The 2018 HSBC UK | National Cross Country Series heads north of the border this weekend with round three taking place in Peebles.
Glentress Forest hosts the action as two local riders will look for a home victory.
About the competition
The HSBC UK | National Cross Country Series is a five-round competition which takes place between April and August, with a rider’s best four scores from the series counting towards their overall total.
The series opened at Sherwood Pines, with the second round taking place at Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire.
After round three in Glentress Forest in Peebles this weekend, Phoenix Bike Park hosts round four in June in Suffolk.
The final round of the 2018 series takes place in Wales at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells.
Elite women
Isla Short has home advantage at this weekend’s round at Glentress Forest. The Habitat Mountain Bike Team rider lives in Peebles and is very familiar with the course.
Short won the opening round at Sherwood Pines but did not race at Dolby Forest in the aftermath of the Commonwealth Games - and knows a win could see her climb the standings.
Kerry MacPhee is the current leader, on 108 points after finishing third, and then second in the opening two rounds with second-placed Sophie Wright, also on 108 points, not set to compete.
Amy-Jo Hansford (Mud Sweat n Gears CC) will also take to the start line, looking to continue her excellent start to the series that sees her currently sat in third place in the standings.
Elite men
As with the women’s competition, the red-hot favourite is a local.
Grant Ferguson also lives in Peebles and the CST American Eagle rider will look to extend his early lead in the series.
Ferguson currently has 109 points after winning at Dalby Forest - 17 clear of his nearest rival Jason Bouttell.
Bouttell (KTM UK Factory MTB Team) will race at Glentress Forest, as will series regulars Phillip Pearce (Hope Factory Racing) and Giles Drake (Leisure Lakes bikes.com)
Schedule
Elite races take place on Sunday, with the women’s competition at 1pm and the men’s race at 3.15pm.
Races last approximately 90 minutes, with riders taking a mass start before negotiating a series of 15-minute laps. Courses are designed to be spectator friendly and events are free to watch.
How to follow
- Follow @BritishCycling on Twitter for race results.
- Report and gallery will appear on the British Cycling website.
