Date: Saturday 30 April 2022
Event: NPS XC Round 1
Venue: Leadmines, Newtownards
Host club: Ards Cycling Club

Course location
Address – Whitespots Country Park in Newtownards, County Down BT23 7PH
Co-ordinates – 54.614030, -5.681124
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Course Description: The race is being run at the Whitespots Country Park in Newtownards, County Down BT23 7PH. There is a car park (free admission) at this location with a short walk (450m) from this area via a pedestrian path to the event Start/Finish area. Racing takes place on undulating off-road terrain with a mixture of technical and flowing sections on both dirt and gravel. Provisions will be available for spectators during the event. NB – this is an off-road location and rugged footwear is encouraged.

Race Timing: Laptop timing for Under 8s up to Seniors

Race Timetable: 
09:00 – Sign on opens
10:00 – Under 6s fun race
10:15 – Under 8s
10:30 – Under 10s
10:50 – Under 12s
11:15 – Prize giving for U8s, U10s and U12s
12:00 – Under 16s, Senior 4 men, Senior 2 women, Senior 3 women, Under 14s
13:30 – Prize giving for U14s, U16s, S2 women, S3 women and S4 men
14:00 – Senior 1 men, Juniors, Senior 1 women, Senior 2 men, Senior 3 men
15:45 – Prize giving for S1, S2 and S3 men, Juniors and S1 women

NOTE: SIGN ON CLOSES 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF EACH RACE.

Senior beginners (S3 women – S4 men)
The sport will only grow when we attract new people to give cross-country racing a ‘go’.
As per 2019 both the Senior 4 men and Senior 3 women have a reduced entry fee as per a proposal passed at the 2017 Cycling Ireland Off-road Commission AGM.
As per 2019 the Senior 3 women’s race will share the Under 14s course as per a proposal passed at the 2017 Cycling Ireland Off-road Commission AGM.
Both the Senior 4 men and Senior 3 women’s races should last less than 60 minutes.

Under 6 race
The Under 6s race is just for fun. It is an introduction to off-road racing. It is all about the achievement of starting and finishing. If your child can complete the course with ease and is ready for the next challenge please have them try the Under 8s race instead. There is no lower age limit on the Under 8s race.

Practice times
For the main course
09:00 – 11:45
13:15 – 13:45
NO PRACTICE IS ALLOWED ON THE COURSE WHEN ANY RACING IS IN PROGRESS The venue will be open from 9:00 am on Saturday 30 April 2022. Note: There is no practice allowed on any other day before the race.

Location of Registration and opening times:
Sign on will take place at the race village, at the turning circle area on the first fire road on reaching the upper car park area. Signage will be in place to direct riders to the race village and sign on area. Sign on opens at 9:00 am on Saturday 30 April 2022.
Sign on closes 15 minutes before the start of the call up for each race.

Race numbers:
Race numbers will be supplied by the organiser which should be placed secured onto the handlebars in a way which makes it clear for timekeepers to read.
Riders must not cut, fold or mutilate race numbers.
Race numbers must be handed back at the completion of your race.

Pre-registration: – Opens at 8 pm on Wednesday 6 April 2022
Closes 28 April 2022 (8 pm)

Notes: Ensure bicycles are in good working order and that bar-ends have been fitted.
No electric bikes or motorised bicycles permitted.
No cyclo-cross bicycles permitted.

Prizes: Medals for top 3 boys and girls in Under 8s to Seniors.  Under 6s to Under 12s to also get a goodie bag.