The Nissan Qashqai Challenge series gets underway this weekend in Milan, with 500 cubic metres of top-quality dirt currently being massaged into shape at the Parco Sempione. The Qashqai series involves different riding disciplines at different events, and Milan kicks off proceedings with dirt jumping.

40 riders from 13 countries – ranging from Puerto Rico to Slovenia – are about to give their best on the specially-constructed dirt trails. They’ll encounter some pretty sizable jumps, with a 6m high roll-in allowing the riders to build enough speed to tackle the 100m long line consisting of four monster doubles. The first in line features a 7m gap, and that’s the one that should see the biggest moves.

There are five UK riders taking part – Lance McDermott, Mike Smith, Ricky Crompton, Sam Pilgrim and Sam Reynolds. We’ll let you know how they got on next week…