WMBS Round 4 and Welsh XC Champs Preview

Course Preview: With riders competing for the race win, overall series placings and the right to call themselves Welsh Champion for a year, the course needed to be tough and it is! We are using some of the same sections as last year's champs at the same venue (Fforest Fields campsite near Builth Wells) but have taken a different route up the big hill and added in another descent. Starting on a well-surfaced, gravelled road in the campsite, riders will start the first of the climbs almost straight away before turning across the hill for a shorter flat section. Turning again, the riders head down the hill, through a new, singletrack section and back into the arena. After a short loop around one side of the arena, the course then heads back out and starts the second main climb-this one is a real killer! Starting off on gravelled road, it briefly turns into a short but tough singletrack section before re-joining the double track for the rest of the climb. There are short rest periods as the climb flattens out but the steeper sections are tough. Once at the top of the climb, riders re-join last year's route as it winds through the trees along the top of the ridge overlooking the campsite. After several rooty, twisty cambered sections, the riders descend on fast dual-track before a sharp turn at the bottom of the hill takes them back into singletrack and more roots. A short final loop including a stream crossing, some gravelled road and more singletrack brings riders back into the arena and the finish. If the weather stays dry like last year, it will be a fast course with plenty of chances to make a mistake but if the rain comes it could be a totally different course!

Advance entries for the race have now closed (Click here for a list of riders who have entered). There are still entries on the day available for all categories but if you want to compete for one of the Welsh Championship Titles on offer you need to have entered in advance. Overall series titles are still up for grabs in most categories and race prizes are still available for all riders including those who have entered on the day so why not come and have a go.

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