The 2014 Cambodia Mountain Bike (MTB) Series hits the road to championship glory at Phnom Penh’s famed Silk Island on May 4, signalling the start of another exciting season of five pulsating rounds spread over the next six months.

With awareness and interest in the MTB series on the rise, the series is widely expected to attract far bigger turnouts than have been seen in

previous years.

The well-spaced calendar and the choice of challenging locales combine to make this a unique experience for riders at all levels from the most seasoned to the start-up.

According to the calendar made available to the Post by one of the prime movers of the series and a passionate biker himself, Pierre Yves Catry, the second round will be held at Prek Leap on June 8, the third in Kampong Speu on August 3, the fourth in Kep on October 19 and the final round at Phnom Baset on November 2.

“These dates and locations may be revised if found unsuitable. We will stick as much as possible to this calendar.

The total number of championship rounds will however be maintained at five,” Catry told the Post on Tuesday.

The only change from last year’s edition as far as the categories offered for participants is B class being split into two age groups.

Every event involves competition in nine different categories – the A1 Elite Open (all ages), A2 Expert (30 years and over), B1 Intermediate (18-29), B2 Intermediate (30 & over), C1 Junior (14-18), C2 Novices (19-35), C3 Novices (36 and over), W (Women class) and K (Kids class, 13 years old and below).

For A1, A2, B1 and B2 riders, the organising committee has drawn up a list of competitors from previous years and will decide on the basis of the 2013 performance which class each will race in.

Participants are not allowed to change class once the list is approved and after the first round. However, new riders with no performance records can race in the category of their choice.

At the end of each round, winners will be entitled for fixed points to match their finishing position.

Riders who do not manage to complete the required number of laps will not get points while a rider must finish the race not later than 25 minutes from the race winner to be eligible for a score.

The championship goes to the rider with the highest number of points accrued over the five rounds. In case of a tie on points for a particular place in the standings, the result of the most recent race will determine the winner.

The following are the registration and transport fees fixed by the organisers.

Registration: For events around Phnom Penh and Kampong Speu – $3 for Cambodian students (proof required), $5 for Cambodian adults and $10 for foreigners. For Kep and other races – $5 for Cambodian students, $8 for Cambodian adults and $15 for foreigners.

Transport: Phnom Baset and Kampong Speu – $2 for Cambodian students, $3 for Cambodian adults and $5 for foreigners.

Kep – $3 for Cambodian students, $5 for Cambodian adults and $10 for foreigners.

Bikers to hit up Mondulkiri tracks

A special mountain bike race and fun ride will be held in Mondulkiri province from May 17 to 19.

The three-day event, which is being highlighted as ‘Bike for People, Culture and Nature’, is being sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund with the aim of promoting responsible tourism in Mondulkiri.

The event offers free transport to the participants. For registration enquiries contact Flying Bikes 2, No 131B, Street 51, Phnom Penh.