Round 2 returns to the Aske Estate on the outskirts of Richmond.

This event doubles up as the North of England Regional Championships, boosting the classification to British Cycling National B and offering almost double points for those chasing them. The course is that used in the 2011 Dare2B British National MTB XC Championships and was subject to a significant investment in 2011 to increase its technicality in order to make it worthy of a National Championship! Referred to as the "best UK course outside of Dalby's World Cup Course" by British MTB Coach Phil Dixon, Aske certainly proved its worth in 2011 and returns for more of the same, albeit without the National Champs, in 2012!"

From the start field, it's a short dash across to the Woodyard, where riders meet the first severity – a short, sharp incline up to "Jockey Cap". From here, it's on down to the first steep descent. It's again, a short, sharp drop down through "Mike's Wood" before re-emerging into the open at "Tumbledown House". Up again from here for a short climb before turning and blasting back down toward "Tumbledown House". Then it's onto "The Grind" – another short, sharp incline, before the super steep descent through "Adey's Plantation" and out into "Quad Field". A quick sprint across the field leads into the first section of wooded singletrack, crossing the access road and breaking out onto a short piece of fire track. Heading back into the woods, it's a twisty, turny section of singletrack down to "Log Pile". A stretch of fire track here should allow for some drafting and overtaking, before it's back into the wood for more singletrack along the "Troll Trail". This trail twists and winds its way through the wood, featuring berms and drop-offs, before emerging at "Lloyd Shorts" for the final stretch of fire track known as "Head Wind". 1 final chance for overtaking before entering "Bluebell Wood" for a final singletrack blast. Now it's into the home straight as riders emerge from the wood and sprint for the finish. But the question remains – who will be first to cross the line?!

Course Length: 6.4km
Height Gain: 100m
Technical Difficulty: Medium/Hard

LOCATION:

OFFICIAL EVENT WEBSITE: