The Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails, the venue for the cross-country Mountain Bike competitions at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, were officially opened today (Tuesday, 18 June) and Team Scotland hopeful, Rab Wardell was on hand to show off his skills.

With only 400 days remaining until the start of the Games, the new £600,000 facility, which overlooks the city at Cathkin Braes Country Park, is now complete and open to the public.

An action-packed 5.5km circuit was designed by the renowned Phil Saxena, the man behind the Beijing Olympic course and several UCI World Cup venues, in partnership with an in-house team at Glasgow City Council.

The course features mixed terrain, such as moorland, woodland and hillside bedrock, in a stunning setting, with links to local cycle routes. It has graded technical trail features and path widths, meaning it is suitable for riders of all abilities; but more skilled athletes will have a time advantage during racing.

MC1.jpgMichael Cavanagh, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland, who was visiting the site for the first time said: “It is fantastic to see this Games venues now open, and also accessible to our top mountain bike athletes for training and competition to prior to the Games next year. Our athletes are really excited about a home Games and having this course on their doorstep will be of huge benefit in their preparations.

“Cathkin Braes will also be one of the iconic venues of the Games, overlooking the city and with some fantastic features that will test all of the riders and we urge the Scottish public to come out here and support us next year.”

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, added: “Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and there has already been huge interest in these trails from riders in the city and much further afield.

“This is a really exciting addition to Glasgow’s top class sporting facilities – and, like all of the council venues that will be used during the Games, it is open to the public more than a year before the Opening Ceremony.”