News from across the pond on a new series dedicated to fourcross, mountaincross, bikercross, or any other moniker applied to four riders going downhill at once.
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The Fourcross Alliance has been successful in accomplishing its plan for which the international alliance was established - to be a platform for exchanging information and experience of fourcross supporters and fans.
The foundation meeting of FA held at the 2009 MTB World Cup finals in Schladming brought a lot of interesting ideas; however, it was too late for their application in this years World Cup 4X.
The main subject of FA members discussions during winter months became the conception of the European racing series as a laboratory for testing practical application of our plans. The idea of a European series perhaps as old as fourcross has finally obtained its sharp outline. Although the world financial situation does not favour sports projects very much, we managed to find a relatively cheap solution to introduce the first year of the Euro Fourcross Series event this year! Thus, thanks to enthusiasm of experienced organizers and their sponsors, the Euro Fourcross Series 2010 will pay a visit to five European countries.
#1 18.04. Prague, Czech Republic
In the weekend with the Czech 4X Cup on Polis.13 track
#2 24.04. Szczawno Zdrój, Poland
Within Festina Night Race (UCI Class 1)
#3 22.05. Winterberg, Germany
Within Scott 4X Challenge at the iXS Dirt Masters festival.
#4 30.05. Harthill, Great Britain
On the weekend with NPS-4X just one week before the Fort William World Cup.
#5 26.06. Leogang, Austria
Within the Out of Bounds festival on the track designed by Guido Tschugg (UCI Class 2)
Euro Fourcross Series 2010 characteristics:
-For the very first time juniors age 15 and up get their own international 4X series!
-Categories: Elite Men (over the age of 19) and Junior Men (age of 15 to 18).
-Only for UCI license holders.
-5,000 euro for three best racers based on the total placing of Elite Men.
-500 euro as minimum prize money for finalists of Elite Men category of each of the rounds.
-Identity Krisis SL bike for the best junior and material prizes for Junior Men finalists at each round.
-Starting fee not exceeding 30 euro per one race.
-The same Bensink starting gate for all rounds.
-Points for 32 best riders in race and also in qualification.
-Points obtained in all races are calculated for the total placing; no points shall be stricken off.
-The precondition for the awards for the total placing is participation in three races at least.
Comments on the EFS
Scott Beaumont (pro rider):
The Euro Fourcross Series is going to be great. Fourcross has been getting more popular over the last few years and time is right now for a full European Series. Europe is leading the way with Fourcross tracks, and I
cant wait to race on some new tracks in 2010. I will be attending all rounds in 2010 and looking to get my hands on the title.
Zdenek Pol (organizer of round 1 in Prague):
What makes me proud is that we found a way how to run a good race series with almost zero budget but still interesting for all subjects involved. Good prize money, some rules improvements and a great Bensink gate for riders, good competition secured for previously independent races, a motivation for 4X rookies, an interesting mix of various tracks etc. EFS brings some fresh air into 4X racing, I guess. Its a pleasant moment to see such a riders like Joost Wichman and Scott Beaumont coming to the Polis.13 track opened by the legendary SEAT 4X Masters back in 2006.
Andrzej Skrzypczak (organizer of round 2 in Szczawno Zdroj):
We decided to join the EFS because we believe it will help develop 4X and will be a good supplement to the World Cup. Our course is 400 meters long, 6-8 m wide and includes 7 bermed turns, 5 jumps, two table tops, and 4 rhythm sections. Brian Lopes said that he had seen only one more beautiful course in the world, somewhere in Brazil.
André Baumbach (organizer of round 3 in Winterberg):
The third stop of the series will be a part of the iXS Dirt Masters Fest, Europes biggest freeride festival. Last year, the fourcross drew riders such as Jared Graves, Roger Rinderknecht, Guido Tschugg and Joost
Wichman. This year's finals will be raced under floodlights.
Chris Roberts (organizer of round 4 in Harthill):
The EFS is great step forward for the sport of Fourcross racing, organizers want it to have Europes top riders racing on there tracks, riders want to race it & action sports fans want to watch it. Harthill is brand new track near Chester designed and built by Phil Saxena. Saturday is RD2 National 4X series with Dirt Wars (Dirt Jump Competition) on Saturday night followed by live bands and party. Sunday is the EFS race day.
André Baumbach (organizer of round 5 in Leogang):
The finals of the Euro Fourcross Series will take the racers to the Out of Bounds Festival in Leogang. The combination of Austrias finest Gravity Weekend with the last run of the Series promises even more action
packed gravity riding. A lot of well known riders will enter the race, not at least by reason of the short journey from Schladming one week before. The racetrack was built by Guido Tschugg.
