Bathurst Riders Cup race to continue, despite mild weather

Bathurst has finally achieved its spot on the Riders Cup extreme downhill racing circuit, but unseasonably warm temperatures have put the race, scheduled for the weekend, in jeopardy.

Bruno Richard, aBathurst nativeand Riders Cup athlete, hosted a similar event in the city last year to raise the profile of the College Hill course and showcase its strengths.

The All Terrain Skate Cross, the international federation that sanctions Riders Cup events, took notice, and included Bathurst on a tour that has also visited Germany, Austria, Finlandand several cities in Quebec.

"The teambuildingthe track did an unbelievable job.They started really early and that's what saved us," said Richard.

The track was constructed by students and volunteers from the city's community college.

"The base was so solid they were able to bring it back, top condition," said Richard.

Maintenance crews have covered the entire hill with snow to insulate the ice and keep it from melting further.

International athletes flock to Bathurst

Wellknown skaters, such asLuke Webb of Australia, Hubert Harvey of Quebecand Cameron Naasz, the current world leader in the sport, landed in BathurstonWednesday.

The race also has a women's category.

Heats were planned for Thursday evening, but have been pushed back to Friday at the earliest, leaving visitors plenty of time to explore Bathurst.

"My first race was in Quebec, then we went to Austria, then our Euro trip world tour started in Munich. We went to France after that and two races in Finland," saidAndrew Samson, a native ofMinnesota.

"It's cool to experience different parts of the country, the world. This is a smaller stop, but it's fun to see the small towns," he said.

Samson is an experienced skater and says Bathurst's course is unique because it is located at the heart of the city, while most Riders Cup events are held at ski hills.

"It's a huge deal. We have guys from the U.S.coming here, spending 10days, guys from Europe enjoying the area," said BrunoRichard.

"It'simportant to have alot of fans to show the world of ice cross downhill, show [sponsor]Red Bull and the ATSXthat we can do things well here in Bathurst, and you never know what can happen after that," he said.

Richard will also be racing on Friday and Saturday. He will be joined by several local amateur skaters and a handful of more experienced races from southern New Brunswick.

"We hope to get 5,000people here. Last year it was- 30degrees and we had 3,000people," he said.

Admission to the event is free.