Following a decade of successful mountain biking events at Cannock Chase — including its international spotlight during the 2022 Commonwealth Games — we’re thrilled to announce the return of top-level racing to this world-class venue in April 2026.

 

 

Round 2 of the Lloyds National XC Series 2026 will be an especially exciting edition, marking the fourth anniversary of the Commonwealth Games with a celebration of elite cycling and community engagement.

 

We’re teaming up with Forestry England to deliver a UCI Class 1 XC event, hosted on the same course used during the Games. For the first time ever in the UK, this round will also form part of the UCI Junior World Cup Series and include a U23 UCI category, creating an unprecedented opportunity for young athletes to compete at the highest level on home soil. 

 

This milestone event aims to celebrate the sport’s legacy, inspire future riders, and attract elite national and international talent to Cannock Chase.

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Venue

 

Unlike in previous years, the HQ for the event will be at the main Forestry Centre (Birches Valley) which was used for the Commonwealth Games start and Finish. Tackeroo (the normal site) will be used for but camping only. Parking will be at the main Forestry Centre. This will be chargeable but at a subsidised rate for those racing. They won't be any camping available at Birches Valley as this is not permitted by the landowner. 

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Address: Birches Valley, Rugeley, WS15 2UQ

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Course

 

This will be a one off opportunity to ride the course used during the Commonwealth Games. We're incredibly lucky that the Forestry have agreed to close a number of sections of the Red and Blue route so we can race on these trails. The kids and short course will take place on the Friday and race around event arena, in and out of the woods with a good mix of single track, fast flowing trails and open sections. 

 

 

Entry Closing Details

 

For the 2026 season, the standard closing date will be 23:55 on the Sunday prior to the event.  We will then be offering a late entry option running for 3 days, from noon on the Monday until noon on the Thursday of the event week.  This will be at double the standard entry fee.  Anyone who enters under this option will skip the gridding process due to time constraints and will start at the back of the field.  The caveat to this is the Fun race; open to any competitor in the year of their 13th birthday or older, which will remain open until noon on the Thursday at the standard price.

 

Standard entries for R2 close on the 05/04/26 @23:55

Late entries for R2 run from the 06/04/26 @12:00 - 09/04/26 @12:00 

 

NO FURTHER LATE ENTRIES AFTER THIS POINT

 

Anyone holding a licence issued by British Cycling can enter the event as normal.

 

Anyone holding a licence issued by an Overseas Governing Body, please email a copy of the licence to marknulty@britishcycling.org.uk. 

 

Once the details have been checked, you will receive a code to enter the event using the 'Overseas Licence Holder' option.