Following a short break after a successful season in 2017, the Malta Mountain Bike Assocation announced dates for the 2018 season, with the first cross country race as a season opener in Miżieb on Sunday 28th January.

The Association announced that BDO Malta will be extending their support towards the Cross Country National Points Series for another year, following the success garnered in the previous season.  

"Last year was a very successful year.  The Association took some bold decisions in an attempt to grow the sport and these decisions proved to be the right ones. Substantial interest was generated and participation from previous years grew", explained Pierre Zammit Endrich, President, Malta Mountain Bike Association.  "We improved on existing routes and introduced new ones, seeking to increase technical routes whilst at the same time ensuring that newcomers to the sport are not deterred by impossible courses".

The BDO Malta National Points Series will see at total of five cross country race events scheduled to take place between January and May, with the Series coming to an end with a National Championship race. Riders will be split into six categories - Elite, Open, Ladies, Masters Over 40, Masters Over 50, Juniors. The Association announced that it would be introducing the first Cross Country challenges for U/12 and U/15 riders who will be given 2 and 3 laps, respectively of a 1km - non-technical loop.

BDO Malta National Points Series -  Cross Country Calendar

 

28th January	Sunday	8.00 a.m.	XC N.P.S. - RACE 1	Mizieb
25th February	Sunday	8.00 a.m.	XC N.P.S. - RACE 2	Mgarr
18th March	Sunday	8.00 a.m.	XC N.P.S. - RACE 3	Majjistral
29th April	Sunday	8.00 a.m.	XC N.P.S. - RACE 4	Gozo
20th May	Sunday	8.00 a.m.	XC N.P.S. - RACE 5	Selmun
1st July	Sunday	8.00 a.m.	XC National Championships	Hagar Qim

 

The Cross Country National Points Series is sponsored by BDO Malta and supported by PASH The Healthy Option, SIS (Carm. & Co. Ltd.), H2only (Island Beverages Ltd.), Camilleri Marine Ltd., AF Sign Studio, The Cyclist, Wheel Wizard and Magri Cycles.

The Association also announced the calendar for Downhill Mountain Biking events :-

National Points Series - Downhill Race Calendar

 

17th February	Saturday	2.00 p.m.	DH N.P.S. - RACE 1	Wardija
31st March	Saturday	2.00 p.m.	DH N.P.S. - RACE 2	Selmun
21st April	Saturday	2.00 p.m.	DH N.P.S. - RACE 3	Dwejra
12th May	Saturday	2.00 p.m.	DH N.P.S. - RACE 4	Gnejna
26th May	Saturday	2.00 p.m.	DH National Championships	TBA

 

Association Members will also be taking part in a number of international commitments, most notably the Etna Extreme and Hero Sella Ronda UCI Marathon. Mountain Biking events will also be included in the European Small Nations Cycling Championships which will take place in Malta,  in June.

More information on the racing calendar can be found on http://www.maltamountainbike.org.mt or through the Association's email [email protected]