Atherton and Carpenter among favorites for British Downhill Series
Combe Sydenham hosts season opener
Former elite downhill world champion Rachel Atherton and junior downhill world champion Manon Carpenter will do battle at this weekend's opening round of the British Downhill Series in Combe Sydenham.
The elite men's field is also stacked with many top riders from the World Cup. Last year's series winner and new kid on the block Alex Bond will be trying to upset the old guard. That won't be easy against Steve Peat, Marc Beaumont, Josh Bryceland, Brendan Fairclough and Matti Lehoikenen.
In total, 330 of the fastest gravity racers from the United Kingdom, along with a sprinkling of foreign riders, will be competing.
The course has been totally re-vamped from top to bottom as the trail fairies have been super busy over the winter. The middle field section features a 32-foot long step down into a selection of man-made jumps that will please crowds and Danny Hart "whip" imitators.
Combe Sydenham country park is situated on the eastern edge of the Exmoor National Park. The venue was used from 2002 to 2004 for the National Points Series (NPS).
Both seeding and finals will happen on Sunday, April 15.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
How Matteo Jorgenson and Visma-Lease a Bike dominated Paris-Nice despite Jonas Vingegaard's crash – Philippa York analysis
American rider takes command for Visma-Lease a Bike to defend Race to the Sun title, shows great form ahead of the Classics -
Crankbrothers Candy 7 pedal review: A more free pedalling feel, but with reduced durability
If you find SPD systems too rigid then the Crankbrothers Candy pedals may well be for you, but you'll have to look after them. -
Who will win the 2025 Tour de France? Rankings the form of the favourites after Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico
Tadej Pogačar is still top of the pile despite skipping a key week of stage racing -
Best tyre levers: One product is so good, we've not bothered including the rest
After testing out various other tyre lever options, nothing comes close to the Muc-Off Rim Stix