Welsh Cycling are pleased to announce the Dirt Crits for Summer 2017. Supported by clubs in Wales, Dirt Crits will be a series of three mountain bike cross country events for Under 8s through to Under 16s, culminating in the final at the Royal Welsh Showground in September 2017.
Dirt Crits will have a coached session on the course, followed by a race. Riders will then face the skills challenge, where they will be coached through the course giving them the fundamental core mountain bike skills to become a better racer.
Anthony O’Boyle, Assistant Coach at Welsh Cycling said: “We need to develop our youth riders to become more skilful mountain bikers and introduce them to a new style of racing. Dirt Crits are inspired by the Swiss model, where to get a skilful, large pool of riders, you need to shape the racing format but still make it fun and progressive.
Having Welsh Cycling clubs support the series means the club coaches can take the skills and knowledge home with them, and practice within their own club sessions.”
Youth riders will benefit from being coached through the racing circuit, before taking part in the race on the same circuit. They will be taught how to race on technical terrain, including climbs, descents and off-camber sections. The skills element will enable riders to tackle bigger challenges in a controlled environment without pressure to perform. This will give them the fundamental skills to carry forward to the Welsh Cycling Mountain Bike Cross Country Series and step up to the HSBC UK National Mountain Bike Cross Country Series.
Dirt Crits Series 2017
Dirt Crit 1 Cwrt y Gollen, Crickhowell
Hosted by Filthy Cycling and Abergavenny RC
Saturday 24 June 2017
There will be two courses, one for Under 8s – Under 12s and another for Under 14s – Under 16s. Expect tight and twisty trails and fast flowing single tracks, with lung busting climbs. Lots of spectator points for friends and family too.
Dirt Crit 2 Nant BH, Conwy
Hosted by Clwb Beicio Mynydd Dyffryn Conwy and Dreigiau Coed y Brenin Dragons
Saturday 8 July 2017
The course will be good for all-weather conditions. Expect challenging A lines and B lines with technical elements, fast climbs and fast, flowing descents
Dirt Crit 3 Barry Sidings Country Park, Rhondda Cynon Taf
Hosted by The Bike Doctor
Saturday 15 July 2017
There will be two courses, one for Under 8s – Under 12s and another for Under 14s – Under 16s. Both will include smooth, flowing sections of single track with optional A and B lines. Expect tough and challenging climb with rewarding descents. There is also an onsite café, run by The Bike Doctor, for friends and family to refresh and enjoy the racing and there will be support on the day from other local cycling clubs.
All Dirt Crits will include a skills course to be completed after racing, where you will be coached through by Welsh Cycling coaches.
The Dirt Crit Series Final will take place on Saurday 16 September at the Royal Welsh Showground, with support from The Bulls. The final will allow riders to put their skills to the test against the clock and their peers. This will be followed by the final race on the Dirt Crit circuit with a festival theme to the day. Camping will also be available direct with the Royal Welsh Showground.
Entries for the final will open in June.
