British Downhill Series 2016 – Moelfre Preview
We’re off to Moelfre this weekend for the next stop on the British Downhill Series Calendar and the British 4x National Champs. Everything you need to know right here
The weekend starts on Saturday with a full days practice for the BDS – British Cycling’s National Downhill Mountain Bike Series quickly followed on the evening with the action packed British Cycling’s 4x National Championships.
Sunday’s schedule is practice for the BDS in the morning with seeding and then final race runs in the afternoon.
The downhill track at Moelfre is one of the most stunning location wise and unique tracks in the country. Moelfre was originally made famous back in 1995 as it was the set for the film ‘The Englishman who went up a hill but came down a mountain’ starring Hugh Grant. If you visit the venue, you will see high above the switchback section a large mound of dirt several meters high that was constructed especially for the film.
moelfre bds final video from Ride.io on Vimeo.
At 2km long and with only two trees on the entire course, the track is a high speed affair. Originally designed and dug out by Dan Atherton and raced in 2003 for the NPS – National Points Series (The forerunner to the BDS). The top section straight out of the start line is flat out with riders unable to spin any faster and often opting to the preferred tuck position. That section is a real test to see who has the most bottle to hold on and stay off the brakes in the wide open corners. The tight and rocky switchback corners follow and they will test the riders technical skill levels and puncture avoidance systems. The middle section straight traverses around the hill before riders attack the end of the 4x track and dial their jumping skills in what will be the best spectator area for the event. Riders then shoot into the long finish arena at Mach 5 before crossing the line in under 2mins 30secs if they want to beat last years winner, Madison Saracens Matt Simmonds.
Location: The event will be well signposted.
Farmer Jaq’s
Moelfre Hall
Moelfre
SY10 7QJ
Just 15 minutes West of Oswestry near Llansilin.
Ride.io Team Bar Cam – Moelfre British Downhill Series from Ride.io on Vimeo.
The Course: Moelfre is a natural and fast rolling course that is open to the elements with only one tree at the bottom to avoid! The switchbacks will be in the course along with the fast rolling middle section that runs parallel to the road. The end of the 4x track will again be utilised.
Start Line Grid Reference: SJ 18367 29407
Finish Line Grid Reference: SJ 18991 28397
Length – 2.32km
Start altitude – 499 m
Finish altitude – 221 m
Vertical descent – 278 m
Fastest time – 2:25 minutes
Course rating (1-5 with 5 being very technical): Rating 3.
BDS Schedule:
Saturday
09:30 Open practice for all Juvenile Men, Youth Men, Senior Men, Master Men, Veteran Men, Grand Veteran Men, Junior Men and Women.
10:30 Open practice for all.
17:00 Course open for Expert Men, Elite Men and Elite Women Only.
18:00 Course Closed.
Sunday
08:30 Open Practice for all.
10:45 to 11:00 Elite Men’s Practice only.
11:15 Seeding Run followed by one timed Race Run.
17:30 Podium for top five in each category.
4x RACE SCHEDULE
Friday:
18:00 to 21:00 Practice full track. Gate practice
Saturday:
14:00 to 16:00 Open Practice.
17:30 to 17.45 Qualifications Senior Men & Women.
18:00 to 19:30 3 Motos Rippers, Juvenile, Youth, Junior, Master, Vets, Grand Vets & Women.
19:45 Semi finals and finals for all categories.
20:15 Finals All.
20:30 Podiums.
British Cycling’s 4x National Championships will be on a newly revised track, built and designed by Mark Sleigh BMX track builder. Mark is an integral part of the BDS course team and recently re-shaped the motorway jumps at Fort William for the BDS event prior to the World Cup as well as rebuilding all the jumps at Rhyd-Y-Felin. Expect multiple lines and options to tackle the features Mark has laid out on the new national standard course.
In the Senior Men’s category, last years National Champion and two times BMX World Champion Scott Beaumont will look to be taking the win again. The beauty of 4x is that anything can happen and the stacked Elite field will offer excitement and a few surprises. Keep an eye on Madison Saracens Will Longden as well as Martin Ogden, two legends of the sport who could both put in the upset of the night.
Practice will be on Friday evening allowing the riders ample practice to dial the track in. Saturday will see practice in the afternoon followed by seeding and Moto’s. Quickly followed by the finals and then straight to presentations.
Race Categories and running order for both seeding and race run. Race numbers shown in brackets:
Juvenile Men – DMR 13-14 years (900-925)
Youth Men – Super Alloy Springs 15-16 years (800-899)
Grand Veteran Men – Kore 50 and over (780-799)
Veteran Men – Dainese 40-49 years (700-774)
Master Men – NS Bikes 30-39 years (600-699)
Junior Women – Rachel Atherton 13-18 years (130-149)
Women – Uberbike 13 and over (160-199)
Junior Men – Spank 17-18 years (500-599)
Senior Men – PRO Tharsis 19-29 years (300-399)
Expert Men – X-Fusion 19 and over (200-299)
Elite Women – Schwalbe Tires 19 and over (100-125)
Elite Men – 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
