Nissan Qashqai Challenge Brings Freeriding's Finest To Tate Modern - page 2

16-05-2008 16:19

Course builders from all over the world will work together to create individual dirt and wood tracks for the event, setting a new standard in the sport.

Darren Berrecloth, Canadian winner of the 2007 Nissan QASHQAI Challenge series said: "Nissan's support of the mountain biking scene is fantastic! Last year the QASHQAI Challenge provided me and the other tour riders with some of the most insane courses to ride, and add to that the incredible prize fund that was on offer, that just proves that the QASHQAI Challenge is a serious mountain biking fixture."

Urban freeriding is the most progressive discipline in mountain biking and illustrates the changing trend of focus from open woodland areas into urban city centres.

Andy Connell, Nissan Motor (GB) Limited's senior manager for marketing communications, said: "The Nissan Sports Adventure Programme is committed to adventure sports and aims to inspire hundreds of thousands of people by bringing freeride mountain biking from the slopes of the mountain to the streets of the city.

"We're incredibly excited about staging the second Nissan QASHQAI Challenge, particularly following last year's success. We're expecting thousands of spectators to

attend the event and watch as the world's best riders take part in the grand final of the Challenge.

"The partnership with the Street Art exhibition at Tate Modern also enables us to maximise the sense of 'urban adventure' and provides the event with the perfect location by using an art form that re-interprets the urban environment in the same way the QASHQAI does."

The 2008 format has undergone a series of changes with feedback from the Nissan QASHQAI Riders Committee, including the addition of open events.

By splitting the series into two opens & two challenge events, Nissan has opened up the contest to a wider range of riders. Five winners from each open event will have the chance to compete against the 15 professional riders at the challenge events. The winners from these challenges will then compete in the grand final in London.

The events leading up to the grand final of the Nissan QASHQAI Challenge in the UK are Milan, Italy (25-26 April); Madrid, Spain (2-3 May); and Munich, Germany (11 May).

Visit the Nissan QASHQAI Challenge website for more information on the competition at www.nissan-qashqaichallenge.com