Location: Matterley Basin, Winchester
Event: 14 April 2013
The 2013 pedalon SouthernXC series kicks off next weekend on Sunday 14 April at a brand new venue. Matterley Basin is home to the British Motocross Grand Prix and has amazing facilities with easy access, lots of hard standing parking and great views.
We are very excited about the opportunities at this venue and expect the course to grow and mature as we race here more often.
The pre-entry list for the Elite Men Race is beginning to look more like a Nationals race with nine Elite riders already entered. Oli Beckingsale, National Series Champion, is confirmed as Ade Lansley begins his defence of the Southern Series title. Emily Iredale moves up from Masters to Elite Female this year to give Rachel Fenton more competition.
In the Expert category, Michael Guilford, 3rd last year, and Daniel Eastment are entered as Jason Boutell, last year's winner, moves up to Elite. Kim Little looks strong in the Masters category after an 8th place at Sherwood Pines.
In the Vets category, Paul Hopkins has an early entry back in the Vets category as Lewis King and Mark Chadbourne resume battle for the series title. Sean Scott is a prospect as new boy in this category after 4th in last year's Master category. 25 pre-entered riders in this category is a record.
In the Grand Vets category new old boys Roland Tilley and Steve Jones are battling to defeat the veteran Grand Vet Rob Jackson, 2012 runner up to Anthony Dyment. Carol Tilley seems likely to get a good start in the Grand Vet Female category as the only starter so far.
In the Juniors, Gretel Warner moves from Youth, leaving Abigail Van Twisk to get a good start in the Youth Female category this year. Liam Keynes and Chris McGovern are entered to give Sam Stean some competition this year.
Lots of new names pre-entered should mix up all the other categories a bit as well. Over 50% of the pre-entries are from racers who haven't entered a SouthernXC race before.
Pre-entry closes on Wednesday. Click here www.southernxc.net to enter now. Pre-entered riders get personalized race plates as well as saving time and money.
We will be producing race reports, photo galleries and videos again this year so look out for full race coverage here next Monday. And you can follow the race action live by following SouthernXC on Twitter.
