A SPORT that merges snowboarding with mountain biking returns to the region this weekend for a competition organisers promise will be bigger and better than its inaugural event last year.

The bike and skate track at the former Spectrum Leisure Centre, in Willington, County Durham, will host the first round of mountainboarding’s RhythmX Series from noon tomorrow.

Around 20 riders from across the UK, including champion Matt Brind, are expected to compete but with free entry open ton the day there could be more.

Craig Coulson, a racer and organiser, said: “It is a great sport but still relatively unknown in the UK, especially up north so we hope to get more people interested and kids especially outside and active.

“There were about 15 riders last year and more expected this time so it promises to be bigger, and will be exciting to watch.”

Four-man races will be held and those with the fastest times go through to the knock-out stages, with three trophies up for grabs.