Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) has announced the details of the Subaru Australian Mountain Bike Series for 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.
The series gives Australian riders the opportunity compete for the title of National Series Champion, as well as accruing UCI points toward international representation.
Following on from the 2014 Series – which saw an was conducted in the midst of a challenging split between Cycling Australia and MTBA – MTBA says it will deliver a truly National series in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.
In a press release, MTBA’s Executive Officer Shane Coppin indicated that their goal is to increase the number of regions hosting events. The competition for both seasons has been expanded both in the number of rounds and geographically to encompass five Australian states / territories in 2014-15 and six in the following year.
“We’ve worked hard with partner clubs and organisations to ensure that the series expands geographically, with both seasons stretching across Australia and visiting both Western Australia and Queensland for the first time in a number of years,” said Coppin.
“Keeping with this aim of taking National events to a variety of exciting mountain bike destinations, we have plans for XCM events in South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.”
The series forms a key stepping-stone for competitive riders to international competition, with Australia’s Mountain Biking bronze medallists in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Dan McConnell and Bec Henderson, being among the many regular Elite competitors.
Racing will get underway for all riders this year on 12-14th December, 2014 with Downhill, Cross Country and Eliminator action taking place in the You Yangs Regional Park in Victoria.
In an exciting partnership, the opening round of the series for Downhill riders will also be the opening round of the highly-successful Victorian State Downhill Series, with riders accruing points and prizes in both series for a single entry fee.
The series will continue with rounds in Western Australia, New South Wales, and the ACT, and then finish on a high note with the final round being held in conjunction with the 2015 Oceania Mountain Bike Championships in Toowoomba, QLD.
2014-2015 Subaru Australian Mountain Bike Series & Championships
| 12th – 14th Dec 2014 | You Yangs, VIC | DHI, XCO, XCE |
| 24th – 25th Jan 2015 | Pemberton, WA | XCO (Double-header – two rounds – one each day) |
| 6th – 8th Feb 2015 | Thredbo, NSW | DHI |
| 20th – 22nd Feb 2015 | Mt Stromlo, ACT | DHI, XCO, XCE |
| 12th – 15th Mar 2015 | Bright, VIC | National Championships – DHI, XCO, XCE, Trials (Standalone event separate to Series) |
| 26th – 29th Mar 2015 | Toowoomba, QLD | DHI, XCO, XCE In association with the 2015 Oceania Championships |
Note: All National Series rounds will be UCI Cat 2 events
2015-2016 Subaru Australian Mountain Bike Series & Championships
| 13th – 15th Nov 2015 | Adelaide, SA | DHI |
| 27th – 29th Nov 2015 | You Yangs, VIC | DHI, XCO, XCE |
| 11th – 13th Dec 2015 | Mt Stromlo, ACT | DHI, XCO, XCE |
| 23rd – 24th Jan 2016 | Pemberton, WA | XCO (Double-header – two rounds – one each day) |
| 5th – 7th Feb 2016 | Thredbo, NSW | DHI, XCO, XCE |
| 4th – 6th Mar 2016 | Toowoomba, QLD | DHI, XCO, XCE |
| 17th – 20th Mar 2016 | Bright, VIC | National Championships – DHI, XCO, XCE, Trials (Standalone event separate to Series) |
Note: All National Series rounds will be UCI Cat 2 events