Bermuda Bicycle Association will take their Winner’s Edge Mountain Bike National Championship to Southlands this weekend.

Typically held at Ferry Reach, the event has been moved to what Peter Dunne, the BBA president, said was a “stunning location.”

The course will make use of the grounds and the run down buildings, with tunnels, walls and staircases all incorporated in Sunday’s event.

“Why wouldn’t you use it,” Dunne said. “It’s a pretty cool place, the tomb of the old hotel is there, and it’s just an interesting, amazing place.”

As the regular Flying Colours Mountain Bike Series holds events at Ferry Reach, organisers wanted to do something different for the national championships, and volunteers have been helping to clear the grounds along with members from the Parks Department.

“While the competition course uses only a small fraction of the property, spectators and participants will be treated to the many natural and man-made features of this former estate,” Dunne said.

Racing begins at 9am with Junior Male, Junior Female and Open Female races. The Junior Male race will be one of the more closely watch as the off-road season has highlighted the abilities of several young riders.

Dylan Hill, Kaden Hopkins, Robin Horsfield and Matthew Oliveira should provide the fireworks to the race. All four of them have had strong racing seasons and come into the event eager for the national title.

The final race of the morning will be the Open Male category, with racing lasting 75 minutes on a course of constant ups and downs and several very technical sections.

Che’quan Richardson and Deshi Smith will represent the lower age range of the category while posing as serious contenders to the title while seasoned riders such as Mark Hatherley bring greater experience on dealing with the duration of the event.