Round-the-world record holder Mike Hall will ride the opening round of the Welsh MTB XC Winter Series  on Sunday December 9.

Earlier this year Hall smashed the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by bicycle, riding an average of 200 miles a day for 91 days.

The new Welsh MTB XC Winter Series will have five rounds from December to March. Rounds one, three and five will take place at the Coed Trallwm trail centre, while Nant Cerdin in Llanwrtyd Wells will host rounds two and four.

The format is simple. Riders race over multiple laps for one hour plus one lap over variable terrain made up of fire roads, woodland and a mixture of technical and flowing singletrack set among the stunning scenery that mid-Wales is famous for.

“2012 really was the year of mud tyres, dirty bikes, crud catchers and slippery fun,” the organisers told us. “However, as any true mountain biker will tell you, muddy trails improve skills and the wet toughens you up.

“It also happens to be the perfect preparation for a spot of winter MTB racing! After a summer like ours, there really are no excuses to not get out there and race this winter as mud is now, officially, your new best friend and rain is an everyday occurrence.”

Entry is £10 per round or £40 for the whole series with entries closing seven days prior to each round – there are no on-the-day entries. Full details can be found at www.redkite-events.co.uk

Welsh MTB XC Series

Round one – December 9 – Coed Trallwm MTB Centre
Round two – January 13 – Nant Cerdin, Irfon Forest, Llanwrtyd Wells
Round three – February 3 – Coed Trallwm MTB Centre
Round four – February 24 – Nant Cerdin, Irfon Forest, Llanwrtyd Wells
Round five – March 17 – Coed Trallwm MTB Centre