2012 4X Pro Tour Dates and Locations Announced

via Scott Beaumont

After the shock decision by the UCI to drop 4X from the Mountain Bike World Cup Series at the end of the 2011 season, the 4X Alliance have been working hard to ensure a new 4X series was created for the 2012 season. After what will be remembered as the finest year for 4X in 2011 since the sports creation, we are pleased to announce that for 2012 a new 4X Series has been formed. We are extremely happy to announce the launch of the ‘4X Pro Tour’.

2012 4X Pro Tour venues and dates:

Round 1 – Houffalize, Belgium – 14th April
Round 2 – Szczawno Zdroj, Poland – 5th May
Round 3 – Val Di Sole, Italy – 2nd June
Round 4 – Fort William, UK – 9th June
Round 5 – TBC

Round 5 is being worked on right now and we hope to announce that venue in the new year.

The 4X Alliance have been working with the UCI and race organisers to create the new 4X Pro Tour. As you can see from the calendar, we are stoked that some of the existing World Cup events have made this statement and continued with their belief that 4X should be on the World stage in 2012. Houffalize, Val Di Sole and Fort William will all host rounds of the 2012 4X Pro Tour alongside World Cup XC and DH during those weekends.

The guys behind the new series are Chris Roberts and Scott Beaumont.

Chris Roberts said: "4X has been gaining popularity over the past few years and after the UCI announced it would not be part of the World Cup in 2012, we knew we had to create our own series and continue to grow the sport’. 2012 will be important for the development of 4X and together with some fantastic support from organisers, riders and fans, we are looking forward to an awesome season in 2012."

Scott Beaumont agreed: "4X is a fantastic sport and to see the UCI just wipe it out of the World Cup when so many organisers, riders and fans love the sport just seemed crazy to me. Together with Chris, we have worked hard to put together a new Pro Tour for 4X riders and we are looking forward to a future where we can help to grow 4X around the World."

The 2012 4X Pro Tour already has the support of all of the World’s finest 4X racers. Czech favourites Tomas Slavik and current World Champion Michal Prokop, Joost Wichman and his new 4X team, Women’s World Champion Anneke Beerten and her arch rival Melissa Buhl are all confirmed to be competing in the Tour in 2012.

So it’s a new beginning for the sport of 4X and the new 4X Pro Tour.

There are exciting times ahead. We have plans to add new events and locations into the 2013 Pro Tour to take 4X racing to the streets and the public in venues all around the World that we just could not fit into the 2012 4X Pro Tour at such short notice.

It's been really hard work and an incredible adventure so far, but with the fantastic support and belief in the sport from organisers in Belgium, Poland, Italy & Scotland we have an amazing season planned for 2012.

We look forward to seeing you all trackside in 2012.

For all the up to date news, please ‘like’ our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/4xprotour

The website is being constructed right now. Please keep an eye on www.4xprotour.com

For any enquires on the series, please email: chris@nakedracing.com or hello@beaumontracing.com