All of the venues for the Giant NRS XC National Points Series have now been finalized. And the organisers are working to make the NPS more of a weekend event with broader appeal than in recent years. Entry fees now include camping on Friday night (although there’s still a charge for Saturday…), Saturday sees marshaled practice and under-12s racing followed by beer and music on Saturday night. And then of course Sunday is the main event, with a full programme of races across all categories.

There’ll be five rounds this year, starting at Thetford Forest in Suffolk (12/13 April), then Catton Hall near Lichfield (17/18 May) before heading to two venues that aren’t new to racing but are new to the NPS – Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries (14/15 June) and Sherwood Pines near Mansfield (30/31 August). The grand finale is at Checkendon, Reading (13/14 September).

Along with main sponsors Giant, the NPS is supported by British Cycling, Scott, Hope. Mountain Biking UK, Impsport, Fox, Halfords Bikehut and Kona. You can download an entry form here or contact NPS Central Entries by email or post: Alex McNichol, 1 Back View, Kinglsey, Staffs, ST10 2AH.