Cannondale Factory Racing Team rider and reigning Marathon World Champion, Roel Paulissen, has confirmed that he will be racing at the Big Welsh Weekend at Margam Park on May 30/31.

Event Organiser Martyn Salt is ecstatic to have such a big name at the event. “We have been working on this ever since the Earls Court Cycle Show, after speaking to Cannondale about getting Roel on board. The recent confirmation is really amazing news.”

The format of the Marathon means everyone taking part will be on course with the Marathon World Champion at some point, and therefore able to compare times over the same course and in the same conditions. It’s seldom that riders have an opportunity to do that.

The Big Welsh Weekend is two days of riding and racing at Margam Park in South Wales. The race action consists of the third round of the British XC series on the Saturday, where top Brits Oli Beckinsale and Liam Killeen are scheduled to be competing alongside Roel.

Sunday is the official Trek British Marathon Championships around Britain’s longest race course, 25km, with the top riders covering four laps for the full 100km. Past winners include Nick Craig, Jenny Copnall, Ian Wilkinson and Sally Bigham.

Roel will be taking part in both days of racing as well as being at the expo for the weekend to answer any XC/Marathon questions you may have.

More at www.bigwelshweekend.com