By BikeRadar
Britain's national cross-country series has been given a facelift for 2009.
The NPS has been renamed the British Mountain Bike race series. It is set to feature overseas World Cup riders at each round, world ranking points and shorter, more challenging courses at a mix of old and new locations.
Organiser Inevent, which staged the series from 2004-2007, says it wants to bring "a new vibrancy" to cross-country racing.
British Cycling's official cross-country race series will also feature £10,000 of prize money for the pros, UCI status for all rounds and endurance races at three rounds to create bigger event weekends.
Other highlights of the 2009 British Mountain Bike race series will include New course at Dalby Forest as a test event for the 2010 World Cup, a return to England's previous World Cup venue Newnham Park for a Class 1 UCI event - the biggest UK cross-country race in 2009, series commentary from World Championships commentator Dan Jarvis, free camping on-site at all events, free children's races, an option for non-British Cycling licence holders to enter their local race or the open class, a mixture of dirt crits, cyclo-cross and short-course races as extra entertainment.
2009 British Mountain Bike Series
Sunday, April 5: Sherwood Pines, Mansfield (2)
Sunday, May 10: Dalby Forest World Cup Test Event, Pickering (2)
Saturday, May 30: Margam Park, Port Talbot (2)
Saturday, June 27: Crow Hill, New Forest (2)
Saturday, September 26: Newnham Park, Plymouth (1)
For more information, visit www.britishcycling.org.uk.
