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Check THESE out!
Are you an under 8 or under 10 age racer? Would you like one of these? Read on...
We're getting ready to embark on another exciting year for the Under 8 and 10 races at this year's SXC series. Last year with Stevie Crowther and Fraser Johnston at the helm, average participation over the course of the series rose by 20%, which shows a huge interest in young people giving Mountain Bike cross-country a go - and the SXC Under 8 and 10 categories are the perfect place to do just that.
In 2020, Falkirk Junior Bike Club will be running the races at all six rounds of the series. The series has a fantastic mix of courses from 2019, with some old favourites in Blairadam Forest in Fife, and Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway making their return.
The purpose of the Under 8 and Under 10 races at the SXC is to act as an introduction to the discipline, and therefore all courses are designed to ensure that all riders have a positive experience, and act as a stepping stone towards the Under 12 category, when riders will move onto a version of the full main course.
We run four separate races, allowing both age categories and Boys and Girls to race separately, keeping field sizes low and ensuring a positive, enjoyable experience for all participants. An approximate race schedule for each round is as follows:
Sign On: 1130-1230
Course Practice: 1230-1255
Under 8 Girls: 1300-1310 (10 mins)
Under 8 Boys - 1315-1325 (10 mins)
Under 10 Boys - 1330-1345 (15 mins)
Under 10 Girls - 1350-1405 (15 mins)
The race schedule may change slightly on the day if races run delayed, but this will be made clear as the races progress.
This year all riders will receive a unique participation medal (like the one in the picture above), specially designed for each round of the series. As a result, there will be no podiums for the Under 8 and Under 10 races, and, as in previous years, there will be no series standings.
The Under 8 and Under 10 races will not be part of Scottish Championships - the races will still run, but as the 5th round of the 2020 SXC series, at the usual time on the same date as the rest of the event.
This is a national series, with events taking place all across Scotland. We encourage riders to participate only in those races local to them, and to make use of the growing number of local/regionally-organised Dirt Crit events running throughout the season (and of course the events taking place across other disciplines too!).
Gridding for each round will be random, and will not be based off of previous results. Arriving at the start line ages before the start of the race will not earn you a better position on the grid!
Volunteers on the day are vital for these events to go ahead - so please step forward throughout the season to don a marshal vest to ensure the races can happen. We usually need 6-10 marshals per round. NO MARSHALS = NO RACING. For only an hour or so of your time, you can help us create the fun, supportive environment we strive for youth bike racing to be!
Results of the races will be published on the SXC Facebook as soon after the event as possible. But please remember that we are volunteers with full-time jobs so this may at times take a couple of days!
We're looking forward to a great season of SXC - and hope to see you at the first round in Beecraigs on the 15th March!
See you soon!
The Falkirk Junior Bike Club Team