Titles are on the line in Scotland this weekend as the best downhill riders in the country compete at the HSBC UK | National Downhill Championships.
British riders have been in terrific form on the international circuit – but who will claim the right to be called national champion at Glencoe?
Elite women
Rachel Atherton could make it a stunning seventh successive national title this weekend.
The Trek Factory Racing DH rider is in good form, having recovered from the injuries that blighted her season in 2017.
Atherton won a world cup round in Leogang and has finished no lower than third this season – currently topping the standings.
Her chances of seven-in-a-row are boosted by the absence of Tahnee Seagrave, a three-time world cup round winner so far this season.
Her challenge will likely come from Katy Curd, Aston Tutt (Madison Saracen Development Team) and Megan Whyte (Team Creation Cycles).
Curd is currently 11th in the world cup standings but leads the HSBC UK | National Downhill Series after three rounds.
Elite men
Two British riders are currently in the top 10 standings of the 2018 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and will be confident of their chances of securing a national title this weekend.
Laurie Greenland has three top five finishes in a row and currently sits third overall – with former world champion Danny Hart (Madison Saracen Factory Team) two places behind him.
Defending champion Greg Williamson (UNNO Factory Racing) will hope to make it three-in-a-row while HSBC UK | National Downhill Series leader Adam Brayton (Hope Factory Racing) will be keen to continue his good domestic form.
Junior women
Runaway HSBC UK | National Downhill Series junior women’s leader Maya Atkinson (Female Riders Race Team) will take to the Glencoes course confident of securing the national title.
Rosy Monaghan (One Giant Leap), Tea Jensen (Leslie Bike Shop/Bikers Boutique), Phoebe Gale (KICC) and Charlotte Higgins (Progression Bikes Racing) complete the line up.
Junior men
Three British riders are currently in the top five of the junior men’s world cup standings.
Henry Kerr, Kade Edwards (Trek Factory Racing DH) and Jamie Edmondson (Transition/Muc-Off Factory Racing) are third, fourth and fifth respectively – with Kerr currently leading the HSBC UK | National Downhill Series junior men’s competition.
How to follow
- Watch live at Glencoe this weekend
- Race results on Twitter
- Report and images on the British Cycling website
