Privateer Beastway MTB Series 2013

The future of the series was uncertain in 2012 but event organisers SIP Events stepped in over the winter to take on the iconic grass roots series that will run every Wednesday evening for the eight weeks.

There was an international feel to the first round with UCI Elite MTB team Orange Monkey Pro Team out in force. Riders attending included U23 South African Champion Rourke Croeser and new signing Markiske Strauss, the African Continental Champion, both from South Africa; as well as Serbian National Champion Jovana Crnogorac. These riders will joined a host of other top riders, loyal Beastway racers and first timers for an hour of off-road racing within sight of old London town.

London Olympic Games and UCI World Cup MTB commentator Dan Jarvis joined the party to give the first round that extra something special with his own brand of banter. Canyon bikes, the series bike sponsor, were also be there with their demo fleet for riders to try.

Racing takes place every Wednesday night and starts for most of the main categories at 7.30pm for about an hour with the novice category starting slightly later and racing for half an hour. There will also be kids racing starting at around 6.30pm. Full details and online entry are available on the official website: www.beastway-mtb.co.uk.

Future rounds of the series will include a Bike Limbo competition, a mini-trials competition, a team relay and some skills training. So if you’ve ever thought about getting into mountain bike racing or fancy some mid-week racing, the Beastway is the place to be.

Read a great blog on Paul's adventures at round 1 of the series.