Paris – February 18th, Nissan is proud to announce the second urban
mountain bike freeriding series taking place in five European cities. With
the $250,000 prize purse available, Nissan shows their continued support
of the mountain biking scene & its competitors.
Last year’s series marked a landmark in freeride mountain biking events.
Tens of thousands of spectators, the worlds international press & broadcasters
followed the tour to show their huge support for the riders & the Nissan
Qashqai Challenge whilst the riders excelled to new heights in a bid to prove
themselves the most “Urban proof”.
The Nissan Qashqai Challenge 2008 will consist of five contests in Italy,
Spain, Germany, France and the UK.
With the help & feedback of the NQC riders committee Nissan have made
several changes to the 2008 format including the addition of Open events.
By splitting the series into 2 Opens & 3 Challenge events, Nissan have
opened up the contest to a wider range of riders whilst also allowing the
top 15 riders from the 07 series the opportunity to focus on peaking for
the final three Challenges & 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 unbelievable skills in order to become
the freeride champion of the year.
Quote: Darren Berrecloth, 07 winner of the NQC overall series: ”Nissan’s
support of the mountain biking scene is fantastic! Last year the Qashqai
Challenge provided myself & the other tour riders with some of the most
insane courses to ride & add to that the incredible prize fund
that was on offer, well that just proves that the QC is serious MTB’ing
fixture.”
Andreu Lacondeguy doing a Superman Flip? Photo ~ David
Ulrich. Click image to enlarge.
Quote: Jean-Pierre Diernaz, GM Marketing Communications, Nissan Europe: “Nissan
are committed to taking the exhilarating sport of MTB freeriding to the next
level and driving its international recognition. With our focus for 2008
on discovering and inspiring new talent, Nissan are looking forward to an
even more exciting second series.”
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. Tour
Director Tarek Rasouli mentions:” 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!”
The whole Nissan Qashqai Challenge will take place in late April and during
the whole of May. Five back-to-back weekends will provide Europe with first
class mountain bike action in the heart of its most beautiful countries & cities.
Rabid tifosi. Photo ~ David Ulrich. Click image to enlarge.
Event dates 2008:
Saturday April 25th/26th Nissan Qashqai Challenge Open: Milan, Italy
Saturday May 2nd/3rd Nissan Qashqai Challenge Open: Madrid, Spain
Sunday May 11th Nissan Qashqai Challenge: Munich, Germany, 1 day event
Saturday May 17th Nissan Qashqai Challenge: Paris, France, 1 day event
Saturday May 24th Nissan Qashqai Challenge Grand Final: London, UK, 1 day
event
Paul Basagoitia Looks like a three whip to me. Photo ~ Yorick Carroux. Click
image to enlarge.
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 Web site from March 1st nissan-qashqaichallenge.com
What do you think? Last year there was some controversy about the
courses. Is this real mountain biking? Did Berrecloth deserve
all that prize money last year? Let 'er rip here.
