The Series has also confirmed its dates and venues for next season, including a return to England’s previous World Cup venue, Newnham Park, for a Class 1 UCI event – the biggest UK XC race in 2009.

You can enter the just-for-fun category at the Series races and race for pride. But you need a licence to compete in the elite and expert categories, and to earn World Ranking Points.

Watch this clip from the 2007 series at Margham

British Cycling says the Series highlights will include:
Top overseas World Cup riders at each round; Shorter more challenging courses; Series commentary from World Champs commentator Dan Jarvis; UCI status for all rounds as we begin the qualification process for 2012 Olympics; £10k of prize money for the pros; 3 rounds with quality endurance races to create bigger event weekends; Free camping on site at all events; Free kids’ races; Option for non BC licence holders to enter their local race or the open class; Mixture of Dirt Crits, Cyclo Cross, Short Course as extra entertainment across series.

Round Details:
April 5 Sherwood Pines, Mansfield. UCI Class 2. – Sunday race
May 10 Dalby Forest, Pickering. UCI Class 2 – World Cup test event – Sunday race
May 30 Margam Park, Port Talbot. UCI Class 2 – Saturday race, part of ‘BIG’ weekend with Trek British Marathon Championships
June 27 Crow Hill, New Forest. UCI Class 2. Saturday race, English Marathon Champs on Sunday
Sep 26 Newnham Park, Plymouth. UCI Class 1. Saturday Race, Newnham 90 enduro on Sunday.

More details will be available as the Winter progresses through www.xcracer.com and www.britishcycling.org.uk.