Preview: 4X National Champs this Saturday Night at BDS

On Saturday 11th July, the 2015 Schwalbe 4X National Championships will take place at Moelfre, North Wales. The event looks set to be an awesome weekend - running alongside round 5 of the 2015 British Downhill Series which will also be taking place through the weekend.

Entries are now open for 24 hours. Click here to enter.

On the domestic calendar, this is the big one. The single race that entitles the winners to be written in history. The race that allows the champions to wear the Union Jack flag on their jersey sleeve and be called National Champion.

Riders aged between 12 and 65 will be battling in their respective categories to see who will be crowned National Champion. The races that everyone will want to see though are the senior male and female categories.

In 2015, several British riders have been flying on the domestic circuit. Lewis Lacey, Duncan Ferris, Nathan Parsons, Dave Richardson, Alex Metcalfe and Luke Cryer have all been in great form in the Elite men's class. Lacey had a huge crash at the last round of British 4X Series at Redhill 2 weeks ago. Fingers crossed he will be fully healed and ready for action this weekend. Ferris is the man in form with two national wins already in 2015 so the momentum will be with him, although Parsons will feel that mistakes so far have held him back.

There is a name we haven't mentioned though. Scott Beaumont has had an extremely tough season and has so far not raced in the UK series. A separated shoulder earlier in the year and 2 prolapse discs in his back more recently, have left Boom Boom on the sidelines for the majority of the season. The 2 events he has done will set him in good form for the National Championships though. 2 second places in 2 rounds of 4X ProTour so far this year leaves the current National Champion leading the overall 4X ProTour points. Without doubt Beaumont will be looking to retain the 4X National Championship title. Only time will see how his injuries hold up.

In the Elite women's, Natasha Bradley has been a revelation all year, winning not only British 4X events but also the 4X ProTour event at Fort William a few weeks ago. Domestically, she has been pushed by Heather Kay, Tyde D'Souza and Megan Wherry throughout the year. Last year's National Champion Liz Fowler has had some injury problems so far this year, but will surely go into the event as the one of the favourites to retain the crown. With the elite women's racing always throwing up some surprises, this is the race you definitely want to see.

The Track

Earlier in the year, British 4X Series organiser Chris Roberts met up with British Downhill Series organiser Simon Paton in a field at the bottom of the famous Moelfre venue. They decided that the time was right to combine 4X and DH once again here in the UK and so the plan was hatched for this festival event.

Chris Roberts also wanted to use this venue for the National Championships as the track is much more natural than the majority of UK 4X tracks. Off camber corners, rough ground and natural jumps will be the challenge for the UK's best 4X riders when they arrive in Moelfre....

Timetable

Friday 10th July

6.00pm to 8:00pm Registration
7.00pm to 9:00pm Practice

Saturday 11th July 2015

1.00pm Registration
2.00pm Open Practice 4.00pm Gate Practice (numbers 250+)
4.30pm Gate Practice (numbers 1 to 249)
5.00pm Practice Full Track
5.35pm Qualifications Senior Men & Women
6.00pm 3 Motos Rippers, Juvenile, Youth, Junior, Master, Vets & Women
7.45pm Semi finals and finals for all categories
8.15pm Finals All
9.15pm Podiums

Directions

Moelfre Hall, Moelfre, SY10 7QJ

Just 15minutes West of Oswestry near Llansilin.

Careful to choose the correct Moelfre, there are a few in Wales, the one you want is located near Oswestry. We advise you to input Llansilin in your SatNav.

The venue will be well sign posted.

Camping

£5.00 per pitch is payable by everyone who is staying overnight. Camping will be available onsite in the large grassed field. You must leave site by 19:00 on Sunday 12th July.

Security

Will be onsite both Friday and Saturday night of the event. You are advised to lock away all of your possessions. Office/Rider Registration area for displaying information regarding the event.

Catering

Onsite Catering providing fresh hot and cold food and refreshments from:

Friday 18:00 to 21:00
Saturday 07:00 to 21:00
Sunday 07:00 to 18:00

Toilets

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

For more information on the Schwalbe British 4X Series, visit: www.british4x.com