Olympic hopefuls support Dalby Forest World Cup bid

Top British mountain bikers visited Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire as the final preparations are being made to submit a bid to hold a UCI Mountain Bike Cross Country World Cup event there in May of 2010.

Organisers have been encouraging cycling fans to support the bid by cheering on British Olympians - or taking part themselves - in the Dalby round of the British Mountain Bike Race Series cross country mountain bike race set for May 10. The race will serve as a test event for the proposed World Cup and will be the first to use the new World Cup course.

Olympic hopefuls Lilly Matthews and Sebastian Batchelor both visited Dalby to show their support for the venue.

"The new World Cup course at Dalby Forest will be fantastic. It is a brilliant venue for cross country racing," said Batchelor, a York-born Olympic Academy racer for Halfords Bikehut. "The layout of the course is great for anyone who wants to watch the racing, and there are lots of other facilities for a great family day out."

Organizers believe strong attendance at the test event will strengthen the venue's bid.

Cycling governing body British Cycling, landowner The Forestry Commission, UK Sport and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward are preparing to submit the 2010 World Cup bid. If the bid is successful, Yorkshire Forward has pledged to invest in the development of mountain biking in Yorkshire by developing a network of six new trail centres in the region and employing a new Go-Ride coach to inspire and nurture young Yorkshire cyclists.