Elite Mountain Bikers Head For Yorkshire

Local mountain bikers will be pitting their skills against the world's elite as the UCI Cross Country Mountain Bike Championship returns to Dalby Forest. The top event is being staged in the 3,440 hectare beauty spot, near Pickering, on the weekend of 21/22 May, with a road race through Pickering on Friday (20 May, 5pm) raising the curtain on thrilling hgh speed action. Last year Dalby got top marks from the UCI – cycling's governing body - and from racing teams who rated it as the top World Cup venue on the international circuit. Nearly 11,000 fans watched the fabulous action unfold and this time round another bumper gate is predicted. "The weekend will be one of the biggest mountain bike events in Britain before the London Olympics with many riders pushing for qualification points to compete in next year's Games" said Alan Eves, Forest Management Director. Amateur bike fans are also signing up to complete a timed lap of the black rated World Cup course on the Saturday (21 May) as part of the famed citizen's ride - the Dalby Dare. Amongst them is James Risker, 27, who said: "The course is pretty tough to say the least, but what a fantastic opportunity to use the same trail as the world’s elite and compare a lap time.  It's a bit like playing on the Wembley pitch before the FA Cup Final." A giant tented village will be the centrepiece of Dalby's World Cup weekend with trade and exhibition space sold out. Engineers have also made tweaks to the World Cup course, explained the Forestry Commission's Martin O'Vastar. "The length has been shortened and the aptly named Worry Gill, which forced many bikers to dismount and run with their bikes, has been made slightly easier so more riders can stay in the saddle. It's still a tough ask, but this is the sport’s pinnacle." The Forestry Commission at Dalby has also been advising the designers of the Olympic cross country mountain bike course being built in Essex. That event will replace the Dalby World Cup round next year, but top racing is expected to return to North Yorkshire in 2013. Tickets to take part in the Dalby Dare, which includes a weekend spectator pass, are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk priced £33.50. Spectator tickets are also available from the same internet outlet, costing from £5 to £52, including discounts for buying in advance. They will also be available on the gate.

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