The various organisers of the Southern XC series have announced the dates for the five-round 2006 series.

The big news is the introduction of a new venue – Crow Hill, near Ringwood on the western edge of the New Forest National Park. We raced at Crow Hill about what feels like about a thousand years ago and seem to recall that it was good fun, so it’s good to see a major series back there.

“We wanted to increase the geographical spread of the series and return to the New Forest especially now it has National Park status,” commented Southern XC Series spokesman Steve Jones. “Crow Hill’s not far from the end of the M27 and close to Bournemouth so it’s ideal. There’s an enthusiastic group of people behind the event and I’m sure riders will enjoy the course.”

Run under the auspices of the Mountain Bike Sport Association, the series will have a seperate Elite category for 2006, with the rest of the usual categories in place. Additional championship categories will include two Youth categories, with the 12-16 group being split into one or two-lap race options. There’ll also be an Under 12 championship, while the less competitive will be offered various non-championship categories including Open, Fun and Under 10.

So, the dates then – these are currently provisional, and what’s more they might change:

• Sunday 23 April: Checkendon, Reading All Terrain MBC
• Sunday 14 May: East Grinstead, Team Darenth
• Sunday 18 June: Crow Hill, Team Southern XC
• Sunday 30 July: Bordon, West Drayton MBC
• Sunday 3 September: Yateley Heath Wood, Gorrick MBC

Entry fees for championship categories have been held at 2005 prices. Latest news and details (and entry forms and stuff) at www.southernxc.com.