Cycling: Cross Country Championships 2025-26

Date:

Saturday 11th April 2026

Venue:

Cannock Chase

Address:

Cannock Chase, Birches Valley, Rugeley, Staffs, WS15 2UQ

Race HQ is located in the event village.

Saturday registration opening times are:

08:00am – 17:30pm

Registration for each race closes 30 minutes prior to race start time.

Please see the timetable for the BUCS race:

8.00am-9.00am

• Main Course Inspection on foot

9.00am-11.00am

• Official Course Practice

11.30am

• BUCS Race Starts

Parking will be available at the main Forestry Centre (WS15 2UQ).

Parking will be available for £6 per vehicle, all entrants will be sent discount code once entries are closed. Parking must be paid for via the terminals.

Equipment

For all rounds of the National Series, both XCO and XCC, road handlebars, clip-on extensions or inner bar ends are all forbidden, however traditional bar ends are authorised. Bar end plugs must be fitted in all cases.

Coaching Boards

Available at HQ for anybody who holds a BC coaching qualification. Present your license, where you will be loaned a coaching board. Please retrun this at the end of the session or risk no boards at future rounds. You must accompany the rider being coached at all times.

Marshals 

Marshals are equipped with red and yellow flags. Should a Marshal be waving a yellow flag, there is an incident ahead and all competitors must slow down and approach with caution. If a red flag is being waved, all competitors must stop and wait for instructions. Failing to adhere to either of these regulations may result in a competitor being disqualified.

Timing Chips

Please wear your timing chip around your left ankle under your sock. It is your responsibility to return your timing chip immediately after your race. There will be a bucket past the finish line for you to deposit the chip in and an additional bucket at the registration area for you to use should you leave the course before the end of your race. You will be fined £50.00 if you fail to return the Transponder.

Race Numbers

For all categories, please secure your number board to the front of your race bike using cable ties provided in race pack. For UCI categories, there is also a back number which needs to be placed in lower centre of your back, secured using pins. You must not fold or trim your race number, the size is designed to be seen by all race officials at the optimum distance.

Official Practice Sessions

On the grounds of safety, all competitors are advised to compete in at least one of the official practice sessions before their race. Riders shall not access the course for any further practise sessions after their race unless they are also on the startlist for a later race. 

Gridding XCC

In accordance with the latest Series Standings, then at random. XCO - For domestic categories, this will be in accordance with the latest Series Standings, followed by the latest National Rankings, then at random. For UCI Elite & Junior categories, UCI rankings take precedence. More information on gridding can be found here.

Podium Presentations

These will take place shortly after each race on the British Cycling stage. Please listen on the day for confirmation of podium times, as all results need to be verified by commissaires, meaning that delays are possible. For all domestic categories, the top 3 riders for each published category will be required to attend and the top 5 riders for UCI categories.

Onboard Cameras

For races run under British Cycling regulations, cameras are permitted for use subject to regulation M2.4. This is limited to full licence holders only in the year of their 17 birthday or older. Riders with a Provisional Licence are not eligible. Cameras must be fitted to the bicycle only. Body and/or helmet mounts are not permitted at XC events and anyone found using one mounted in this manner will face instant Disqualification. th For any races run under UCI regulations, 4.1.042 does not permit the use of camera’s within Cross Country races, so you can only mount one during practise sessions for said races.

Event Photography

Please note that photographers will be present at this event. Any rider who does not consent to being photographed whilst participating should notify the sign-on team, where their preference will be updated and photographers notified.

A/B/C Lines

Where the course splits into multiple lines, A being the most technical, competitors must not intentionally dismount and try to run the A line. This is a Series Regulation and failure to adhere to this may result in disqualification.

Tech / Feed Zones

These are designated areas for riders to receive technical assistance and or nutrition during the race. If technical assistance is required, then the bike should be stationary whilst this takes place. Jet washers are not allowed at any time in the tech / feed zone. If bike washing becomes a necessity, then please do so in the designated bike wash area if available, or in a sensible location where any run off does not flow over the course or the tech / feed zone.

Event Waste Management

Please dispose of any event waste in the bins provided. Any waste during the race, such as gel wrappers or energy bar wrappers should be disposed of in the green zone. This is located directly after the tech / feed zone and should be the ONLY place on the course, apart from the tech / feed zone, where litter or unwanted items are dropped. Failure to adhere to this will lead to a fine and or disqualification if caught. We should only be leaving only tyre tracks on the trails. Waste collected will be disposed of will be recycled where possible.

Spectator safety is of paramount importance at the National Mountain Bike series, and as much as we strive to keep all spectators safe from harm, please remember that all spectators are responsible for their own personal safety. Here are pointers to help stay safe while watching a live event:

• Be responsible and keep your own safety in mind
• Always follow and obey marshal’s instructions; they are there to keep you safe
• Observe and follow all event signs, do not cross or enter taped areas and stay within any designated spectator areas
• Do not enter any restricted areas and keep off the track, if unsure ask a marshal
• Always keep dogs on a lead
• Do not alter, move or disturb any part of the course
• Children to be always accompanied
• Never stand on the outside of a corner or berm
• Stand above the track, rather than below Remember:
• Riders may run wide on corners, take lines close to the tape, overshoot jumps or leave the course with mechanicals

BUCS’ mission is to provide exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite.

Critical to our success is our commitment to always providing safe, friendly and enjoyable environments for all participants. Whether competing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, working or spectating at these events, the welfare of all is critical to our mission.

To find out more or report a concern, please click here.

The sustainability of our event matters to us and these are the positive steps we are taking to manage our environmental impact:

• All staff and volunteers are encouraged to travel to the event via public transport
• We have used local suppliers where possible
• Event programmes are all online, minimising paper use
• We will print on demand merchandise (if applicable)
• We are beginning to track our carbon footprint across BUCS events to identify areas of improvement.

How can you help at this event? Here’s some ideas:

• Be self-sufficient by bringing your own refillable bottles and coffee cups to reduce waste
• Ensure you are disposing of waste correctly – Check around the venue for specific recycling and food waste bins
• Travel smarter – as a team on a minibus, cycle or use public transport
• Go paperless - use your phone for all event information