Pickering To Host Dalby World Cup Opening Night
| Event Dates: 23-25 April 2010
On Friday 23 April in Pickering town centre, British Cycling and its partners will host the opening of the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup weekend with an evening of racing and free entertainment in the heart of North Yorkshire.
The evening will start at 6pm with the Pro Sprint Eliminator, an exciting race format combining the gladiatorial excitement of 4-cross racing with the all round skills of cross-country, in an urban setting that will bring the sport of mountain biking closer than ever to the general public.
Pro Sprint Eliminator: The Format
The action starts with a time trial round, from which the quickest 32 men and 16 women go forward to the eliminator phase. There they will race off in groups of four, with the top two finishers going through as the riders battle to qualify for the final, where a big cash prize awaits the overall winner.
Some of Yorkshire's household names will also be braving the course in a special ‘celebrity' race before the final round of the Pro Sprint Eliminator.
Pro Sprint Eliminator: The Course
The carefully designed course is guaranteed to cause a buzz amongst the crowds. The 1 kilometre circuit will test riders to the limit and pose a number of challenging obstacles as they fly through a resident's back garden, over a set of steep steps and flowerbeds whilst manoeuvring their way in between lampposts. Riders will also enjoy a moment of quiet on route as they pass through Pickering cemetery.
Opening Ceremony & Evening Entertainment
After the excitement of the pro and celebrity racing, there will be an opening ceremony for the Dalby UCI Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup, followed by an evening of festive activities including Morris dancers, a brass band and face painting for children. Pickering bars and restaurants will stay open late into the night to celebrate the arrival of the World Cup.
Steve Peat, a Yorkshire legend and 2009 Downhill Mountain Bike World Champion, said: "I can't wait for the Dalby World Cup weekend. It's great to have some of the world's best cross-country guys race on my doorstep and the Pro Sprint Eliminator is a fantastic warm up for spectators and riders ahead of the elite racing on Sunday."
British Cycling's Cycle Sport and Membership Director, Jonny Clay, said; "Cross-Country Mountain Biking is a thrilling sport and the Pro Sprint Eliminator will really show off the riders skills to spectators in an atmosphere of fun and celebration in the spirit of the whole Dalby weekend."
British Cycling is working in close partnership with UK Sport, Welcome to Yorkshire, Yorkshire Forward and the Forestry Commission, with the support of a number of local partners including Ryedale District Council and North Yorkshire County Council, to deliver the 2010 UCI Dalby Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup.
More Information On the World Cup Weekend
- Why not visit our dedicated website for the event: Dalby World Cup Home Page
- Do you dare? Ride the World Cup Course & pick up a free weekend pass when you enter the Dalby Dare
- Buy tickets for the World Cup weekend and join thousands of other spectators: Tickets
