Olympians Get Ready To Race At Pembrey Country Park

Pembrey Country Park gets ready to welcome the highest level of Mountain Bike event ever to be hosted in Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Top class field of racers, including Olympians, future hopefuls and national champions are getting ready to race at the park on Saturday, April 2. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Round 1 of the British Mountain Bike Series will kick off with racing for all ages and abilities, including youth races and open category events. On Sunday, April 3,the focus switches to the elite races which is attracting an international field of riders including top ranked British riders Grant Fergusson and Annie Last who will be hoping to secure their spot at the 2016 Rio Olympics. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

With the international governing body awarding UCI Category 1 status, the highest possible for a new venue, it is expected that between 700 and 1000 participants will take part over the event weekend. Competitors will lap a 6-kilometre course that will be fast and challenging with technical challenges that will test riders physically and technically. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Organiser Matt Page of A Cycling said: “It is going to be fantastic to watch the best riders in the world riding in such an incredible venue. With Olympic qualification around the corner, the best riders will all be out with something to prove” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Spectators are welcome, with vehicle entry just £5 and excellent viewing within easy reach. Entry on the day is available for fun and open category races that will take place on Saturday, April 2. Campsite bookings are available on 01554 742424 or email camppembrey@carmarthenshire.gov.uk ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The council’s countryside and coast manager, Rory Dickinson said: “To be selected as host for such an elite event is testament to the park’s diverse natural landscape and attractions. With incredibly fun mountain bike riding within and around the park, as well as the fantastic facilities and activities on offer, including the spectacular Blue Flag beach, it will be the perfect venue for families and riders looking to making a weekend of it.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you have a few hours to spare and wish to be a volunteer then please contact Matt on Matt@acycling.com ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​