Team GT Bicycles riders Mick Hannah, Marc Beaumont and Dave Wardell have confirmed they’ll be riding in the Mountain Biking UK Eliminator dual slalom race at BikeRadar Live.
After a great start to the 2009 race season, finishing second in South Africa and third in last weekend’s Mountain Bike World Cup race in La Bresse, France, Hannah is gunning for a podium finish.
Former Team BikeRadar rider Marc Beaumont will also be heading to Donington Park to race alongside the likes of Chris Kovarik, Nathan Rennie and Josh Bryceland in his first season riding for GT.
Beaumont said: “I’m really looking forward to Bikeradar Live! From what I’ve been hearing from Will [Longden] it should be pretty cool.
“I am really excited to be racing the MBUK Eliminator Dual Slalom. Slalom races are always fun and with big crowds at a great venue, it should make for a mega weekend of racing.”
Junior world championship silver medallist and former Team MBUK rider Dave ‘Bullhead’ Wardell has been instrumental in the construction of the BikeRadar Live dual slalom course, using his many years of racing to craft a track suitable for the best riders in the world – and he’s itching to hammer the opposition on race day.
The pro dual slalom on Saturday 30 May is by invitation only, and will test even the most experienced riders.
Qualifying for the knockout rounds will be done against the clock. Then it’s head-to-head for the fastest 62 riders until the last 32 remain to ride in the floodlit final on Saturday night
Prizes for first, second and third are a share of a £5,000 cash prize. The winner will be crowned as the MBUK dual slalom pro champion and will receive a huge trophy.
There’s also an open dual slalom on Sunday 31 May, which is is open to anyone over 16 who thinks they have the skills to compete.
The winner will be crowned MBUK dual slalom open champion, will be featured in the magazine and win a free pass into the pro dual slalom at the 2010 show. The second and third placed riders will win trophies.
About BikeRadar Live
BikeRadar Live is the biggest ever mass-participation cycling event to hit the UK, and will take place on the weekend of 30–31 May 2009 at Donington Park in Leicestershire.
The weekend will be packed full of races and challenges, with something for everyone, whether you want to compete, watch your friends and family or just check out some of the world’s best riders.
Entry into any of the events gives you full access to the festival’s many attractions including spectacular all-weather stunt displays, invitational dirt jump and dual slalom comps, a cycling film festival, live big top entertainment and the Scott Sunset DJ Sessions. Test yourself against pro and celebrity riders in the Procycling Hot Laps, post a time in the Wattbike comp or take the kids along to the CycleActive skills school. A purpose-built bikes and accessories expo will give festival-goers the chance to ride the latest bikes from leading brands and grab show-only deals on bikes and accessories.
Events include the Cycling Plus Sportive supported by Pacific Outdoor Equipment (100km & 100 mile), MBUK night-time enduros (12hr & 4hr), MBUK Eliminator dual-slalom and the Devil Takes the Hindmost circuit race. Click here to sign up.
BikeRadar Live’s world-class facilities include on-site camping with a kids and family area, secure bike lock-up, showers, bike wash, workshop, picnic area, medical centre, viewing stands and food and drink market.
year’s UCI Mountain Bike World Cup round in Fort William, Scotland.
A record number of mountain bikers have applied to take part in the UK’s Mountain Mayhem 24-hour race. More than 3,125 people sent in entry forms – the biggest response in the event’s history. With places limited to 2,500 riders, hundreds had to be turned away.