The Zurich Youth Mountain Bike Series is held over eight rounds between October and February, and takes place in four of the Island’s plantations. There are seven race categories – balance bikes (children aged around four), U6, U8, U10, U12, U14 and U16 – with competitors having to complete the most laps of the track in a set time period. The sport is open to children of all standards, with upto 100 competing over the course of the season although this number is predicted to increase.
The best six results from the eight rounds are used to determine the end of season placings. Races are organised around other local youth cycling meetings or off-Island tours, with organisers working together with those from other clubs and leagues to ensure children are given the opportunity to participate in all formats of the sport should they wish to.
One of the plantations that will be used to stage some of the races is Archallagan, near Foxdale. In May, 130 Zurich employees built the dedicated junior mountain bike race track there as part of the company’s ‘Zurich Commitment’ Community programme, as well as a dedicated fitness trim trail and children’s playground.
Zurich’s Communications Manager, Merita Taylor, commented: “Zurich is committed to supporting legacy projects on the Island, particularly those that deliver a benefit to children and young people on a long-term basis, and this is why we decided to build the junior race track at Archallagan. When Zurich was approached about sponsoring youth mountain bike racing on the Island, we didn’t hesitate in saying ‘yes’ and saw it as a natural progression from our initial involvement with the sport.
“Youth Mountain bike racing is a sport which is growing in popularity with children on the Island, and there is a firm commitment from the Manx Mountain Bike Club to help develop the standard of this in addition to providing opportunities for mountain bike racing. It is an exciting sport to watch as well as for children to participate in and I would like to wish all of the competitors the best of luck for the forthcoming season.”
One of the organisers of the Zurich Youth Mountain Bike Series, Bob Teare, added: “I would like to thank Zurich International Life for sponsoring youth mountain bike racing this season, and for helping to give children the opportunity to develop their skills in the sport. The Island has a huge number of opportunities for riding off-road but the Zurich Youth Mountain Bike Series provides additional benefits to them such as being able to compete regularly, staying fit and healthy, developing their social skills and confidence, and making new friends. We want to grow the sport and provide further mountain biking and fun opportunities for children in the future, and so I would encourage anyone who would like to race or find out more to get in touch with us.”
For further information about the Zurich Youth Mountain Bike Series, please log onto https://sites.google.com/site/mmbcyouthraces.
Photo - Back row, adults standing – (l-r) Bob Teare, one of the Organisers of the Zurich Youth Mountain Bike Series, with Merita Taylor and Ian Delooze representing Zurich International Life, and some of the junior racers.
