Welcome to the second round of the 2023 Welsh Cycling Mountain Bike Cross Country Series #WelshMTBXC. Following the successful return of the series in 2022, we've gone all-out for 2023 and have five rounds within the Series featuring venues in the North, Mid and South of Wales. 

In order to qualify for a series prize you must complete 3/5 rounds.

With races for U6s through to Adults including Fun categories for beginners / novices, this promises to be a fantastic third round of the Welsh MTB XC Series 2023 on what was said to be one of the best courses we have had here in the Forest of Dean.

The Forest of Dean offers a real advantage to the technical rider as the event is mostly single-tracked with few opportunities to overtake and some technical descending. It promises to be a really exciting course, for those that tackled the course last year - Can you better your time on the King and Queen of the mountain section?

We've worked hard with the owners of Pedalabikeaway Centre here at Forest of Dean in the run-up to the event, and we've got a fantastic course set-up with plenty of variation that will challenge riders of all ability.

This event will also host the 2023 British Cycling Southern Region MTB XC Championships.  To be eligible for this title, riders must have 'South' listed as the region on their licence and entered in advance. Riders entering on the day will not be eligable for the title.

Info for Riders

This year there will be entry on the day but we would encourage you to pre enter. On the day entries will incur an extra charge and will not be gridded.

The closing date for entries will be 23:55 on June 14th.

Chip timing will be availiable for all Categories. In order to qualify for a Series prize you must compete 3/5 rounds.

We will be doing our best to keep to the timetable below (subject to change, Race durations will be confirmed by the commissaire on the day):

9.00 – 9.20 Practice for U6, U8, U10 and U12 only  

9.30 Race 1 U6 (10mins) 

9.45 Race 2 U8 (15mins)

10.00 Race 3 U10 (20mins)

10.30 Race 4 U12  (25mins) 

11.00 – 11.45 Practice for Juvenile, Youth, Women and Fun  

12.00 Race 5 Youth, Juvenile, Women and Fun  

• 12.00 Youth Male 
• 12.01 Juvenile Male  
• 12.02 Elite, Expert, Sport, Junior, Veteran, Youth, Juvenile and Fun Female
• 12.03 Fun Male  

13.30 – 14.15 Practice for Elite, Expert, Sport, Junior and Veteran Male  

14.30 Race 6 Elite, Expert, Sport, Junior and Veteran Male  

• 14.30 Elite, Expert, Sport and Junior Male 
• 14.31 Veteran Male 
• 14.32 Grand Veteran Male 
• 14.33 Super Veteran Male 

The Welsh MTB XC series will include a skills challenge for Under 12s. All riders will get the opportunity for coach-led skills practice on the skills area, followed by one timed attempt.  

Coach-led skills practice

Here are the new times for the U12 skills challenge:

Time

Skills Challenge

10:00 – 10:30

U6s

10:30 – 11:00

U8s

11:00 – 11:45

U10s

11:45 – 12:30

U12s

Kids presentation – 12:30