Are the XC races going to change at all this year?

[ollietrex]

Just wondering there was lots of talk from people that things might change in XC so that maybe some of the better riders from sport would be forced to move up to experts to equal out the classes a bit.

Do you think anything like this will happen or will it be the same as last year?

[Sean]

http://skugg.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/can-of-worms.jpg

[Fergal]

well, a very good question Ollie, and one that is/was to be raised at the Offroad AGM, but it has not been scheduled as yet, which I think is very poor on the side of the Offroad Commission.
I have my own views on what should happen, and a lot of them they are reflected in the results of the XC Racing survey (which I will be publishing next week)
The problem is having a tasty enough carrot so that the clubs will agree to align to a set of XC racing series rules (which should be decided by reps from the clubs), this carrot I believe is a significant series sponsor (or other funding)
The things I think should happen are as follows (I'm sure you've heard it from me before):

There should a concise, structured XC race calendar 2 - 3 months length max, finishing just before the Nationals with a gap of ~ 2 weeks between races to retain focus/interest

There should be an overall or series of sponsors, willing to make the series attractive enough to be well attended (ie;K-Cap equivalent - leaders jerseys, timely and effective promotion etc..)

A dedicated website to obtain your results in a timely manner, and advise of next race details etc..

there's more but you know what I mean I think....

to be honest - I'm not sure if this can be acheived in time for next year - the sponsor I was talking with are apparently putting more money into their existing events and not taking on new ones for next year, which is a pity, but hopefully we have a foot in the door for 2010
I'll need to try contact some other potential sponsors in the short-term and see if something can be arranged for next year, though it's probably a bit short-notice

[ollietrex]

Thanks for the info... Looks like we will have to wait to the off road AGM to see if anything is going to happen.