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In Episode 4 of season 8 Neil Matt and Xan look back on the past few weeks of racing. This included Xan’s ongoing adventures in Sweden as well as her return to the Koppenburg. Matt is back from the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, and whilst the tech remained bug free… he got infected by a virus and so a little croaky today 🦠.
They look back on the south Shields National trophy where both Neil and Xan were racing. The course was fast, but remained a challenge. It should be a worthy venue for the 2026 National Championships.
They also talk through the European championships, which gave race after race of action, even if team GB were conspicuous by their absence. But don’t fret - the legend Vic Barnett still brought home a Masters gold medal🥇to Welland Valley.They debate the merits of gravel racing and are pretty much in agreement that it’s a good thing for the sport as a whole although riders will struggle to excel in both, if they try to jump straight from gravel into cyclocross without a break. Ask Xan if you need details!
In the Laatste Ronde they preview the upcoming national trophy coming from Torbay, which is expected to be a contrast to what we saw at the first two rounds. But there might also be a contrast to what we’ve experienced there in the past considering the weather forecast for the next few weeks. Time will tell whether we get another ‘Paignton’ course that will cut up and result in Ton of Pain. Will we see a repeat with plenty of bike changes or are we going to get something fast and a new experience for racing down in Devon?
Please remember to support the show and support those that support the sport! Pop over to Buy Me a Coffee to help us with Crosscast costs, make sure that you give Xan and her team Spectra pals a shout, and drop by the Grity shop or website to take a look at some riding kit goodness.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Epidode 3 of Season 8 Neil, Matt and Xan look back on One National Trophy, Two races in Sweden, and Three Peaks.
They remember 2017’s Season 1 Episode 2 of The Crosscast when they mentioned Zoe Roche and Finlay Goodman who were U10s. Class shows… Zoe just won Juniors at the Derby National Trophy and Finlay just won the Junior World X-Terra title. Awesome.
In Crosstalk, Neil re-lives a memorable 3 Peaks, that certainly went to plan… but maybe the plan wasn’t perfect? They talk through how Jenson Young just didn’t have fortune on his side, and how Giles Drake’s luck flipped from the 2022 edition, this time retaining his title, along with Bryony Halcrow. Neil managed to join Lotta in 2nd place parent-daughter which he will always be delighted with, but of course try to beat next time.
Round 1 of the National Trophy from Derby delivered close racing at the front of the women’s race with Baker, Kay and our Xan Crees taking the podium and Xan tells us what happened in that final half lap. While Mein took a solid win ahead of the Barnes duo, behind there were huge bunches forming and breaking with early (or is it late?) season form being put to the test.
Xan recounts her second and first place finishes in what sounds like an awesome series coming from Stockholm. Get out there next year, people!
Of course the much-viewed Ryan Kamp / Eli Iserbyt stamping and DQ are discussed. It wasn’t a great look for the sport… unlike Lars Van der Haar taking his first victory in a well controlled race where he waited and went at exactly the right time.
In the Laatste Ronde they ask whether anyone repairs tubs these days, and highlight the amazing support on offer from leagues, including WMCCL, as well as Ride for Charlie.
They also preview Round 2 of the National Trophy giving you all the information you need to get the best out of your weekend of North East action in South Shields.
And just to round out all 4 points of the compass, will the West Wind blow after Neil cursed the Tyneside weather?
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
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In Episode 2 of Season 8 Neil and Matt are joined by Spectra’s Xan Crees fresh from her complete set of Hope Supercross finishes. They reflect on how the series has quickly become established and has attracted riders from across the world to the joys of Yorkshire Cross. They highlight who is standing out as starting the season on form and who has more to give.
In the Laatste Ronde they preview the awesomeness that is the Three Peaks coming in a few days. Xan gives her top tips on what to expect as a rider supporter, and Neil gives his thoughts on his entry. It’s wide open again but there are some fresh faces racing it for the first time who are serious contenders.
The National Trophy kicks off in a few days - don’t forget your entries! (and don’t forget to support the new fun race 😃). Round 1 is back to Derby, one of the most popular venues of the season. Listen in for all the latest and have fun out there!Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 1 of Season 8, Neil and Matt look forward to the 2024-25 Cyclocross Season. It is a very strange one in terms of calendar that will come in a series of distinct chapters
September is all about Yorkshire. We kick off with the Hope Supercross series of 4 UCI C2 races in the UK in a short block - a must for anyone chasing the UCI points. Then there is the diversion westwards for the Three Peaks which Neil is returning to… listen to Episodes 2 and 3 for his plans and whether they worked!
The National Trophy is fairly standard this year, back to it's tried-and-tested weekend race schedule and kicking off in Derby, and running through to January, visiting tried-and-tested venues. There is the new fun race (sponsored by Grity) which gives opportunity for racing to those who might be otherwise occupied on the Saturday, rather similar to the fun race at the National MTB Series that has been a great success. Get your entries in and give it a go!
After the European Champs, we get the first World Cup which accelerates into an ultra-packed two months of action that could be awesome, with some FAN-tastic double-header weekends, and an opportunity for global riders to base themselves in Europe and compete for the entire series, although there are no races any more than about 1000 km from Full Speed Events' studio near Limoges - i.e. 100% EU.
The finale of the season will come from the National Champs from Cyclopark and the World Champs from Lievin, France, at which we will be having the annual Crosscast Podium Picker competition!
Stay tuned for what promises to be another cross-tastic season.
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 12 of Season 7, Neil Mansfield and Matt Payne are joined by Ian Field to review the 2024 World Championships that came from Tabor, Czechia. The weekend started with a compelling team relay where strategy was key, and where GB were just pipped to the line by France. Surely this race needs to be covered in full with dedicated graphics to make it more accessible to the less obsessive CX fans out there?
They talk through how day 1 saw Gery take her second jersey of the weekend and how the race with Ferguson could have unfolded differently in a different universe. U23 men and Elite women's races went to form, with Van Empel's huge win being the biggest gap for years... this caused Neil's Crosscast podium prediction score to be scuppered - yes he is still gutted.
A badly timed puncture meant Sparfel could not make it 3 golds for France but gifted the win to wobbly-wheel Viezzi. The predicted but no less impressive dominations from Backstedt and Van Der Poel give Ian, Matt, and Neil plenty to talk about, not least of which was Matt's impromptu invitation to / unintentional gatecrashing of Zdenek Stybar's family party.
The biggest take-aways from the weekend are that we have worthy winners of the jerseys, France are on the up with a mega strong squad 12 months from a home World Champs, and that each of Ian, Neil and Matt were shown up by their family members in terms of predicting the podiums.
One more show, and then it's season's end. See you then.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 11 of Season 7, Neil and Matt are joined by cyclocross talent, coach extraordinaire, and commentator on Discovery+, Ian Field. They review the 14th round of the World Cup that came from Hoogerheide and query whose form is peaking when... some were at the end of a training block to prepare for the World Championships, and others seem to be coming along just nicely potentially challenging for a jersey next weekend.
They discuss whether Belgian Cyclocross is going through a rough patch with few of the podium places at the race or series going back to the country, with the Netherlands taking home most of the prizes this year in the World Cup. They talk through whether 14 rounds is too many, or whether reducing it would undermine the concept of a series and allow riders to just dip in for part of the season and still take the series. They also agree that the points in the U23 competition are plain silly daft, and should be fixed for next year - an easy change that will make it fairer.
In the Laatste Ronde they preview the biggest weekend of 2024, CX WORLDS coming from Tabor, Czechia. They talk through the course and each category in detail. This is unmissable listening for anyone wanting to get the most out of the World Champs or just impress your friends with your detailed knowledge straight from those who have raced there multiple times, or at least worked in the pits 😁.
Neil, Matt and Ian make their predictions... can YOU do better? Join in at the Annual Crosscast Competition that you can find here. Please share with your clubs, teams, friends and family to see who can do the best.
https://forms.office.com/e/s5bWfqRaLL
Enjoy the weekend!Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 10 of Season 7 Neil and Matt look back on a fabulous Falkirk National Championships with its perfect January weather, superb location, awesome atmosphere and cracking course. They talk through each of the UCI category races, with Mason defending his jersey and Kay taking the title for the first time. Both were popular wins with the local crowd for Mason and Kay having been a CX pro for a while, and the win coming 5 years after her first time on the National elite podium.
They talk through the action from further down the elite field, things that were not shown on the TV coverage. The juniors saw Ferguson have an impressively dominant ride worthy of someone ready to take on the World's best with her imminent movi to Movistar, and first year Oscar Amey took the Junior Men's title meaning that the jersey will be on show next season.
They talk through the National Champs from other nations including the Netherlands and Belgian races with a host of winners coming with season back-stories.
Benidorm World cup is reviewed, a race that saw a huge amount of grit on show for all of the podium finishers, none of whom had an easy ride, with Alvarado repeatedly chasing down the dynamic duo at the front, and even Van der Poel showing that he can have a bad day.
The big question remains... if the commentator's curse is real, should Matt take some of the blame/credit for Van Aert's tumble on the hurdles that delivered even more action at the race finale?Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 9 of Season 7, Neil and Matt pull together a bumper show as a special for those of you who have long drive to Falkirk to watch or even race at the British National Cyclocross Championships.
The final round of the 23-24 Trophy is reviewed, a race that came from Tong where a respectably rideable course was a great achievement for a race that coincided with serious floods and waterlogged ground across much of the UK. They also talk through what makes an event a success... and agree that it is much more than just a race course.
They finally open the can of worms reviewing practicalities of the National Trophy, geeking out over numbers and asking whether the drop in competitors this year is the next step in a multi-year decline and question why. Neil quizzes Matt on whether he can guess which 4 National Trophies have had the highest and lowest entries over the last 7 years (go on... can YOU work it out?!).
While much of the show is a deep dive into organisation, there is also plenty of racing covering the World Cups from Hulst and Zonhoven, and also a bit of Baal with a side of Koksijde.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to what is set to be an enthralling National Championships from a spectacular venue with hugely competitive fields across all categories. Will the favorites bring home a jersey or could some wildcards spring a surprise?...
Can Imogen Wolff challenge for an U23 podium riding up from Juniors or could she be battling with Nikki Brammeier (who was on the U23 podium the year Wolff was born)? And listeners, we hope that you take careful note of the family battles... can younger brothers get the better of the older in the Askey, Barnes, Chilton, and Amey households?Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 8 of Season 7, Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by cycling icon, Canyon SRAM sports director, and expert pit crew Magnus Bäckstedt.
They review the first half of the kersteperiod that has featured fully loaded A-Z of start lists (Alvarado to Zoe Bäckstedt) a featuring World Cups with the sand of Antwerp and the mud of Gavere. They talk through a great edition of Zolder with Van Aert clocking up a hat trick of consecutive Zolder wins, and the annual excitement of Diegem.
The incident involving Matthieu Van Der Poel and Felipe Nystrom is unpacked, with views exchanged on how to keep the front of the race clean, while keeping racing further down the field meaningful.
They also talk through some great form from Del Grosso, Cant, Mason and up and coming juniors Ferguson and Wolff.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to Hulst (fun fun fun), Baal (hmmm), Koksijde (over-rated), and Zonhoven (woohoo!).
They preview Tong National Trophy, the final round for 23-24 season... and Magnus gives a Crosscast Exclusive that Zoe Bäckstedt will not be defending her National title for 2024, as she prepares for the World Champs.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 7 of Season 7 Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by Lars Van Der Haar, simply one of the most successful cyclocross riders of his generation.
They talk about the cyclocross community and fitting in family with CX, as well as how young riders can be inspired to pursue sport by the pros.
While chatting through the action from Herentals and Namur they talk through race tactics and how the Van Der Holeshot can be important in keeping a race under control, and of course they mention the fabulous starts from Matthieu Vanderpoel and Ruby James (💪💪💪).
Lars reflects on how an early puncture at Namur meant he needed to chase for the whole race, although Pidcock was, as expected, in his element on the Citadel. They also discuss how Alvarado, Brand, van Empel and Pieterse are peaking in form.
In the Laatste Ronde they talk through rider-favorites from the Kersteperiod, and how Lars will be missing Zolder this year despite having a fantastic track record there.
The big question remains... will Lars ever manage to add Richard Groenendaal's autograph to his collection?Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 6 of Season 7 Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by legend of cyclocross development Steve Grimwood. Neil and Steve were both fresh back from the Masters World Championships from Hamburg that turned out to be a proper winter wonderland, giving Val di Sole a run for its money in terms of snow and ice.
Neil reports back on his experiences in Germany, and some of the many memorable GB performances that included titles for John McGrath, Sally Reid, and Luke Mahoney.
They cover Flamanville that will be remembered for the ducks as much as the racing.
Val di Sole marked that half-way point in the World Cup and delivered some popular new World Cup winners in Bakker and Nieuwenhuis both of whom showed how to stay chilled under pressure in the snow.
In extremely changeable conditions Gravesend delivered some new Elite UCI winners in Xan Crees and Ben Chilton, both of whom showed their strengths on a technical and difficult circuit finishing ahead of top class opposition, including the returning Millie Couzens and Isla Short.
Steve, Matt and Neil discuss just how often the unexpected happens in cyclocross, whether it's ducks on the course, fires in the arena, dramatically changing conditions, or the main course inadvertently not being opened after the start loop, and how it must be taken on board by riders and support teams. Steve gives an insight into what must be considered by the organisers when the unexpected happens and quick decisions are needed.
Before entering the Laatste Ronde they discuss the breaking news that Tong will not be a UCI race, but then go on to preview Namur and consider what races would be good for Pidcock, Van Aert and Van der Poel to make their returns.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 5 of Season 7 Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by cyclocross talent Ruby James, having her best season for ages and doing those Hope Factory Racing colours proud. They talk through her experiences racing at the World Cups in Troyes and Dublin and how she has worked with the Hope crew to get the best out of her season.
They discuss the Paignton National Trophy that delivered a challenging and fun course, mixing up mud, a bit of running, and some open faster sections.
Neil reports back on his block vising several local leagues (3 cracking venues and totally different in character), in his run up to the Masters World Champs from an icy Hamburg, which is where he will be when the show is uploaded.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to Trophy 5 from Cyclopark and the already iconic Ride for Charlie steps, and World Cups from the city of flames (Flamanville) and the valley of sun (Val di Sole).
And most importantly it's great to hear that Matt is recovering well after his scary high-speed crash in France, with a life-saver helmet and emergency transfer to l'hôpital.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 4 of Season 7 Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by GB coach and CX guru Matt Ellis. Matt E was fresh back from the European Champs that saw GB feature on 4 of the 7 podiums with a win and three silvers across Team, Junior, U23 and Elite in male and female categories.
They talk about EvoDevo https://www.evodevocycling.org.uk/ and how much it is benefiting GB riders at a key time of development. They are back from the first trip and planning on Trip 2, which you can help with the CrowdFunder link above.
The National Trophy from Derby is covered: a course that needed finesse and skill as well as power, and Neil tells a tale of a lap 2 puncture 😭 that sealed 😁 but despite the 'send it through the ruts and hope' strategy, meant that he never really got established in the race.
They talk through how Koppenberg gave an opportunity to enjoy some outstanding technique, and hinted at form ahead of the European Championships. Pontchateau was almost cancelled due to the storm but Neil and Matts were blown away by some excellent GB performances, and development for those further down in the fields.
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the Torbay Trophy and World Cups from Dendermonde that has an intriguing start list, especially as Mason and Bäckstedt have taken wins there in the past and will be on a high after Euros, and Troyes that looks like a classic French course (and you can take your pick on whether to go with the Yorkshire or French pronunciation).Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 3 of Season 7 Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by top USA talent Keira Bond (@keira.bond). Keira has recently made an impact on the UK scene, racing cyclocross for @cxdtrekbikes and already a regular podium visitor. Keira gives us a great insight into the USA scene, and the Waterloo World Cup course, as a rider who raced it last year.
Neil and Keira reflect on their experiences at round 2 of the National Trophy from Thornton Hall, both of whom feeling like they have unfinished business and looking forward to a reset and restart at Derby. They get into a detailed discussion of how to describe mud, using the full vocabulary that only true cyclocrossers can appreciate. Matt prompts Neil to express some of the benefits of the new NT schedule because they've not had as much profile as the negative aspects that are widely shared on the socials.
They question how to remember the 2023 Waterloo World Cup - both Nys and Van Empel gave a masterclass but in such different ways, one of them being flamboyant and exciting and the other skilled and controlled.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to a top couple of weeks racing including Derby National Trophy, where Neil gives Keira all his top tips, as well as Maasmechelen from where Matt will providing UCI commentary, and everyone's favorite Koppenburgcross which Neil loves so much he put it on a T-shirt 😉. Then we have European and Pan-Am Champs, of which Keira is already a veteran.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 2 of Season 7 Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by 'CXOli' - Oli Akers - from Ribble Verge cyclocross team. Oli brings us up to speed on his MTB camp with Trek Future Racing and his speedy start to his season, characterised by his speedy starts.
Neil and Oli go into fine detail on their racing in South Shields, how they found the course, and how Oli managed to come on top in a sprint and Neil... didn't (oh come on... it was a photo finish with identical times to the 10th!). The men's race had a familiar podium with Mein and Barnes Bros taking the 1-2-3 but the women's race had a new winner in Elenor Day (yes, my top tip 😂) followed by Baker and James with a result showing she's back on awesome form and ready to take on the CX season. Keira Bond finished in a strong 4th, fresh over to the UK from USA, and someone we hope will be able to race the whole season.
Matt, Oli and Neil discuss the biggest talking point of the weekend, the change in schedule, which certainly changed the feel of the event... is it too soon to see whether it is better or worse on balance?
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to next round of the National Trophy coming from a new venue at Thornton Hall. A course that is described as being either up or down or the pits, and on the same site where you can pick pumpkins can hug a baby goat. What's not to like?
They also preview the first round of the World Cup due to come from TREK's car park at Waterloo. Could this be the first World Cup win for Nys Jr or will the more established riders pick up where they left off last season. Since recording the show the start list has been published and it includes several exciting names from the MTB world including former winner Neff, but also has a lot of names missing. Essential viewing for sure.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
The Crosscast is back! In Episode 1 of season 7, Neil and Matt are joined in the studio, by freshly crowned National Elite gravel champion Xan Crees. They get the inside story of Xan's win for Spectra Cannondale over at the Kings Cup National Championships.
Before the cyclo-cross purists get too jittery, they quickly refocus on the early cyclocross season, reflecting on the Hope Supercross series, the three UCI C2 races, promoted in partnership with CX North East, North West Cyclocross Association, and Yorkshire Cyclocross League. It was certainly a good stretch of the legs early season, and a mini-series that has lots of great features and will hopefully grow in future years.
Whilst Neil missed racing The Three Peaks, Xan was able to bring some course-side insights being support crew for team Spectra, and experience of the grizzle weather. Huge congratulations to everyone that finished the epic event. It was of course fantastic to see Giles Drake (Wheelbase) come over the line having taken the overall win after a catalogue of misfortune in the past. Bryony Halcrow took the women’s win in dominant fashion being the only woman to come in under four hours.
They get into the detail of ranking points in the UK, and at the UCI. It will certainly be interesting to see if the alterations to the British Cycling ranking point system will make any difference to rider race programs, whether it will encourage riders to travel more or to travel less, and whether it will give some of the smaller leagues a boost in some of their categories.
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the next big rice on the calendar UK, round one of the National Trophy coming from South Shields. It happens to clash with the world gravel champs which means a few front runners might be missing for this race but of course we are just speculating here 😉.
Neil‘s cat decided to call an end to the show when it attacked his microphone, but I am happy to report that both cat and Neil are fully recovered from the altercation.
@thecrosscast @crosscastneil @mattfixerpayne @xancrees @the_grity_kitySupport the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 15 of Season 6, Neil and Matt look back on the season as a whole and reflect on the final standings in the X2O and Superprestige series.
In a season that was affected by injury and incident, but kept fresh by having close racing at the front week in, week out, they decide on their own riders of the year for UK female (with shortlist including Baker, Backstedt, Crees, Strathdee, Weijack, Day), and UK male (with shortlist including Barnes, Akers, Mason, Pidcock)... and then World female (with shortlist including Holmgren(s), Van Anrooij, Pieterse, Van Empel) and World male (with shortlist including Van Aert, Van der Poel, Sweeck, Iserbyt). They also select their UK race of the year (with shortlist including Clanfield, Ispwich Masters Worlds, Derby, Falkirk, South Shields) and World race of the year (with shortlist including Diegem, Hoogerheide, Zonhoven, Hulst, Benidorm). What do you think?
They look forward to next season's World Cup with its similar calendar to last year but now down to just one non-European date. They also review the recently announced 23-24 UK National Trophy series that is looking like it will be another cracker, despite the only UK UCI race listed (at the moment) being the European Cup race at Clanfield. It has to be said that UK Trophy race organisers are doing an awesome job at the moment 10/10 :-)
But... they both get a bit argumentative when it comes to the change in race schedule which makes them both a tad baffled of how it will work practically, and whether it will achieve what it sets out to, or end up being counter productive. Hopefully more clarity will come over the next 6 months.
And finally - thanks all the guests who have made this season a joy to record, and all the buymeacoffee donors who have enabled the Crosscast to exist. You rock.
See you on the other side of the summer.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 14 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are joined by Ian Field to review the 2023 World Championships that came from Hoogerheide. Matt, just back from UCI / BBC commentary duties, Ian, just back from GCN / Eurosport commentary duties, and Neil, just back from sofa duties, reflect on a weekend that started with a GB Silver in the relay, and built to what will inevitably become an iconic sprint finish in the elite men's competition, between Van Aert and Van der Poel.
After a Canadian 1-2 in the women's juniors and compared to what we have become accustomed to, a noticable lack of Dutch and Belgian riders in the younger catergories, they discuss how the profile of CX might be changing. They talk how Van Anrooij definitely made the right decision to race U23 lining up the possibility to be the first woman to collect all three world champs jerseys, and Backstedt who could well aim to beat her to it.
And did the Netherlands teams gift Nys the win by poor tyre choice?... and should Van Aert have at least considered a 'plan b' for the final sprint? Word of the day must be - bamboozled.
Before looking ahead to the final races of the season, they give a run down of how well they did in the Crosscast World Champs Prediction competition.
And stop press... the announcement came in during recording... Van Empel will race to end of the season after all, Lucinda must be gutted.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 13 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are joined by cyclocross talent and 5 times British Champion, Ian Field. They look back on the final two races of the World Cup that both delivered the unexpected. Benidorm, a fast race that was reminiscent of the early season dry events, was full of action and, in the end, decided the World Cup series with Sweeck and Van Empel taking the titles.
They also review the rather strange weekend before the World Champs with Besançon no longer being quite the World Cup finale as expected, but giving a fitting French finale to Chainel's career, but others with a whole host of different agendas.
The main focus of the show is previewing the upcoming Hoogerheide World Championships, a venue that Ian has raced 9 times. They look at what to expect from the course and where to expect the action. They also give their predictions, tips and insight into each of the 7 races. Can you do any better with your predictions?
Pop over to https://tinyurl.com/crosscast2023 to give YOUR tips 😎.
And over the weekend, you can get to hear both Matt and Ian giving TV commentary on GCN and the UCI depending on where you are.Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. -
In Episode 12 of Season 6, Neil and Matt take a look at CX fashion week, where riders decide who is going to be wearing which colours for the next season. Naturally they focus on the UK Champs that came from Milnthorpe with its extra contribution to the 'Lake' District. The look at the thrills and spills that came from a tough course that really split the fields and ended up with the fewest riders finishing on the lead lap for many years.
They also look back at how the extended points regime in the National Trophy has resulted in much more interesting racing for the non-elite riders, and a motivation for many to complete the whole series.
Looking to Europe, they review action from key nations including Ireland and the Netherlands, and of couse Belgium where Cant continued her phenomenal streak of winning every National Champs since 2009.
They also report on the news that Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus will be undergoing some big changes for next year... watch your feeds for news.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the MC* Hamme X2O and the finale of the 22-23 World Cup with racing coming from Benidorm and Besancon, with Benidorm looking like it will be a suprisingly packed field of CX talent. (*Marvellous Course)
And will we see even more escalation of the Vantourenhout / Sweeck battle on the bike?Support the show
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. - もっと表示する
