2018 British Cycling HSBC UK National Downhill Championships, Glencoe.
18 July 2018 | By Noxy
Photos by Ian Lean.The British Cycling HSBC UK National Downhill Championships will take place this weekend at Glencoe, Scotland on July 21st and 22nd.
Organised by the Scottish Downhill Association and with the support of Schwalbe Tyres, the race promises to be a showdown between the UK’s fastest downhill mountain bike racers with a chance to take home the coveted National Championship title.
Whilst the British National Series title is won by accumulating points over several races, the Champs race is a one-off, single event where racers get just one race run to take home the National Champion title in their category.
Alongside the kudos of being crowned National Champion, winners earn the right to wear the National Champs jersey for the following year.
Defending elite National Champions Rachel Atherton and Greg Williamson will both appear at Glencoe this weekend and face stiff competition. The men’s Elite field is particularly strong with over 50 of the UK’s fastest signed up, including World Champion Danny Hart, World number 8 Laurie Greenland and previous National Series Champion Charlie Hatton.
Championship titles can be won by riders in the following categories - men and women’s Senior Championships, men and women’s Junior, men and women’s Juvenile, men and women’s Youth and Masters, Veterans and Grand Veterans.
Prize money is also available for the men’s and women’s Elite and Junior categories, with equal prize money for both men and women.
The track and the venue The track is a true one-off in British racing, hosted by Glencoe Mountain Resort and sat deep in the Rannoch Moor area of outstanding natural beauty with stunning views all around. It is one of the UK’s most technical downhill tracks and is fast, rocky, rough and open for its duration.
The race track will be taped out from Friday 20th July and available for riders to walk the course, with official practice all day on Saturday and Sunday morning.
Spectators are welcome As with all British National events, spectators are welcome. The Glencoe Mountain Resort cafe will be open and serving freshly prepared food and drink from local suppliers to keep spectators and racers fuelled up.
Sold-out Field Entries are now closed for the race and are not available in advance or on the day.
Photos by Ian Lean.Event schedule
FRIDAY 20 JULY
- 09:00 22:00 Venue open
- 09:15 15:00 Chairlift open with bike access
- 15:00 17:30 Commissaire course walk / inspection
- 16:00 Course open for on-foot inspection
- 15:00 20:00 Registration office open
- 22.00 Venue and café closes
SATURDAY 21 JULY
- 07:00 Venue open. Course open for on-foot inspection
- 07:30 11:30 Café / Registration office open
- 07:30 Marshal, media, commissaire, organiser, first aid, chief marshal briefing
- 08:30 1st Chairlift – Marshals and Medics
- 09:15 1st Chairlift – Riders
- 09:30 Training – all categories EXCLUDING Elite / Expert
- 10:30 Training – all categories
- 15:00 Full runs only DHI
- 17:00 Training – Expert / Elite and top 5 ranked Juniors
- 17:30 Last gondola
- 18:00 DH Course closed
- 18:15 Riders / Managers meeting
- 18:30 Course open for on-foot inspection
- 23:00 Café / Venue closed
SUNDAY 22 JULY
- 07:30 Café/ Venue open
- 08:00 Marshal, media, commissaire, organiser, first aid, chief marshal briefing
- 08:15 1st chairlift
- 08:45 Training – All categories, full runs only
- 10:45 11:00 Training – ELITE only
- 11:15 Seeding runs
- 14:30 Race runs
- 17:45 Presentation – top 3 each class
- 19:00 Venue closed and cleared.
The venue:
The race is being held at:
Glencoe Mountain
White Corries Ski Centre,
Kingshouse,
Glencoe.
PH49 4HZ
By Car: The postcode for Glencoe Mountain Resort is PH49 4HZ.
By Air: Glasgow and Edinburgh both offer frequent UK and international connections.
By Rail: Fort William train station offers daily connections to and from Glasgow.
For more information on the event you can visit British Cycling’s website here:
You can visit the Scottish Downhill Association website here:
