The Balance Bike World Championships - Balance Bike Slalom

Saturday 24th of August – The Balance Bike World Championships - Slalom.

When purchasing this race entry, please enter the riders name on the ticket, not your own. If you have added the wrong name, please log into your Eventbrite account and change the ticket name immediately.

We are stoked to announce the Balance Bike World Championships being held at the GT Bicycles Malverns Classic.

This exciting and fun competition will help introduce mountain biking to the next generation of young rippers, showcasing the stars of tomorrow (and today)! Bringing together and celebrating groups of young riders, from up and coming pros to youngsters starting out on their balance bikes.

How to become the Balance Bike World World Champion?

Children aged from 2 to 5 years of age can race in this fun and competitive competition. Race categories are split between both boys and girls in their age category. There are three days of racing with Quad Eliminator, Slalom and Downhill. Enter every race to be in with the chance to be World Champion! Spaces are limited in each category.

The courses will be down a very mellow grass field with no major obstacles.

Please note that any brand of balance bike may be used. The riders that accumulate the most points in their category over the three races will be crowned the Balance Bike World Champion on Sunday on the main stage.

Riders will receive points for each race on each day with the top 15 in each category receiving the following points:

1st – 100 points, 2nd – 80 points, 3rd 70 points, 4th – 60 points, 5th – 50 points, 6th – 45 points, 7th – 40 points, 8th – 35 points, 9th – 30 points, 10th – 25 points, 11th – 20 points, 12th – 15 points, 13th – 10 points, 14th 5 – points, 15th – 2 points and 16th – 1 point.

Before entering, please note:

-There are no refunds or transfers on race entries

– Everyone entering the festival has to purchase a festival ticket to gain entry

– Bring a bike lock and ensure your bike/s when not sat on are locked up at all times

– Bikes should be stored inside your vehicle when not being used (bring an old sheet and remove the wheels if need be). We then highly recommend you bring additional locks and lock the bike up further, even when inside your vehicles. Bring an additional sheet to cover over your bike/s in your vehicle

-You DO NOT need to be a British Cycling Member or hold a race licence to enter

-Mountain biking is an inherently dangerous sport with the distinct possibility of severe injuries, or even worse. No matter where you ride or how well you know the course you should never ride beyond your skill level and always ride in control and in a sensible manner. Riding in control does not just mean being able to stop, it also means having the requisite skills to recognise and avoid potentially dangerous situations on the course. You must also be able to recognise where it is safe to stop on the course. Avoiding accidents with other riders is an essential mountain biking skill. Riders must use the course in a sensible manner compatible with their level of experience. Riders should walk the course, observing current ground conditions, making yourself aware of any obstacles prior to riding the course. We ask riders to accept that they will ride the course at their own risk and accept that no liability can be accepted by the event organisers.

Racing one at a time down the dual slalom course, the race is against the clock! This is action-packed racing as riders fire out of the BMX style start gate and around the coloured gates. The fastest four from each category will go into the super finals.

The 1st and 2nd fastest riders will be in the A Final. The 3rd and 4th fastest will be in the B final. (B final will run first, the winner will be awarded 3rd place). These super finals will based on one race, racing head to head. Gate pick goes to the rider that qualified fastest.

Location – Exit the main arena and head up the gravel road for 250 meters, the start is located in the field on the left hand side.

Please Note for Race Registration:

– Race registration, we advise you to beat the rush and sign on ASAP where you will receive your bikes front number board and four cable ties

Race Registration / Sign In:

- Enter online in advance only. There are no on the day entries

- When entering online, please enter using your childs name. This is very important and a common mistake!

- Sign in, even though you have entered in advance you must head on over to race registration and ‘Sign In’

- Race registration will be located in the main arena by the downhill finish line in the black gazebos. Head to race registration with I.D, we accept passports, driving licenses or your National Federations Race License (non presentation of I.D will means you are unable to race)

- Collect your number board, then attach it to the front of your bike prior to the start of practice. If you miss race registration (times/schedule are listed above) you will not be allowed to either practice or race

- Timing is by light beam, no transponders are required

- If you miss race registration (times/schedule are listed above) your child will not be allowed to either practice or race.

Rules and Regulations.

Equipment: The Bicycle can be of any make or brand, though it must be capable of safely and efficiently completing the task and must, as a minimum, be mechanically sound and all reasonable steps must be taken to ensure the safety of the rider and others. As part of the latter, bar plugs are compulsory. Bikes must be a balance bike with no stabilisers. A regular pedal bike with the chain, pedals or cranks removed is not allowed. Brakes are permitted.

Helmets: It is compulsory to wear a protective helmet when racing or training on the course and such helmet must comply with the required safety standards. A full-face helmet is recommended though we will allow an open face helmet to be worn. The helmet must be properly secured in both training and racing. Helmets with a removable chin piece are acceptable, please ensure the chin piece is correctly attached as recommended by the manufacturer. POV cameras are allowed and must be correctly fitted to the helmet.

-During practice, each rider must complete at least two runs of the course to be able to race

-Any rider that misses their start slot/call-up will be disqualified

-Riders must ride around, not over, each gate, with both tyre tracks passing on the outside of each gate. A missed gate (that is not returned to and passed correctly), or a run over a gate, will result in the rider being disqualified.

If you have any questions, please contact the Festival Director Si Paton si@malvernsclassic.com or call/text 07968 229 359 anytime!