Essex County Council and British Cycling have confirmed that the first competition to take place at Hadleigh Farm following the London 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike competitions will be the British Cycling Youth Inter Regional Mountain Bike Championships.

Essex County Council, working with The Salvation Army, has teamed up with British Cycling to promote this exciting event, taking place from 5 - 7 October - the first cycling event to take place as part of the legacy following an incredible London 2012 Olympic Games.

The competition will see the top young riders from across the UK, all under the age of 16, come together to compete for their regions over three days. Young aspiring riders will compete in a skills competition as well as a massed start hill climb, dirt crit eliminator and cross country events.

2011 witnessed the inaugural MTB Inter Regional Championship when it was part of the UK School Games, and Hadleigh Farm will provide a fantastic, inspirational venue for the first stand alone event of its kind, and further develop young talent pathways to elite mountain biking in the UK.

Essex County Councillor Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for Education, Life Long Learning and the 2012 Games is proud to be hosting the youth event: “It is great to know that young British mountain bikers who have been watching Team GB’s cycling success at the London 2012 Games and the world’s best compete at Hadleigh Farm in Essex, will not only be inspired by the performances of the athletes they have seen, but also by knowing they could be the first to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike venue after the London 2012 Games have gone.”

Gary Coltman, manager of British Cycling's talent programme added: "The championship event is a very new event to our Youth competition programme. Having the opportunity to stage it at a venue that will very soon be regarded as one of the best mountain bike courses in the world, can only be fantastic for the young athletes, and firmly establish it as a major event on the youth calendar".

Essex County Council, in partnership with The Salvation Army, recently secured planning permission to retain and adapt the London 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike course for use by the public, as well as expand and enhance Hadleigh Country Park, providing opportunities for people to more fully access, enjoy and appreciate the area’s natural historic environment. The plans also include a Visitors Centre, Café, bike hire shop and network of multi user walking and cycling tracks.