Events: Nissan Qashqai Challenge: Series 2

It's been a long wet winter at the Bike offices. But as we bid adieu to February the impending mountain bike season is beginning to feel like it's right around the corner. Two mid-March events, The St. Patty's Day Feast and The Keysville Classic, start our '08 SoCal race season only to be followed one month later by the Sea Otter Classic, then the 24 Hours at Vail. On top of all that we just received the '08 schedule for the second-annual Qashqai Challenge and it begins the same weekend continuing on for five back-to-back weekends through May.

The second-annual Qashqai urban mountain bike freeride series will be taking place in five European cities over a five-week span with a $250,000 prize purse. Last year’s series marked a landmark in freeride mountain biking events. Ten’s of thousands of spectators, the world's international press and broadcasters followed the tour to show their huge support for the riders and the Nissan Qashqai Challenge whilst the riders excelled to new heights.

The Nissan Qashqai Challenge 2008 will consist of five contests in Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the UK.

With the help and feedback of the NQC riders committee Nissan have made several changes to the 2008 format including the addition of Open events, which any rider can apply to participate in. By splitting the series into 2 Opens and 3 Challenge events, Nissan have opened up the contest to a wider range of riders while also allowing the top 15 riders from the '07 series the opportunity to focus on peaking for the final three Challenges and grand final. During the first two stops in Milan (Italy) and Madrid (Spain), ten riders will be given the opportunity to qualify for the final three Challenge events in Munich (Germany), Paris (France) and London (United Kingdom). In addition to those 10 riders, the top 15 of the last year’s Qashqai overall ranking will join them in the final three Challenge events. In total there will be 25 of the world’s best mountain bikers showing off their skills in order to become the freeride champion of the year.

”Nissan’s support of the mountain biking scene is fantastic! Last year the Qashqai Challenge provided myself and the other tour riders with some of the most insane course’s to ride and add to that the incredible prize fund that was on offer, well that just proves that the QC is serious MTB’ing fixture,” said '07 Qashqai winner Darren Berecloth.

Course builders from all over the world will work together to provide an individual touch to each of the events. Be anxious to see nice shaped tracks out of dirt and wood. The courses will set a new standard in the sport.

"In 2008 we will step it up again. We will use more dirt for the courses at the five events, so the riders enjoy the courses even more and are better protected when they crash. Since we included the Open events, we can guarantee that the world’s best riders will participate in the tour. Riders from all over the world can apply to participate in the Qashqai Open events!” remarked tour director Tarek Rasouli

The Nissan Qashqai Challenge will begin in late April and during the month of May. Five back-to-back weekends will provide Europe with first class mountain bike action in the heart of its most beautiful countries and cities.

Event dates 2008:
Saturday April 25th/26th Open: Milan, Italy
Saturday May 2nd/3rd Open: Madrid, Spain
Sunday May 11th Munich, Germany, 1 day event
Saturday May 17th Paris, France, 1 day event
Saturday May 24th Grand Final: London, UK, 1 day event

Last year’s top 15 of the Qashqai Challenge have already gained entry into the Challenge events through their NQC ranking from '07:

Darren Pokoj (AUS)
Ben Boyko (CAN)
Brandon Semenuk (CAN)
Darren Berrecloth (CAN)
Benny Korthaus (GER)
Amir Kabbani (GER)
Andreu Lacondeguy (ESP)
Lance McDermott (UK)
Grant Fielder (UK)
Paul Basagoitia (USA)
Cameron McCaul (USA)
Greg Watts (USA)
Kyle Strait (USA)
Adam Hauck (USA)
Jamie Goldman (USA)

More information and rider application forms can be found by visiting the official NQC website from March 1st www.nissan-qashqaichallenge.com