CRC Downhill NPS Round 2 13th - 14th May

After a weatherfull start to the season the Chain Reaction Cycles NPS- the official British Cycling National Downhill Series moves north of the border to the proven venue of Innerleithen for round 2.

The racing takes place over the weekend of May 13th/14th with Elites and Experts getting a look at the track for their own uplift session on the afternoon of May 12th.

The new Forestry Commission uplift guidelines have occupied much of the organiser's times recently and we have carefully observed other events on FC land during the last few weeks. NACC Events and The Hub feel that the only way to run successfully under the new rules is to have more vehicles. So that's what we have! A total of eight uplift trucks have been ordered, half to take bikes, half for riders. An uplift supervisor at the loading point will direct operations and with the co-operation of the riders we are confident that this problem has been cracked!

A new finish has been designed which will bring competitors right into the middle of the trade arena, amongst all the top teams.

The best Extreme Events medical cover around "Extreme Medics" are booked and will be on site all weekend.

The Chain Reaction/Cloud Cover hot seat will be in place all weekend for competitors to bask in the glory.

The Balfa 100/200/300 Challenge also comes along with us, the 100th 200th and 300th places riders take away some super goodies donated by that nice Jamie @ Balfa, and don't forget the 100th 200th and 300th placed riders at the end of the season win Balfa frames!

We will have some more of those superb Engraved Glass Chain Reaction Trophies for every podium place, as well as a bottle of the best bike cleaner around "PINK"

Every class leader at the end of the round will be back onto the podium for a unique "Chain Reaction Series Leader" T Shirt.

The Chain Reaction Grand; rolls onto round 2. In this competition, series sponsors Chain Reaction Cycles, Europe's largest online Bike store have put up a £1000 cash prize to be shared between any riders winning their category at all five rounds of the Chain Reaction NPS.

Those inline to win it after round 1 are: Gee Atherton, Helen Gaskell, Rob Breakwell, Joe Barnes, William Hewitt, Aidan Bishop, Philip Roberts, Joseph Smith. With the first two on the list contacted to race in Lisbon downtown the same weekend that leaves only 6 riders still standing!

The other £1000 donated to the prize pot by Chain Reaction is for the overall Series winner, with the leader from round one Gee Atherton not coming out to play rookie Elite Matt Simmonds is now in pole position on this one.

With the first round dogged by terrible weather; gales, hale, snow, sleet and torrential rain the weather must be kind to us this time!!! This is an event not to miss.

Further details of the race are available at www.npsdownhill.co.uk. Spectators are welcome.

Entries are still available either by downloading a form from the NPS website or online at www.justridingalong.com