British Cycling confirms dates and venues for 2018 British National Downhill Series

BIG news for British downhill racing as British Cycling have just made the official announcement for the 2018 National Downhill Series.

This year’s series will be delivered by three separate organisers, following a successful tender process which began in September.

Two rounds of the series - at Fort William (round 1) and Rhyd-Y-Felin (round 4) - have been awarded UCI category 1 status, putting them on the international downhill calendar and offering riders the opportunity to gain UCI points.

The 2017 HSBC UK | National Downhill Series saw Charlie Hatton claim the elite men’s title, while Tahnee Seagrave, who won her first ever UCI MTB World Cup event in Leogang in June, topped the elite women’s standings.

Speaking about the 2018 series, Seagrave said: “I get to the HSBC UK National Downhill Series and have the same level of competition that I do at world cup level.

“It's great to constantly be pushed while having a real family-like atmosphere, and it's awesome to be involved in something that evolves youngsters and brings people together.”

Jonathan Day, British Cycling’s head of sport, said: “We’re delighted to announce the dates for the 2018 HSBC UK | National Downhill Series after a fantastic series in 2017, and it’s great that we’re able to bring the HSBC UK | National Downhill Championships to Glencoe for the first time.

“It’s also incredibly exciting that the events in Fort William and Rhyd-Y-Felin have been awarded UCI C1 status, which will enable us to attract even more world-class riders to the series.”

2018 British National Downhill Series dates and venues:

1. Cwm Carn 7th - 8th April
2. Fort William 12th - 13th May (Cat 1 UCI race)
3. Rheola 30th June - 1st July
4. Rhyd y Felin 11th - 12th August (Cat 1 UCI race)
5. Bringewood 22nd - 23rd September

National Champs will be at Glencoe on the 21st 22nd July.