This weekend the British Mountain Bike Series (supported by Freerange Optics and Trek Bikes) kicks off at Thetford, and with a real international flavour! Riders from Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Ireland and South Africa are all making the trip for Saturday’s UCI Elite race where the UK’s best will be hoping to get off to a great start against some stiff competition.

2006 Champ and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Oli Beckingsale (Giant) will be hoping for a win after an encouraging performance at the SwissPower Cup last week where he finished sixth against the likes of World and Olympic Champion Julien Absalon, under 23 World Champion Nino Schurter and top Swede Freddie Kessiakoff.

There’ll be plenty of competition for Oli though and expect racing to be extremely close on the flat course. Riders to watch include South African Champion Burry Stander (GT), Irish Champion Robin Seymour (Singletrack/Pipedream) and the regulars of Ian Wilkinson, Nick Craig, Ian Field, Ian Bibby and Adi Lansley.

The Elite women’s race is also set to go off, with three girls from the Southern Hemisphere taking on the ‘natives.’ Kate Potter (Cotic/Bontrager) has shown some exceptional promise in her season of racing down under, taking a win in the Aussie National Series, while Jenn O’Connor (Patterson Training) also had Marathon success in New Zealand. The ones to really keep your eyes on however will be the trio of Amy Hunt (Trek/VW), Jenny Copnall (Gary Fisher Subaru) and New Zealander Rosara Joseph.

On paper, Joseph starts as the hot favourite with a sliver medal in the Commonwealth Games to her name and a top ten in the 2006 World Cup. However, 2006 National Champ of everything Jenny Copnall will have the home advantage and a whole load of motivation to prove herself against true competition. Amy Hunt is undoubtedly the outsider, the under 23 rider from Bolton with racing in her blood and showing great potential.

These races start at noon on Saturday, so roll up to see some great action!

As always there will be support races and these are looking just as good for entertainment. The Masters (30-40) have at least ten riders gunning for the win, while the Junior (16-18) race is also set perfectly with Alex Paton, Will Verney, Billy Whenman, Shaun Hurrell, Matt Hill and Jake Moxham all in the mix.

If you are a little more realistic about your goals this year however (or just aren’t into leg shaving) then there has never been such a great excuse to ride. This year sees racing for 7-70 year olds, so there is guaranteed to be a category for everyone. Under-12s racing is free, too so make sure you bring along the kids to give them a taste of how great a life lived on two wheels is.

Sunday sees the Marathon event where some of the pros will be warming down from the previous day’s exertions alongside the social racers who make the event as big as it is. The top distance is 100km where Nick Craig will be the man to beat, however for the less naturally talented there is always the option of the 25km and 50km to challenge your fitness.

All details and entry forms can be found on www.xcracer.com, spectators are free and entry to all races is available on the day.