pads.

Refunds, Transfers and Cancellation of the Event: Refunds and Transfers:
If you wish to cancel a booking please note the following cancellation conditions:
29+ days notice: Entry fee minus a £15.00 administration charge per round cancelled. Refunds will be credited to your bank account. Please contact the Event Director stating which round you want to be withdrawn from and what category you are in. Also your bank account sort code and account number to si@pinkbike.com.
28 days or less, no refund.
Transfer requests with 29 days notice are applicable for any remaining events in the BDS series that year.
Transfer requests 28 days or less notice are not applicable.
Please note you can not swap your entry with another rider.
The race weekend starts from 16:00 on Friday (Course open for inspection) therefore the time scales above mean all e-mails must be received by our deadline which is 4 weeks before the 16:00 on the Friday of the race weekend.
The above policies are not dependant on circumstances and are final. Please email si@pinkbike.com please note we will not deal with any cancellations over the phone, by text or Facebook. Inform us of your full name, category racing and which rounds of the BDS we are dealing with.

Force Majeure: If the BDS is prevented (directly or indirectly) from performing any of its obligations under the entry agreement by reasons of act of God, strikes, trade disputes, breakdowns, government or political action, interruption of transport, acts of war or terrorism, acts of omissions by a third party for any other reasons whatsoever outside of the BDS control, then the BDS will be under no liability whatsoever to you and may as its option, cancel the event. If a BDS event is cancelled we will not be liable for costs of travel fares, hotels, or any other expenses that may be incurred.

It is your responsibility to ensure the race is going ahead before travelling. We will do our best to inform you if the race has to be cancelled but we do not accept liability if we are unable to contact you. We strongly advise that you check before making travel and accommodation arrangements.

If the event is cancelled we are unable to refund or part refund any entry fee, we are also unable to transfer your entry to another event.

Please follow the British Downhill Series on Facebook to ensure you are kept up to date.

Officials:
British Cycling Commissaires: Adrian Walls, Alastair Mackinlay, Chas Lamley, Paul Farley (Saturday only), Richard Robertshaw and Lucy (Sunday only) and Julie Fox.

Course Marshals: 20x marshals will be in place on course both Saturday and Sunday. Each marshal will be easily identifiable by wearing a high visibility vest. Marshals will also be supplied with a working two way radio, a whistle, a red and yellow flag and refreshments. We aim to ensure all our marshals are aged 21 or over and fit and able.

The marshal briefing will be carried out by the BDS Team and Chief Commissaire at 08:00 on the Saturday morning and then on Sunday morning at 07:30.

Insurance Document: British Cycling have issued the insurance document and this has been forwarded to all Commissaires and will be on display at race registration.

Course Map: Will be presented to the Commissaires, Medics and Head Marshal on the Friday evening of the event. The map will also be displayed at race registration.