Dual Racing comes to the Streets of Sheffield

The most exciting form of mountain bike racing comes to the streets of Sheffield to celebrate the Outdoor City Weekender.

This Dual slalom race will be a spectacular event showcasing the excitement of head to head mountain bike racing through the streets of Sheffield. The riders will be racing a unique city centre course down Howard street across the front of Sheffield Hallam's main building and finishing by the Showroom and Howard pub. Made possible by Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Hallam University the depth of riding talent will bring gasps from on lookers with nail biting finishes and elbow to elbow racing.

The city has a long history of mountain biking and specifically dual; from the long running This is Sheffield mate’s race series to the legendary Iron Justice races. Like slalom ski racing, riders negotiate a series of gates pitting themselves against each other and the clock in a head to head knock out format. The course has a stack of great features sendable by the best and rollable by all. It mixes man made constructions with street furniture, flat grass corners and custom wooden features to provide thrilling parallel racing. Filling the wide gap in Sheffield’s race calendar the best racers will go from fist bumps to victory in front of the assembled crowds. The cream of Sheffield’s mountain bike industry will also be represented on the day with stands to peruse and bikes to try.

On Saturday 18th March racing will commence at 3pm, with the course open for practice and seeding from midday and finals beginning at 5pm. Fully insured by British Cycling entry will be £10 and will be by invitation and through the BC entry system opening on Friday the 3rd March. Places are very limited with 32 lads and 16 lasses places up for grabs. As well as an entry fee, in true This is Sheffield tradition, every racer must also bring a random prize for the pot. These will be added to the prize pile alongside contributions from our kind sponsors and the fastest of the day will pick first. All details will be on www.ThisISheffield.co.uk, racers will need a full face helmet with gloves and body armour highly recommended.

It will be a great time to be in Sheffield with so much going on for the Outdoor City weekender; from the Sheffield adventure film festival, to the Magnificent 7 road anti-enduro and the Climbing works international festival. The race will be great take part in and just as exciting to watch, dual racing is both spectacular and easy to follow. With cow bells and noise makers lining the track the racers will be cheered from top to bottom making it great fun for the whole family and the best hecklers in town.

More information: www.ThisISheffield.co.uk