The road racing season is coming to an end and a handful of pro road riders are taking the opportunity to trade Tarmac for trails at the Ritchey Oktoberfest.

Rapha Condor Sharp riders Tom Southam, Jonathan Tiernan-Locke and Zak Dempster will be joined by Sigma Sport-Specialized’s Simon Richardson for the team relay at Ashton Court on October 15.

That’s some team. After all, Tiernan-Locke claimed the Kings of the Mountains prize at last month’s Tour of Britain, while Dempster, currently riding for HTC-Highroad as a stagiaire, will support world champion Mark Cavendish at this week’s Paris-Tours semi-classic.

“My last competitive outing will be the Ritchey Oktoberfest eight-hour mountain bike relay event in Bristol on October 15,” said Southam. “I can compete in a team with my good mates Simon Richardson, Jonathan Tiernan-Locke and Zak Dempster.”

Head to www.bike-fest.com/oktoberfest/ for more information on Ritchey Oktoberfest.