Following the success of the 2008 Alpine Bikes Winter Downhill Series, Innerleithen will once again play host to some nippy (in all senses) DH action for 2009.

There'll be two race weekends, 31 January/1 February and 28 February/1 March. The format is planned to include practise all day on Saturday, more practise on Sunday morning and then a single race run on Sunday afternoon.

Alpine Bikes's Bryan Shedden says:

"Alpine Bikes was keen to continue the success of the winter races from last year and we're delighted to join with the SDA this year to organise the races. I'm looking forward to two great weekends of racing on the famous Innerleithen downhill tracks. I'd like to thank both Trek and Fox clothing for their support to the only winter races in Scotland."

Details on how to enter are available online at www.alpinebikes.com (where you'll also find details of Alpine's eight shops across Scotland), with full details of the event and on-line entry at www.sda-races.com.