The Crosscast: Recent Episodes
Neil Mansfield, Matt Payne, Bruce Dalton and guests
Neil Mansfield, Bruce Dalton, Matt Payne and special guests talk about World, European and UK cyclocross. Follow us on @TheCrosscast @CrosscastNeil @BruceDaltonCX and @MattFixerPayne. And give us a like on Facebook where we put up occasional FBLive video.
Neil Mansfield is the host of the show and the cyclocross uber-geek. He races for Magspeed Racing and his family all love cross. He has been podcasting since 2015 and over-analysing racing using spreadsheets for a lot longer. He helps Caroline (Mrs M) run Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel. Find out more at https://linktr.ee/crosscastneil.
Bruce Dalton has raced cyclocross at the highest level and experienced the sport from the inside at most of the classic European venues. He is currently DS for Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus who are out and about racing the domestic and European scene with some of the best British riders. He also runs 4SeasonCollective, a creative marketing business.
Matt Payne is the voice of British cyclocross having been on the mic for all of the big races for years. He is a professional commentator regularly heard at raceside, and also on TV and streamed coverage for all cycling disciplines. He has long experience of professional race promotion, but also a passion for grass-roots opportunity from being the brains and voice of the twice-weekly Zwift Donny Chain Gang, to organising local league races.
In Episode 13 of Season 9, Neil, Xan, and Matt look back on the 2025-26 cyclocross season. They talk through the World Cup, which they agree had zero duff rounds this year, but are disappointed that Terralba is missing from next year, just as it is finding its identity.
They reflect on the rules on scoring for Superprestige, that meant points-tied Van Alphen took the series ahead of Fouquenet, despite having zero wins and fewer head-to-head victories and finishing behind in the last round.
Whilst the X2O series is clear at the sharp end, there remains an odd rule where those getting 80%d (i.e. lapped) or DNF appear to have a better series outcome than those finishing at the back end of the lead lap. Neil has homework... next season he promises to track it to look at strategies.
They also look back at the Rising Stars and those Struggling to Shine last year.
Of course they look forward to the 2026-27 season with the Glasgow World Cup, and note some interesting calendar details, such as a very early Dendermonde, and the current lack of a Hope Supercross series.
Finally, they gives a heads-up on some of the rule changes, including a dispensation for bar width in the UK (for some races, but not all), and the ultra important rule on race celebrations for youth riders.
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!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 12 of season 9, Neil, Matt and Xan report back from being on site at the 2026 Cyclocross World Championships from Hulst, both from working inside the media trucks and shouting from the other side of the side. Bringing the fresh memories of all experiences of the World Champs, they discuss a full-on septet of superb races.
Of course, they also unpack this year's podium picker competition in which they did a lot better than 2025!
Support the show
--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 11 of Season 9 Neil, Xan and Matt give their predictions for the 2026 #cyclocross World Champs and you can too at https://tinyurl.com/hulstcx26 š
They look back on the finale of the 25-26 World Cup with races from #maasmechelen and #hoogerheide , both of which Xan was racing. She gives her views from being on the ground... well, on the bike... and - yay - didn't have any mechanicals!
In a season where there were a lot of rounds compressed into just a few weeks, and the furthest distance between venues was about 1500km, they talk about what could be a wider spread to make it a true 'World' Cup.
The focus of the show is on the World Cup that will come from Hulst. They make their predictions for each race - a great way to talk through who they think are the ones to watch! For this year's World Champs Matt will be on the UCI mic, Neil will be on the tape courseside, and Xan will be on the sofa glued to the telly.
Support the show
--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 10 of Season 9, Neil, Xan and Matt look back on the National Championships from South Shields. Xan looks back on her race and her second place finish, after doing the jersey proud for the past 12 months. Neil also revisits the weekend where he was also racing and working with Grity.
They give their views on the planned changes to the National Trophy Series that will be introduced next year. There is a lot to look forward to and things will be different. Whilst they welcome a much-needed refresh the devil will be in the detail, and the reduced number of UCI rounds will be missed.
They also look back on the Benidorm World Cup, which Matt was commentating on the UCI World Feed, and in which Xan was racing. The races turned out to be really entertaining and another opportunity to show how the venue would make a credible World Champs.
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the next two World Cups - Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide. Both races have given us fantastic action in the past and will be under the spotlight as Xan takes to the start, and Matt puts words to the action.
Support the show
--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 9 of Season 9 Neil, Xan and Matt look back on their highly committed many hours of cyclocross watching, racing, working and commentating with a look back on the second half of the Kerste Periode. They send comiserations to those riders crashing out for the end of the season and hope for quick recoveries.
They look back on the final round of the National Trophy that came from Irvine. It was a magnificent event, that proved very popular amongst those who made the trip to Ayrshire. Neil gives the details of his race and reports back on the overalls.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the National Championships that are due to come from South Shields in the UK. They review the course, and the front runners for the elite men and elite women. They also discuss the live coverage that will be provided on YouTube.
They also touch on other key National Champs including a mini preview of the Ireland course.
Support the show
--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 8 of Season 9 Neil, Xan and Matt extract themselves for 'cross duties to chat through the Kerste Periode with some stunning racing. After giving birthday greetings to Xan and Neil, they look back on the A to Z of Antwerp to Zolder, the sand of Koksijde and Hofstade and the missing mud from Gavere.
With new stars starting to shine for mid season from Del Grosso and Fouquenet we have a new crop of riders ripening nicely. Despite this we still have the literal case of Brand and Vanderpoel winning everything that they enter... can they keep it up?
Looking forwards there is a ton of racing to keep up with, from Dendermonde to Baal and the classic of Zonhoven just a few days away.
They also give some preview and insight into the final round of the National Trophy 25-26 which is due to come from Irvine.
Support the show
--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 7 of Season 9 Neil, Xan and Matt jump into a mega few weeks of cyclocross goodness. Neil reports back on Hunsworth National Trophy with its December mud, cracking course, and great atmosphere. They mention the parking nightmare that unfolded - oof. Neil also reports back on his local racing at a very old classic venue, and compares notes with Xan who was bringing in a top 6 at Kortrijk and getting a solid amount of TV-time for her stripy jersey and shiny new Van Rysel bikes.
They review Namur with what was some frankly goose bumpy racing that has to go down as one of the most impressive men's and women's races for some time. With the return of Neff being a treat, Pieterse a treatĀ², and Van der Poel a treatĀ³ we had skills, personality, battles, and power galore. Xan gives the insight into how it was on the ground, especially those bits where Nys and Van der Poel were... on the ground.
They give a bit of a PSA regarding bar width ready for rule changes and then preview the upcoming bunch of races coming from Antwerp, Koksijde, Gavere, Zolder. SO MUCH to look forward to.
Neil wonders... will the Koksijde results compare to 2015 when it was: (daddy) Nys, Van Aert, Van der Poel, Van der Haar, Sweeck, Meeusen, Aerts.
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!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
It is Crosscast Episode 100. Thanks to all of you who have been here since the start, and we've loved collecting listeners over the years.
In Episode 6 of Season 9, Neil, Xan, and Matt cast their minds back to a frozen Tabor which turned out to be a classic. Great racing, incident-packed action and skills and power both on display. Xan talks us through her race with her cracking start meaning that missed the early melee while the race settled down. The men's race had so many great performances, marking ingredients that could give us a super season.
They also think back to Flamanville which was a total contrast to Tabor, and tricky in lots of different ways. They talk through how both Nys and Mason have matured markedly for this year.
In the Laatste Ronde, they preview Round 5 of the National Trophy that will come from Tong / Bradford / Hunsworth (choose your title) as well as Cabras / Sardinia / Terralba (choose your title) World Cup with its microscopic start list, and Namur that will be awesome because it always is.
Neil bumbles through an attempt to explain why he really likes Kortrijk, and Xan nails it in one go!
Support the show
--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 5 of Season 9, Neil, Xan and Matt review the European Championships in which Xan brought home a top 20 for GB in the Elite Female category, and had two totally contrasting races for the Elite Men and Elite Women. Xan gives the inside story of how the race went, and just how tough the course was.
They also talk through the two bike frames that took some of the limelight from being a chimera Orbea for title-winning Aerts, to a UCI DQ for a frame that was... apparently... approved the day before the racing.
Round 4 of the National Trophy is reviewed, a race in which Neil was competitor, team manager, pit crew and shopkeeper. It was Hard Work for everyone behind the scenes after a dumping of rain before the race, but the course itself was decent - challenging skills, fitness and pit crews, and it delivered close racing.
They return again to the tricky question of what the future of the National Trophy should look like, as it becomes more of a challenge for organisers.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the opening of the World Cup, with races in Tabor and Flamanville. Xan will be racing both rounds and so listen in for her throughts, and come back next time to hear how she gets on.
Neil finishes up getting very over-excited about some new Grity kit that has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping! Pop over to www.grity.co.uk to check out the new kids long sleeve jerseys and their Full-Send sale!
Support the show
--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In episode 4 of season 9 Neil Xan and Matt kick off with a few memories of how important Lars van der Haar has been to cyclocross racing across the world, now he has announced that this season will be his Laatste Ronde, his final season.
The look back on Clanfied Cross, that finally proved its potential after a tough start last year. Neil and Xan talk about their own races, and in true CX-tradition, talk tyres. They also touch on the form of race winners Ffion Drake and Thomas Mein who are looking to take a clean sweep of the series if they can keep it going.
The quick decisions taken by comms regarding application of the 80% rule is covered, whilst trying to avoid the endless depths of the 'to 80% or not to 80%' generic debate.
They also look back on Koppenbergcross, a race that was 'just right' on the 3-Bears Scale in terms of conditions. Not too dry, and not too wet. And just right for Nys and Mason who took a confident and controlled 2nd place.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to Round 4 of the National Trophy, coming from a new venue with 'Sand' in its name. Sandwell Valley is new to all of the Crosscast Trio but they give as much info as possible, and hope that it gives some of the fun that can come from similarly built venues.
They also look forward to the European Championships to come from Middelkerke. Xan Crees is on the start list, alongside a mega-strong and mega-deep British Squad. Good luck all of you racing, supporting, pitting, and spectating. Enjoy the beach.
Support the show
--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In episode 3 of season 9 Neil Xan and Matt review the Falkirk National Trophy with its tough course, and wet conditions. Neil reflects on his experiences, and how the racing unfolded over the weekend. Meanwhile Xan returned to Sweden where she had a successful series of 4 races, with a win and two further podiums... a first UCI win in the National Champs jersey.
They return to the topic of race entry field size, and the viability of the National Trophy series in its current form.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to Round 3 of the National Trophy, coming from Clanfield. The course itself has had minor tweaks, and keeps its character with purpose built features, another wall to keep those studs polished, and places to test out your skills. With sponsorshop from AVA washers, you don't even need to lug your washer (unless you want to)!
They also look forward to two of the classic contintental courses - Overijse, a full-on 'trail mix' with a bit of everything, and Koppenburg the iconic course on a small piece of land that has become so steeped in cycling history.
Support the show
--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!
You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross
Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 2 of Season 9 Neil, Xan, and Matt review the Three Peaks, the legendary race that Neil raced, Xan pitted, and Matt watched from the social feeds. Neil recounts his own experience where despite a Pen Y Ghent prang, him and Lotta won the parent-daughter category. They also look at the sharp end where Jenson Young took the course record to take the win along with Briony Halcrow in a really interesting field.
They also review round 1 of the Derby National Trophy with its changing conditions, fast racing, and early indicators into season form. Xan reports back on her close racing and the 6-up bunch sprint for podium places 20s behind Ffion Drake, this seasonās early powerhouse.
They preview round 2 that will come from Falkirk with its return to the calendar after being missed last year. They also preview the Swedish CX series to which Xan will return after having a cracking time last year.
And finally, Neil waxes lyrical about his newly designed Grity āRutlandā CX studs that will be an essential for Falkirk, and the new line in greetings cards. Also listen out for Matt-on-the-mic for gravel worlds UCI feed this 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 Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 1 of Season 9, Neil, Matt and Xan are back after a summer on the mic and on the bike... Neil got an injury and also a win, Xan dropped the watts on crits and grave, and Matt has been putting words to World Championships MTB, as well as road racing and e-sports.
They look back at the Hope Supercross series with four UCI races in 9 days. Whilst all on the same course, there was variety due to the weather and the night racing. It did give an early indication of those who have stepped up, and they take note of the rising stars of the sport, anticipating what will happen this season.
In the Laatste Ronde they preview the Three Peaks, the epic, historic and legendary race that will have its 61st edition in 2025. Neil is racing and isn't totally confident of being able to repeat a 2nd place in the parent/daughter competition last year, but is feeling on form and ready to go. They look through the start list and agree that there are a lot of wildcards for the win. Could we be looking at a youngest-ever winner?... or could Jebby repeat the feat now he is a masters 50?
They also preview Round 1 of the National Trophy coming from Derby. Another absolutely classic venue that somehow entices riders to push as far as they can, and sometimes too far! It's a fantastic venue and race so get your entries in and get your spectating planned.
It's great to be back. See you soon!
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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 Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
Support the show
--
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 Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for OGT USE.
In Episode 13 of season 8 Neil, Matt and Xan review the Lievin World Champs with its magnificent team relay that was exciting even with just the live timing.
They cover all the races and The Crosscast Podium Picker competition in which Xan proved her expertise unlike Matt and Neil who didnāt have a great year!
Was the course exciting, dull, challenging, or just confusing? What do you think?
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to a much changed National Trophy calendar and a very unchanged World Cup. Neil predicts a change in regs to allow for SEVEN Belgian rounds š.
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 Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Team Spectra p/b DAS.
In Episode 12 of Season 8, Neil, Matt and Xan unpack a pair of tough races that rounded out the World Cup. Xan gives her on-the-ground review of just how tough they were, at the technical-tastic Maasmechelen and total classic of Hoogerheide.
They give thoughts on the World Cup as whole and whether the compressed calendar worked.
The most important competition of the year is on us all! Yes it is YOUR chance to compete in the annual Crosscast Podium Picker Competition at tinyurl.com/podium25
The Crosscast Trio give their podium picks for the upcoming World Champs... can you do better (probably), and can you do better than anyone else in your household (possibly).
Can't wait.
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 Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Team Spectra p/b DAS.
In Episode 11 of Season 8, Neil, Matt and Xan look back on the recent goings on in the world of cross. In a show that has more ups and downs than the Loenhout washboard (AKA the 'oopsie whoopsies') they travel from the ice of Cyclopark to the Mediterranean sunshine of Benidorm.
This week the National Body has received a lot of criticism and they unpack the issues surrounding World Championships Selection and the decisions not to fill places in the Elite Women and U23 Men categories. They review the selection process and consider whether it gives the best outcomes, and whether it was followed.
They also get some insight into the (lack of) TV coverage at the National Champs and talk through the hits and misses for the event as a whole.
Xan is excited to preview the World Cup finale double weekend coming from Maaaaasmechelen and Hooooogerheide where she will have a chance to admire the National Champs stripes in the famous courseside mirror wall. Don't get distracted Xan!
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 Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Team Spectra p/b DAS.
CROSSCAST LIVE from Cyclopark Gravesend. Live from the cafe, Neil Matt and Xan talk through the action from the National Champs.
The big news is that Xan did it - she is National Elite Cyclocross Champion! Awesome.
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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 Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Team Spectra p/b DAS.
In Episode 9 of Season 8, Neil Matt and Xan look back on the end of the 2024-2025 Kerste Periode remembering an entertaining Baal with Van Empel only leading the race for about 1 metre (the most important 1 metre), and Iserbyt at his best. Koksijde added Sweeck to the list of legends, and Dendermonde was somehow a great watch despite some dominant rides and its usually ultra mud bath course.
The talk about Xans' peak in form with best ever result in a Belgian World Cup coming just before the National Champs.
The final round of the National Trophy partly came from Bradford with day 2 cancelled due to snow. What a disappointing season for UCI racers, especially when the younger and older riders got a full 5 races.
In the Laastse Ronde, they look forward to this weekend's National Championships; always a highlight of the season. In addition to the key Belgian and Netherlands competitions, they have a deep dive into what to expect for the British National Championships coming from Cyclopark. They are also given all the dirty details from Huw Williams, someone who knows every centimetre of the course.
With no TV expected this year, make sure that you get down to the side of the tape in Gravesend, and tune in to The Crosscast Live coming out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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 Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Team Spectra p/b DAS.
In Episode 8 of Season 8 Neil, Matt and Xan catch up in the middle of the busiest time of the CX calendar, the Kerste Periode. With so much action they bring you a full show covering classics such as Zonhoven and Hulst, Diegem and Loenhout, with a decent look at Besancon.
Xan takes us through her experiences racing on some of the most challenging parcours of the year, and gives us insight into how she approached the barrage of huge fields, winter weather, and technical features.
Despite some dominant performances in some of the world cups, there have been a bunch of cracking races, including multiple career bests, some slow-burn races and others with gripping sections (for the men's racing, the start of Zonhoven, end of Diegem). One of the most compelling to watch had to be women's Loenhout... no spoilers here!
They preview the finale of the National Trophy Series, Baal, Koksijde and Dendermonde, and give more information on what to get excited about in the build-up to the National Champs just 2 weeks away.
With all of this World-class stuff going on, they also don't neglect local racing with Neil reporting back from his adventures. Respect to race organisers and volunteers during this busy time - chapeau.
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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 Mansfield is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees races for Team Spectra.
In Episode 7 of Season 8 Neil, Matt and Xan catch up after a memorable few weeksā¦ and Xan tells us how she is after her TV-time and horrible incident on the Namur bank.
They catch up on what happened and what didnāt at Clanfield National Trophy and Cabras / Namur World Cups. Neil raced day 1 of Clanfield (25th and fun had š) as did the regional champs crews in a very welcome and successful return to regional competitions.
The main winner of the Clanfield / Cabras UCI weekend seemed to be the weather.
Namur World Cup was certainly a huge challenge and saw a whole host of riders ejected off the front of the bike. Do they deserve a special memento like the Martin Baker Ejector Seat club membership?
They also give a full preview of Kerste Part A - the famous five, Hulst Zonhoven Mol Loenhout and Gavere.
Set your alarms and take a recovery day off CX on the 25th.
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 Mansfield is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees races for Team Spectra.
In Episode 6 of Season 8 Neil and Matt are joined by Xan after her adventures at the World Cup that kicked off in Antwerp and then in Dublin.
Xan gives us all the details of the course from a rider's view with insights on the course, the atmosphere, the (lack of) grip, and we have to say it is awesome to see that Xan has got the top 50 World Ranking that has been a target for a while - ace job! Meanwhile Matt gives us insights on what they were doing to the sand that he could see while on the mic for the UCI World Coverage.
They reflect on the start of the World Cup and how Nys has not been having a nice time, how Iserbyt has not been looking relaxed and the fantastic form of Brand. Of course, they talk through the lap 1 incident when Boros' nose wheelie caused chaos behind.
Closer to home, Neil reports back on the Yorkshire league, and the destiny of his wheels that were lent to a newcomer after the sticky mud made gravel tyres a disaster.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the upcoming National Trophy from Clanfield, a new venue for the Trophy and a place with a reputation already, of technical, hilly, and a rewarding race.
They also look forward to another newcomer, the World Cup from Cabras where there is not a lot of detail currently available; while there could be elements reminiscent of a Mediterranean version of Antwerp... who knows. Sadly, it seems that many of the front runners are choosing to take a break, but of course this opens up opportunity for others to show their potential.
Also coming up there is Namur - a superb classic. Just watch it.
Matt gives some early info on the UK National Champs; don't forget to save the date to race or spectate!.... watch this space for news.
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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 Mansfield is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees races for Team Spectra.
In Episode 5 of Season 8 Neil and Matt (and TheGrityKitty) catch up on Round 3 of the National Trophy that came from Torbay and delivered an unexpected fast and dry(ish) course with technical flow. They talk through the tactical racing and even dip into a few stats comparing this year to last year. Neil corrects an error from last show and educates himself on Pearson Bikes and DAS.
They reflect on the grim course from Niel, and talk about how individual features like āthe Hamme bankā can affect racing.
After a slight interval to put the cat out, Neil explains how this season is going to be like a classic serial, with 3 volumes. Volume 1 is coming to an endā¦ Volume 2 will be the World Cup starting shortly, and Volume 3ā¦ well, listen to find out š.
Questions from listeners are āansweredā - did you do better in remembering who won Hamme in 2016?
Looking ahead there is a superb GB squad heading to Antwerp including Crosscast regular Xan Crees (Spectra p/b DAS). Good luck all!
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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 Mansfield is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees races for Team Spectra.
In Episode 4 of season 8 Neil Matt and Xan look back on the past few weeks of racing. This included Xanās 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 freeā¦ he got infected by a virus and so a little croaky today š¦ .
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 donāt fret - the legend Vic Barnett still brought home a Masters gold medalš„to Welland Valley.
They debate the merits of gravel racing and are pretty much in agreement that itās 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 weāve experienced there in the past considering the weather forecast for the next few weeks. Time will tell whether we get another āPaigntonā 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.
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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 Mansfield is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees races for Team Spectra.
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 2017ās Season 1 Episode 2 of The Crosscast when they mentioned Zoe Roche and Finlay Goodman who were U10s. Class showsā¦ 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 planā¦ but maybe the plan wasnāt perfect? They talk through how Jenson Young just didnāt have fortune on his side, and how Giles Drakeās 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 womenās 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 wasnāt a great look for the sportā¦ 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 Mansfield is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees races for Team Spectra.
In Episode 2 of Season 8 Neil and Matt are joined by Spectraās 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. Itās 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 - donāt forget your entries! (and donāt forget to support the new fun race š). 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!
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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 toā¦ 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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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.
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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 š.
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!
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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?
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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?
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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 BƤckstedt.
They review the first half of the kersteperiod that has featured fully loaded A-Z of start lists (Alvarado to Zoe BƤckstedt) 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 BƤckstedt will not be defending her National title for 2024, as she prepares for the World Champs.
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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 (šŖšŖšŖ).
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?
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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.
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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'hƓpital.
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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 š that sealed š 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 BƤckstedt 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).
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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 š. Then we have European and Pan-Am Champs, of which Keira is already a veteran.
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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 š) 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.
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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 womenās 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 š.
Neilās 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_kity
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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, and both support the DonnyChainGang.
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.
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs 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.
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs 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 BesanƧon 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 š.
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.
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs 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?
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs Full Speed Events.
In Episode 11 of Season 6, Neil and Matt look back on (yet) another series of cracking races from Belgium and the UK. They go from the puncture affected woods of Herentals, to the dunes of Koksijde. They also wonder how much Chumbawumba can be invoked*, with Riberolle getting up again after her knock down at Gullegem, and pretty much half the field coming a cropper in the revised... and dare we say improved... epic of Zonhoven.
They look back on the second UK UCI double-header of the season with the tough Clanfield Cross, and what is now surely a classic at Cyclopark. And in the week after the British PM announced that he wanted to improve the maths abilities of 18 year olds they wonder if he had the right idea after all... after the elite series medals were awarded to the wrong riders on the day.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to , and attempt predictions, for the hotly anticipated British National Championships coming from Westmorland, a course that will test riders... we just hope that injury hasn't removed Mason and Kay from the starts, but with such a stacked field of CX talent, the racing is sure to be awesome. Be there people :-)
(*if you don't remember Chumbawumba... try Spotify š)
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs Full Speed Events.
In Episode 10 of Season 6, Matt and Neil are joined in the studio by CX talent, Lotta Mansfield fresh from her block of Belgian action over the early Kerstperiod. Lotta talks about the experience of racing for Montezuma's Race Team on the continent and back home in the UK.Ā
They review what has proved to be a series of ace races, with battles from Gavere in the draggy mud, Zolder being reminiscent of previous tight editions, and Diegem being a night to remember. Loenhout with what will become a classic sprints, and Baal... being Baal.
Sadly, the predicted Baal broken bones came true and they talk through whether the course can continue to be used in its current form.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the double header of Montezuma's home race from Clanfield and the National Trophy finale coming from Gravesend. They also preview the continuing series of Kerste races - Herentals, Koksijde, Gullegem and Zonhoven. And do you agree with Matt - Koksijde is no longer the hotly anticipated event that it once was?
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs Full Speed Events.
In Episode 9 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by Junior CX talent, Oli Akers fresh from (yet) another win in the National Trophy. Oli talks about his season, and how things are taking shape at Garden Shed UK Ribble Verge CX. He talks about the balance of risk and reward, and how much he is anticipating the end of the season with a series of big-ticket races across Europe.
They review the ice conditions that were experienced at Barnoldswick and how they responded to the challenge of racing in the cold and slidey conditions. They also review all of the action from Val di Sole (spoiler - there wasn't a great deal in the end), and debate the balance of risk and reward and the challenges facing organisers in the balance of designing courses that are pitched at the right level for a sport that inhernetly carries some risks.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the upcoming Kerstperiode and preview Gavere, Zolder, Diegem and Baal. And also mention Mol and Loenhout on the way. So much CX goodness in such a short space of time - listen up for all you need to know and what to look out for.
Happy Kerstperiod everyone!
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs Full Speed Events.
In Episode 8 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by World Champion Ceris Styler, fresh from defending her jersey at the Masters World Champs. They give a full run down of all the fun from Ipswich, and talk through all of the GB podiums from what was another awesome event from Steve Grimwood and the whole organising team.
They also look back at the racing from Boom and Antwerp, and what amounted to a Hollywood-esque pair of elite races from Dublin, with action from start to finish. They talk about how Wout has an undefeated track record in big races when someone shoves a foot through his wheel and Neil rolls out the 'throwing in the towel' meme. They debate whether Pieterse was overly optimistic hopping congested barriers, or whether lines were defended a tad too agressively by the opposition. They also reflect on the fantastic performances from the GB squad, and give respect to Cycling Ireland for providing such a forum for a large team to get experience on the biggest stage.
And questions are asked... who are the favorites for the World Champs in the women's field at the moment?... and does it matter that the women's National Jersey hasn't seen any action since it was won last January? And will the National Trophy overall be won by Baker and Barnes, as time is running out for other contenders? This week's quiz question is when did Pidcock, Van Aert and Van Der Poel last take to the same start line?
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to a pair of races that appear to be entirely dependent on the weather. Val di Sole will certainly be picturesque, but will it bring exciting racing? And Matt gives Neil and Ceris lessons on how to pronounce Barnoldswick, the venue for the penultimate National Trophy. Make sure you listen up to avoid muppetry with the locals.
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs Full Speed Events.
In Episode 7 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by off-road uber-talent, Evie Richards, who not only gives all the information on her recent success at the highest level of sport, but also of plans for a return to cyclocross, and experiences at the Western and West Midlands local leagues. Evie also gives Neil some tips on how to manage his gridding at the Masters World Champs.
They are also joined by Gareth Richards, the brains behind CX HUBZ, to talk about how grass-roots CX is growing the UK, and also about experiences of being a parent of a professional young athlete.
Neil and Matt review the most recent National Trophy, and consider whether Paignton delivered a Ton of Paign on a course that gave all riders a tough day out. They also review the stuttering return of Pidcock and the impressive return of Van der Poel, on some pretty awesome, if tricky, courses. They also reflect on how Pieterse is thriving as the conditions get more and more difficult, and the hospitality offered by locals when cross comes to town.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to established and new World Cup courses from Antwerp and Dublin, the home of the trolls in Boom, and of course the imminent World Masters Championships that is a focal point for many riders on the UK scene this year.
And can YOU answer the randomly fiendish quiz question of when was the last time that the elite male and female world champ both took the win at the same race?...
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs Full Speed Events.
In Episode 6 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are joined from Belgium by Spectra Wiggle's Xan Crees from the middle of her European race block. They get all the insights from Xan who has been on the ground at almost every one of the big races this year.
They cover all the action from Koppenburg with the memorable wins for Van Der Haar and Van Empel, and the race that Prevot will want to forget. They cover the return of Alvarado to winning ways at Niel after a 2-year hiatus., and a first World Cup win for Van Anrooij after Pieterse and Van Empel's complacency (or was it?) at the bell.
They also reflect on the European Champs - both the elite and masters results, with another superb haul of medals for the British vets, just a few weeks before the Masters World Champs.
There is the debate on which jersey should Van Empel and Pieterse wear at the next World Cup (which is carefully tiptoed round), and most importantly they have received fan mail from the operator of the cablecam.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the upcoming races from Merksplas and Kortrijk, that might see the return of Pidcock, and the return of World Cups from Overijse - which might or might not have the killer climb into the pits off the start, and from Hulst.
They also preview the next round of the National Trophy from Paignton and Andover Supercross.
It's been a cracking season so far... and before you listen, do you know the answer to the question of before Namur, when was the last time Vos and Prevot went head-to-head on a CX bike?
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs Full Speed Events.
In Episode 5 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by Ed Beechinor-Collins, who is not only Thomas Mein's coach but UCI and UEC Commission member. Ed brings us fully up to date with plans and asipirations for the European Cyclocross scene, including the potential for a European Cup, and for international races with Youth and Masters catergories.
In today's Crosstalk, the recent National Trophy rounds from Falkirk and South Shields are discussed - both of which proved to be outstanding riders' courses. Oof, it's a tough challenge for best course of the year this season! They also reflect on Sweeck's World Cup win, after 8 years of being at the sharp end of Elite races. There are yet more developments coming from Cyclopark, and Neil queries whether Vos has a technical innovation in riding with a light at Woerden.
In the Laatste Ronde, they preview Koppenburgcross, acknowledging that the race would occur after the show hits the feeds - you can evaluate whether they got anything correct in the predictions... (spoiler - just watch it, folks :-) ). They also preview the upcoming European Championships coming from Namur, that will include all categories including Masters. They also preview the next round of the World Cup from Beekse Bergen, which is desribed as 'Zonhoven before it became famous'.
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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel, and Matt runs Full Speed Events.
In Episode 4 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by Montezuma's Race Team's Amy Perryman fresh from a summer of off road riding and kicking off her Trophy season in Derby.
In today's Crosstalk they catch up on all the action from the Derby National Trophy, talking detailed positioning of barriers, happy riders, and whether Brammeier is back, or is back-back. They also pay respects with a moment's silence for Scotty Chalmers' (ex) cool carbon canti frame whose seat tube was impaled on a spike and debate if that meant Scotty was lucky or unlucky. They also agree that rider of the day was... Elena Day, with her impressive moving up the field as she moved up to U23 racing.
They also look back on the action from the twin USA world cups with its exciting racing, the twin wins for Iserbyt and Van Empel, and the new twins on the block: Canadians Ava and Isabella Holmgren, being just 17 and achieving twin top 20 finishes.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forwards to rounds 3 and 4 of the National Trophy with all the info from Falkirk and the Antonine Wall, and from South Shields where you are dared to take your cossie and go for a dip in the North Sea. World Cups from Maasmechelen and Tabor are previewed - one new, one classic, but both promising to offer bags of entertainment. They also quiz Amy on Ruddervoorde, a course which she raced on a couple of seasons ago. There is also an update from Cyclopark, which is expecting to have a venue tweak, so the modern classic can have a bit of maintenance and a fallow year.
They even dip into a bit of tech talk, talking tyre gauges, teams shifting shifter suppliers, and introduce the first appearance of the 22-23 Wrath of Chronos.
Thanks so much to everyone who has supported the show at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast where you can also buy us a virtual coffee! Proceeds go to paying for hosting fees.
In Episode 3 of Season 6, Neil is joined in the studio by CX talent Alison Kinloch and Alex Forrester. In Crosstalk, the trio unpack their different experiences on Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen Y Ghent, with their thrills and spills... and how they're feeling after a week of recovery. They consider just how many whippersnappers are close on the heels of the Hope block-out of 4 of the 6 individual podium places at the front of the elite race.
They also consider the news from Belgium with Aerts' (probably) season out, from France with Ferrand-Prevot's move to Ineos, joining a strong GB squad that could make an impressive line up.... if they ever get to a CX start line, and the bizarre goings on with Van der Poel in Australia.
Neil also contrasts the Kings Cup Gravel Champs with the Three Peaks... spoiler - the contrast is as big as it gets (haha!), but both are great prep for a full 'cross season.
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the opening rounds of the World Cup in the US, wonder whether the dungareed human statue will be on site again, and speculate on what the beer tent might be serving at the newly announced Dublin World Cup.
They also give all the latest on Round 1 of the National Trophy due to come from Derby in a few days, with news of a bomb hole, a new start, plus the classic Derby features that make it such a cracking event to race and spectate.
And if you're wondering what's happened to Matt - conspiracy theorist fill your basket, just like the Nordstream Gas Line, pipes have burst at the Old Beer Cellar Studio and work was needed to stop it becoming a basement water feature.
Thanks to all for supporting the show - we have a page at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast where you can really help out with hosting costs by buying us a virtual coffee!
In Episode 3 of Season 6, Neil is joined in the studio by CX talent Alison Kinloch and Alex Forrester. In Crosstalk, the trio unpack their different experiences on Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen Y Ghent, with their thrills and spills... and how they're feeling after a week of recovery. They consider just how many whippersnappers are close on the heels of the Hope block-out of 4 of the 6 individual podium places at the front of the elite race.
They also consider the news from Belgium with Aerts' (probably) season out, from France with Ferrand-Prevot's move to Ineos, joining a strong GB squad that could make an impressive line up.... if they ever get to a CX start line, and the bizarre goings on with Van der Poel in Australia.
Neil also contrasts the Kings Cup Gravel Champs with the Three Peaks... spoiler - the contrast is as big as it gets (haha!), but both are great prep for a full 'cross season.
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the opening rounds of the World Cup in the US, wonder whether the dungareed human statue will be on site again, and speculate on what the beer tent might be serving at the newly announced Dublin World Cup.
They also give all the latest on Round 1 of the National Trophy due to come from Derby in a few days, with news of a bomb hole, a new start, plus the classic Derby features that make it such a cracking event to race and spectate.
And if you're wondering what's happened to Matt - conspiracy theorist fill your basket, just like the Nordstream Gas Line, pipes have burst at the Old Beer Cellar Studio and work was needed to stop it becoming a basement water feature.
Thanks to all for supporting the show - we have a page at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast where you can really help out with hosting costs by buying us a virtual coffee!
In Episode 2 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are joined by author, rider, and CX guru Alex Forrester. Alex gives us a bit of an insight into his relocation from the South of England back to his Derbyshire roots, and how he is getting his cycling cafe prepped for all weathers.
In crosstalk, they chat through some of the team changes that have been posted (if not announced), and tackle the can of worms that is the UCI sticker on a frame. They also wonder whether a 14mm thru axle disqualifies a bike from being a true cyclocrosser.
Much of the show is given over to 3 Peaks Prep, wondering whether Neil's belt and braces use of Rimpact tyre inserts with robust tyres is a better move than Alex's 'pump em up as hard as you can and send it' strategy. They also talk favorites for the race, and also whether the clash with Kings Cup Gravel could draw riders away from the purity of the Yorkshire Peaks, to newfangled corporate gravel... wherever you're riding - take a moment or two to enjoy it!
Before you go... if you would like to show your support and help us cover some of the production and hosting costs, please pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast. It will really help us keep the show rolling, means we won't need to do paid ads, and will give you a warm fuzzy feeling!
In Episode 1 of Season 6, Neil and Matt are back with another season of cross-goodness! This season we say farewell to Bruce Dalton and wish him a happy retirement from the mic as he pursues so many ace projects over the winter. Neil and Matt will be teaming up with guests throughout the season to bring something new to this season's pod.
In Episode 1, they look back on what the cross-community have been up to over the summer, focusing on some of those emerging riders who look to be in the form of their lives forward to the upcoming cyclocross season - ones to watch include Niamh Murphy who finished on the podlium at the women's Junior Tour of Flanders, and our brand new European MTB eliminator champ Zoe Roche.
They cover Thomas Mein's move to Hope, and also question how we can still be waiting for an update on Toon Aerts' status, 7 months on from when he failed a doping test.
Looking forwards the upcoming seasion is looking really varied with National Trophies in classic and fresh venues, just like the World Cup which even goes to Benidorm this year. At least there will be sand.
Before you go... if you would like to show your support and help us cover some of the production and hosting costs, please pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast. It will really help us keep the show rolling, means we won't need to do paid ads, and will give you a warm fuzzy feeling!
In Episode 12 of Season 5, Neil Matt and Bruce review the World Champs that came from Fayetteville and gave a new meaning to Dry January, but still delivered some great racing with photo finishes, dominant rides off the front, and drama throughout.Ā It also delivered a decent haul of GB medals š¤©.
They spend some time unpacking Ribblegate, understanding why one of the GB podium favorites needed to borrow bikes from Sven Nys to race at the World Champs after arriving with non-approved frames... and they speculate on why this might have significant knock-ons to anyone wanting to ride or organise a UCI race in future.
On a lighter note, they also announce the winners of the Crosscast Podium Prediction competition and acknowledge that most listeners trounced Neil Matt and Bruce.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the conclusion of the X2O and SuperPrestige series, both of which are still undecided, and also have a first look at the 2022-23 National Trophy with a classic mix of classic venues with some new rounds coming in, and a lot of variety in character.
And with that, The Crosscast are crossing off another season.Ā Thanks for the support, friends of the show, and say hi if you see us out and about on the trails, on the road, or on the zwift. See you on the other side of the summer.Ā
In Episode 11 of Season 5, Neil Bruce and Matt look back on final round of the National Trophy that came from Broughton, Skipton, that not only gave a tough course, but also a great example of what can be done to make a top tier race happen in the UK if you have the support and expertise from people like those at Hope. It also gave Neil his PB result of the season (š).Ā
They also look back at the final two rounds of the World Cup from Flamanville and Hoogerheide that delivered some close racing albeit with depleted fields. Were they a bit of an anti-climax considering the extent of the World Cup this year, or an opportunity to foreshadow the World Champs due to start in a few days time.
In the Laatste Ronde, they dedicate their thoughts to the World Champs and come up with their predictions for the podiums across all catergories.Ā And of course YOU can join in too! Head over to https://tinyurl.com/CCWC2022 to see if you can do better than Neil Matt and Bruce.
Don't forget to follow the show on Instagram and Facebook, and support the show by treating yourself to the official T from grity.co.uk https://grity.co.uk/collections/leisure-wear
In Episode 10 of Season 5, Neil, Matt and Bruce are just back from what was an excellent National Championships, but they are still far from dried out after the Saturday drenching.
In Crosstalk they talk through all the details of what was a challenging and muddy course, but a course that still brought exciting racing. They reflect on their own experiences of being on the mic as well as on the start line... and Neil also making it to the finish line. All the UCI races from Sunday are reviewed including the Junior women's and men's, as well as the two elite races. They also cover other key national Champs from across the world, over a weekend that saw some very experienced riders bring home jerseys to add to extensive collections, whilst other nations (including the UK) had younger riders taking titles.
In the Laatste Ronde the upcoming World Cup finale is previewed and the difficult choices facing riders and squads who might also be targetting the US World Champs are discussed... hopefully the final few races before focus shifts stateside, will be as entertaining as the venues promise, with a French Chateau, the best camera shot of the year, and a course that brings tight racing all due over the next fortnight.
Matt also unpacks the calculations that will be made to decide final positions at the final round of the National Trophy coming from Broughton. There is still a lot to decide and the course is promising to be a tough addition to the calender, whilst also benefitting from invested to make it a great venue... tune in next time to hear the view from Crosscast Towers on how close it is coming.
In the meantime - Bruce, we all hope that the physio does their magic with the National Champs DNF injury, and that you'll be able to take to the start line in Skipton.
Support the show by getting your spring T-shirt order in over at grity.co.uk
In Episode 9 of Season 5, Neil Bruce and Matt bring a bumper show. reflecting on one of the season highlights - the Kerstperiode - the classic series of Christmas races in Belgium which gave loads of discussion points in each race. Neil managed to travel to Belgium for the Kerste and he brings his view from the pits.
In today's Crosstalk, they review the world cups from Dendermonde and (the real) Hulst... they discuss the SuperPrestige from Zolder... and debate the X2O action from Baal and Loenhout.
They debate - are we now in the midst of a new golden age of UKCX, with consistent outstanding performances coming in all categories... Junior men and Junior women, U23 men and U23 women, Elite men and Elite women?
And is there a better way of giving a clean race to riders at both the front and the back of the field, or is the '80% rule' the best option out there?
And will we see Van der Poel again this season... or even racing in the classics?
And in today's Laatste Ronde, the upcoming National Championships are previewed with the all important ones to watch picked... and considering the astonishingly good current crop of riders, probably some were missed too! ... and on the topic of missing people - will we see the Ineos duo Pidcock and Turner take to the line? It is really one not to miss - get there is you can, it's one of the best men's and women's fields in the world racing on home soil... or should that be home mud?
And don't forget you can support the show at Grity.co.uk by treating yourself to the UK Cyclocross t-shirt!
In Episode 8 of Season 5, Neil Bruce and Matt are back with a Christmas show packed with action and previews.
In Crosstalk, they review the UK UCI double header, with the first running of Clanfield Cross as an international race, and also cover round 5 of the National Trophy that came from Cyclopark, a race that polarised opinions, and a course that changed throughout the weekend. They review the snowy Val Di Sole and debate whether this is a direction in which cyclocross should move, or whether it's a too far from the roots of the sport.
Rucphen and Namur gave a World Cup double weekend with a fantastic series of races, and the Netherlands venue delivered a great course design despite the dreadful spiral of doom (do you agree?). It was of course, a weekend to be remembered by UK CX as the first time that a British rider has won a men's elite race... whilst Backstedt maintained her unbeaten run having won every Junior Women's world cup race ever.
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the Kerstperiode including two World Cups, two Superprestiges, and two X2O races in just a few days. Will Dendermonde be another waterslog? Will Zolder deliver last lap excitement this time? Will anyone get stranded at double-pit Diegem? Will Neil start to appreciate Baal? Will Van der Poel return at Loenhout, as Van Aert did 2 years ago? Will Hulst-not-Hulst ever go back to the much-missed windmill?
In fact, with the pandemic allow anything to happen at all?
Happy Kerstperiode everyone!
In Episode 7 of Season 5, Neil and Matt look back on the Cyclocross World Masters Championships that came from Ipswich.Ā Not only do they give a run down of how the event panned out, but they also attempt to give a synopsis of every race category and key moments that decided who gets to wear the rainbow stripes for the next year.
They also look back on a very wet Boom that saw impressive returns from Turner, Pidcock in his magic skinsuit, and of course Wout van Aert who was in a class of his own.Ā
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to a bumper couple of weeks of racing and briefly drop into the pits to listen in on Georgia Mahoney (from the Cycling Talk Podcast) chat to Gosse van der Meer, who is planning on racing at several of the upcoming UK races. Ā
They preview round 5 of the National Trophy, coming from Cyclopark, and also Clanfield Cross that will make up a double UCI weekend in the UK.
And of course there are the imminent World Cups due to come from Val di Sole on snow and ice, Namur, and Rucphen, a full on three courses that will challenge the whole range of skills.
And for those concerned about Bruce, you are right to do so... he phoned in to report a puncture in a snow storm... hope you made it back Bruce!
In Episode 6 of Season 5 Neil Matt and Bruce look back on Round 4 of the National Trophy from Sunderland, that saw some excellent performances... and not just for the first over the line. They also get a bit seasonal after the snow that came at some of the UK Regional Champs and hope to see some more... and of course discuss the Crosscast NT total time competition, The Wrath of Chronos (thanks @Iainseye).
They wonder whether Iserbyt was sledging (see what we did there!) in his pre-race talk about not being confident in the sand at Koksijde, and are pleased to see Worst back to her best, putting in a trademark power attack that has been a bit dormant for a while.
They also review Kortrijk Urban Cross and the fantastic racing, skating, and martial arts that came from Besancon. But really... where will the Iserbyt Aerts battle end, as they take it from bike racing to a full contact sport?
Looking forwards they give a preview of the Masters World Champs that is coming from Ipswich with as much insight as possible considering the pandemic undertainty at the moment, and they wonder whether the Ipswich bridge steps are going to be more of a challenge than the hurdles that will not feature in the 55+ categories.
They also look forward to the return of Van Aert and Pidcock due to race at Boom in a few days, and they don't look forward to Antwerp because it's been cancelled. Neil gets a bit cultured talking about public art and architecture... and his fire alarm went off too.
And finally, don't forget that TheCrosscast UK map T-shirt is available from Grity (grity.co.uk), and is shipping now. We don't do ads, and this is a way to help support the show!
In Episode 5 of Season 5 Neil Matt and Bruce go all 2015, covering van der Haar winning the European Champs, and also taking a win in the World Cup.Ā They review whether this could the pinnacle of a very successful season for van der Haar, even through it has not even started for the World Championship elite men's favourites.Ā Ā
They debate course design at Niel and what they hope to see when elite racing hopefully returns to Col du Vam. Ā They also talk Tabor, where Brand also kept the race under control to take the win with a textbook move on the classic course that always provides great racing.
In the Laatste Ronde they preview the next round of the National Trophy coming from another first-time venue in Sunderland, giving the latest on what to expect from the course.Ā They also preview the continental and world racing from the Koksijde classic, Kortrijk urbancross, and the world's newcomer, Besancon.Ā Ā
And finally, don't forget that TheCrosscast UK league map T-shirt is available for pre-order from National Trophy supporter Grity (grity.co.uk), and should ship later this month.Ā We don't do ads, and this is a way to help support the show!
In Episode 4 of Season 5 Neil Bruce and Matt review the most recent action from round 3 of the National Trophy that came from Falkirk, a tough course that was highly praised by riders and a venue we hope to return to.Ā Whilst Carrick-Anderson and Flynn lead the BC National Trophy, they review how close the unofficial Crosscast league standings are, which are led by Field and Manley.
Bruce re-lives his on-the-ground experiences from his recent block on the continent,Ā and the show reviews the recent world cups from Zonhoven (yay) and Overijse (hmm), as well as the next round of the Superprestige from Ruddervorde (hmm) and the X2Opener, Koppenburgcross (AKA GP Jolien Verschueren) (yayĀ²).Ā They talk through whether, and why, continental cross is getting more angsty and limitations of pressure wash provision (anyone willing to crowdfund a fire engine?!).
And in the Laatste Ronde they look forward the upcoming European Champs with its mysterious course, as well as Niel and Tabor, both races that have their uniqueness and a soft spot in the hearts of the Crosscasters.
And finally, don't forget that TheCrosscast UK league map T-shirt is available for pre-order from National Trophy supporter Grity (grity.co.uk), and should ship later this month.Ā We don't do ads, and this is a way to help support the show!
In Episode 3 of Season 5 Neil, Matt and Bruce go all international with Neil recording in an airport, and Bruce somewhere between races in Ireland and Belgium.
They cover all the action from Milnthorpe, a race where technical features dominated the overall outcomes. They talk about how small mistakes cost a lot of time for riders across all the fields, and of course update with the official (and our own unofficial) standings.
They review the first three rounds of the World Cup that came from the USA. While Neil's previous show's prediction of Honsinger having a decent start was only partially fulfilled, he was correct about the sketchy sections at Waterloo which saw multiple riders crash out, some being hurt. They debate who the biggest winners are... and the UCI could well be one of them.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the next round of the National Trophy coming from Falkirk that will inevitably result in changes in the standings, as many riders are on World Cup duty at Zonhoven. They also give previews of the thinkers' course with choices aplenty (Ruddervorde), the hilly one with comedy climbs and corners if wet (Overijse) and the iconic Koppenburgcross which opens opportunity to those KoppenKings&Queens who specialise on the unrelenting cobbles and cowfield.
And finally... TheCrosscast have partnered with grity.co.uk to produce our first ever T-shirt which is available for pre-order.
In Episode 2 of Season 5, Matt, Bruce and Neil are joined by Curtis White to preview the upcoming USA World Cups and to review the season start in what is an important year for USCX.
They review the first round of the National Trophy that came from Derby... including reviewing the effect of random gridding (smaller than expected to be honest) and also talk about the increasing number of tyre/wheel combinations that are failing the UCI magic measurer 33mm test.
The start of the continental scene is covered including the Gieten Superprestige that was a brutal slogfest and rather different to the traditional beach-side season opener.
By a quirk of fate, Bruce had a power cut in his village just before we would have told him that Spectra Wiggle are leading the unofficial CCNTSRC team competition after round 1... can it be held after Milnthorpe?... which promises to be another classic and if it is true to form will end up being a true test of skill, power and endurance.
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TheCrosscast is an indepentent production, from Neil Mansfield (Grity Sustainable Sport Apparel), Matt Payne (Full Speed Events), and Bruce Dalton (4SeasonCollective).
In Episode 1 of Season 5, Matt, Bruce and Neil are back to preview the new cyclocross season.Ā They talk through the implications of the bumper World Cup... the 6 round National Trophy... and the Masters' Worlds to be held in the UK later this year.
They look back on the highlights of the career of Jolien Vescheuren, who sadly lost her battle with brain cancer over the summer, and they also discuss their thoughts on the failed doping test that ended the career of Katie Compton abruptly.
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the upcoming races in Gieten, Bredene and Beringen and give all the information they have on the first round of the National Trophy at Derby.
Most importantly Neil introduces the CCNTSRC - the Crosscast National Trophy Stage Race Competition, a kind of hybrid of the X2O scoring to the National Trophy races, but with fewer ducks.
Important note - if your podcast app uses a manual feed URL it will need to be updated.
In Episode 11 of Season 4 Neil and Matt say farewell to a season that almost didn't happen for the elite riders and fizzled out for the grass roots scene. However, they agree that despite the disruption, the pro and televised racing has been excellent entertainment, and the season-long narrative the most intriguing for years across all series.
They talk through the emotionally charged end of the Superprestige series from Middelkirke where Aerts won the elite men's series despite Sweeck taking the race win under the closest scrutiny from the team, and Brand did what she needed to complete the series despite Betsema taking the win. They are delighted to see the snow for the final two rounds of the X20 series where every second really did count for the elite women's competition with the whole series being won by just 5 seconds by Brand after a committed two races seeing her dig deep, but meaning that she won every competition of the year.
Neil is also delighted to have new namesake in Niels Vanderputte, who took the Brussels podium after a skills showcase on the snow and ice.
And in the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the 2021-2022 world cup with a rammed season of dates including a Stateside block and some back-to-back events in Europe.
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In Episode 10 of Season 4 Neil, Bruce, and Matt focus on the thrills and spills, the dreams that came true and the nightmare races, that came from the 2021 World Championships in Ostende.
In this strange season with no Dutch National Championships the rest of the world held back to allow the Dutch squad to fight it out and be awarded a clean sweep of rainbow jerseys.
The Crosscasters debate whether strategy or body composition had a bigger effect on the racing, and despair at the career changing flyover that saw two of the main U23 contenders have serious slippage that could have cost them the title and a vital element of a pro-rider's palmares.
Despite Neil trying to avoid it, they also give the results of The Crosscast Podium Predictions and congratulate the winner of the listeners competion and the best predictions from within the studio.
And in the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the last big races of the year due to come from Middelkerke, Lille and Brussels (if they don't get cancelled).
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In Episode 9 of Season 4 Bruce, Matt and Neil review the racing from Hamme and Overijse, the last test of the legs before the World Champs next week. The close racing at the front of the men's elite with a 1-1 score draw between Van Aert and Van der Poel, and 2-0 for Alvarado but a very timely and consistent rise to form for Bakker. And was Overijse worthy of being a world cup course?... (spoiler: yes it was flippin awesome).
And finally in crosstalk, Neil expresses his angst at the potential unethical treatment of giant rubber duckies being lashed down in sight of a giant lake but forbidden to swim in it.
In the Laastse Ronde they preview the 21-22 UK National Trophy and National Champs and of course the upcoming World Championships from Oostende. They unpick the course that is a lot more subtle than huge bridges and huge sand sections. And where is the crucial point to be ahead to win a new jersey? Is the bridge the crucial landmark, or too far out? Is there too much running to keep a leading group together?
They give their predictions and YOU CAN JOIN IN TOO THIS YEAR!!! Check the link here tinyurl.com/crosscastwc21
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In Episode 8 of Season 4 Matt and Neil look back over 5 days of New Year racing that contained 4 races, including 4 wins (or was it 5?) for Mathieu Van Der Poel (and David), and career best wins for Vas finishing on the top step twice.
They talk about how lessons in sprints and lunges are in order after top positions being decided in the final few cm three times over.
At Bredene they applaud the have-a-go attitudes of White and Franck; at Baal they disagree on how similar the conditions were to previous editions and talk, at length, on the old chestnut of appropriate race durations; at Gullegem they enjoyed the fun mini-features and Adams' spirit; at Hulst-not-Hulst they agree that the course was uninspired but what an amazing ride from a flawless Betsema.
Two quiz questions to look out for (can you do better than Matt?)... and who was it that gave Vos and Van Aert a Christmas project of respraying a couple of frames in the garage and finishing off with a packet of letraset?
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In Episode 7 of Season 4, Neil and Matt update on the latest big races of the Kerstperiode - Zolder and Dendermonde.
A contrasting pair of races with Zolder keeping to a classic course with another fast and flowing event, and Dendermonde being visited for the first time. They debate exactly how we got to having a World Cup on such a quagmire as Dendermonde, but recognise some fantastic performances from the likes of Pieterse, Honsinger, Turner and Mein. They also discuss course design in terms of rider safety for both events.
In the Laatste Ronde, they are joined by Cero - Cycle Division's Finn Mansfield to help preview the upcoming races at Bredene, Baal, Gullegem and Hulst, all of which he raced last year.... although the Hulst race this year is not actually coming from Hulst.
They discuss some of the unique features of each venue including the mini flyover for cats at Gullegem, and the downhill whoops at Baal.
With 4 races in 5 days it is going to be a busy new year.
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In Episode 6 of Season 4 Matt and Neil give a brief update and review of the recent series of cyclocross races on the continent, a series that has had ace race after ace race.
They talk about the fabulous racing at Namur, who was riding like a machine at robotland, and the heeby jeeby drops at Herentals.
And of course they mark a key result where van Aert won ahead of van der Poel for the first time since the Valkenburg world champs in Feb 2018.
Looking forwards they give as much info as there is (not a lot) about the upcoming World Cup in Dendermonde, and note that logistical difficulties could mean a depleted British squad.
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A Christmas special! In Episode 5 of Season 4 friend of the show and The Cyclocross Bible author Alex Forrester dives into the pits for an in-depth interview with Trinity Racing's Cameron Mason.
We have had the show waiting for a few weeks and it was recorded just between Cam's European Championships' U23 podium, and his broken collarbone collected at Merksplas: twitter.com/camerooney_/status/1330557887987519490?s=20
Don't forget to follow Alex at The Cyclocross Bible facebook.com/cxbible/
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In Episode 4 of Season 4 Neil and Matt come back after a break from recording to review what has been an exciting season so far in the European pro-ranks, but decimated elsewhere. Neil gives his impressions of Tabor, after making the most complicated trip of his life in order to be at the race as tech support for two of the GB squad.
They talk through who has class this year across all categories, not only including the winners of Pidcock, BƤckstedt, Mein, and Brand, but also quality performances further down the field such as Pieterse, Honsinger, Turner, and Sweek.
They dive into the pits with Amira Mellor, who gives us insight on her journey over the past few seasons, and returning to better form than ever in 2020.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to what promises to be another EPIC Namur this weekend hosting a strong and sizeable GB squad, and also look forward to Zolder on Boxing Day. They also reflect on the loss of races such as Diegem... and even Spa!
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The Crosscast S4E03 - Muddy Milnthorpe wishing for a washer
All the cyclocross news including reviews of the latest races, guests in the pits and previews of all the upcoming action from the other side of the tape.
In Episode 3 of Season 4 Matt is fresh back from commentating on the World Champs MTB and is clearly still buzzing from an uncharacteristically muddy edition. Neil is clearly buzzing from his excel wizardry on getting the first ever CVV standings calculated. Most importantly they review the first round of the British Cycling National Trophy from Milnthorpe, both in terms of it as an event considering the situation that we find ourselves in mid-pandemic, and also as a concept as we look to the future. Since recording it has been announced that 03 October 2020 (Day 1 of Milnthorpe) was the wettest day ever recorded in the UK! blog.metoffice.gov.uk/2020/10/16/rainfall-on-uks-wettest-day-on-record-could-have-more-than-filled-loch-ness/
They also review the first of the major European races including the favourite of Gieten, and dive into the pits with up and coming U23 Amy Perryman of Montezuma's Race Team, who was racing in The Netherlands.
And in the Laatste Ronde they update on the status of the UK and International calendar as it stands, but who knows what to expect over the next few months.
And in case you're wondering, the CVV 'Crosscast Virtual Victor' is our very own version of the DVV, where, just for fun, we will use the National Trophy timings to give an overall position for the whole season based on elapsed time.
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In Episode 2 of Season 4, Neil, Matt and Bruce start to look forward to the 2020-2021 cyclocross season, as it stood on 11 September. They look back at how the cx riders have been doing over the summer, including Wout van Aert winning more stages of the Tour de France than he won cx races last season... and Tom Pidcock winning more stages of the Baby Grio than he won cx races last season (as well as the overall).
They talk updates on teams that they can discuss, like Trek Factory Racing's dream team of Munro, Neff, Richards, Harnden and wonder whether they could achieve a clean sweep of rainbow stripes. They also hint at team news at IKO Crefan and Bruce's new team that will capable of achieving at lot.
Looking towards the upcoming season they give a brief overview of the international series that are ready to go, and give all the details relating to the UK National Trophy. They dive into the pits with friend of the show, Dave Haygarth who gives you all you need to know about round 1 at Milnthorpe. They also explain why the trophys are not UCI races this year.
And finally, Neil is clearly still cooped up, because he announces the Crosscast's very own CVV competition, rivaling the DVV in terms of status*, and making 15th century parallels with the upcoming battles in Kent, Lancaster, and York.
(*not strictly true)
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In the first episode of Season 4, Neil, Matt and Bruce give the lowdown on the lockdown including what they have been up to in the months since the last show during which time the world has changed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Recording from home, they review the status of each of the regional leagues in the UK (as of 12 June 2020); the status of the National Trophy is also addressed with an update of where things stand for each of the rounds. The issues and difficulties facing organisers are debated, perhaps giving insight into why there is no news from some of the key events that we would usually be looking forward to at this time of year.
They wonder how the rammed and planned September / October MTB, road, cross calendars can be achieved, with all-rounders needing to choose between classics, and fans (and sponsors) having to make difficult decisions of which races to follow.
Looking forwards they discuss what might happen and what might not for the 2020-2021 season and how they will get their fill of off-road cycling in the next few months.
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In the final episode of Season 4, Neil, Matt and Bruce review the final DVV and Superprestige races of the season, seeing a key win from Van Aert, and evidence that 'sprinters win on confidence' even in CX, with Alvarado continuing her outstanding record along the finishing straight in 2020.
They review the issue of Manon Bakker being fired from Experza after racing on non-sponsor wheels. They also discuss the classic camera shots and whether it is not necessary for race organisers to have a cablecam and a JCB... and explain why Lars van der Haar is a mental arithmetic whizz.
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to next season's National Trophy and discuss the implications of it being just 5 rounds, the loss of HSBC sponsorship, and how World Cup clashes will affect riders. They also have the latest on the new rounds, diving into the pits with Mark Deakin, the organiser of the Taunton race that few outside of the South West will have raced.
R1: Westmorland County Showground, Milnthorpe: 3-4 October
R2: Moorways, Derby: 24-25 October
R3: Cyclopark, Kent: 7-8 November
R4: Pontispool Sports Centre, Taunton: 21-22 November
R5: York Cycle Sport, York: 12-13 December
National Champs: The South of England Showground, Crawley: 9-10 January
Don't forget to subscribe for next year's shows!
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Wowzers what a mega showā¦ what a mega lineup!...
In Episode 13 of Season 3, Neil, Matt and Bruce are joined by Nikki Brammeier in the studio where they review the World Championships that came from Dubendorf in Switzerland. They review all of the races, and also ponder whether riders would be better motivated if they were awarded goodie bags for participating. They chat through the issues with the course, and for spectators, and how it changed from day to day.
They join Ben Goddard On The Ground, who chats with the legend Sven Nys, and future legends Millie Couzens, Rory McGuire, Cameron Mason and Evie Richards. Matt dives into the pits with the two British podium finishers Anna Kay and Tom Pidcock.
The most important competition of the year is of courseā¦ who is the best at predicting the winners - did you do any better?
In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the recently announced world cups for 2020-2021 to question whether this is really 'world' at all and hear views from Sven Nys. And finally they preview the end of the DVV and Superprestige series with Nikki and Bruce, who have both raced all of the key venues in recent years.
...and do you reckon that Ida Brammeier can follow the example of Thibault Nys in following their parents to cyclocross stardom? š
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In Episode 12 of Season 3, Neil, Matt and Bruce review the final round of the World Cup that came from Hoogerheide. The men's race went to form meaning that Toon Aerts retained the title of World Cup winner. The women's race was fabulously drama packed right until the line and saw Brand take the win ahead of Worst and Cant, after an arguably tactical disaster from Alvarado. That means Worst ended up victorious in the World Cup overall.
They mull over the controversial topic of the return of Betsema and the impact it has had in the world of CX, and also touch on the touchy topic of funding for the GB Cycling Team.
On the day that the new contract with Tormans is announced Matt dives into the pits with the sensational Thomas Mein, after another super season.
The main focus of the show is, of course, the Laaste Ronde, where the 6 World Champs races are previewed. We reckon that we are probably the most informed outlet anywhere for the ones to watch in the Junior Women's category. The team also give their views on who is looking strong for Switzerland and make predictions across all categoriesā¦ can you do any better?
And finally, they dive into the pits for some Wyman wisdom from on-the-ground at the venue to see how it's looking, how steep are those flyovers, how squidgy is the ground, and how tricky are the turns.
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In Episode 11 of Season 3, Neil, Matt and Bruce review the British National Championships from Shrewsbury that saw an expected win from Tom Pidcock, a composed second from Ben Tulett, and an excellent third from Cam Mason. Hattie Harnden took an awesome win excelling again in the mud ahead of Beth Crumpton with Anna Kay rounding out the podium. Tom and Hattie dive into the pits for a quick post-race catch up.
National Champs from elsewhere in Europe are reviewed, as is the penultimate World Cup from Nommay with its head-to-head, shout-at-the-screen moments right to the finish for both elite men and women's categories.
And in the Laaste Ronde, they preview Hoogerheide and wonder Hoo is going to take the women's title which is still wide open, and whether the likely men's World Cup winner is able to take a race win. Helen Wyman joins in as usual, giving her 100 seconds on the racer's view of the Netherlands race.
Did you know that it was only a second-ever elite podium for Cameron Mason (kudos in the Facebook comments if you know where he got his first-ever elite podium š)?
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In Episode 10 of Season 3, Neil and Bruce review the bumper Kerstperiode over the Christmas and New Year break. Neil was out in Belgium and on the ground for most of the races, and so we hear comment from up close to the tape, as well as from the pits. They talk through the Zolder World Cup, Wout's return at the DVV from Loenhout with the iconic oopsie whoopsies, the mega Diegem Superprestige night race, New Year new kit new shampoo from Baal, and the back-to-school Uni race from Brussels... and they refuse to even acknowledge the spiral of doom. They wonder where Iserbyt found his leg warmers and where the Telenet Baloise Lions jerseys have gone from the front of the men's field. They also give thoughts on the successful Helen 100 Junior Women's DVV with the future (and let's face it current) talent of US riders Madigan Munro and Lizzy Gunsalus, the well known and former Crosscast guest Zoe Backstedt, and Fem Van Empel (NL). Huw Williams dives into the pits with Anna Kay and Beth Crumpton as they prepare for the National Champs.
And in the Laaste Ronde Matt Payne dives into the pits to chat with Helen Wyman to get a regular 100s on the next world cup from Nommay, and they preview the imminent UK National Champs from Shrewsbury. Would you bet against Pidcock and Kay, the strongest favorites for years? Jersey-tastic.
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In Episode 9 of Season 3, the focus shifts from sand to mud. Neil, Matt, and Bruce review all the action from the National Trophy Finale in York that saw Gianni Siebens and Hattie Harnden take the races in tough muddy conditions, while Gosse VanderMeer and Ffion James secured their series titles. They dive into the pits with Gosse to talk tech with Hunt wheels, tyres and to talk about his season and future plans.
They review the historical race from Ronse that served up its usual comedy corners but saw Aerts break VanderPoel's streak of cyclocross wins in style, and Alvarado continue with her winning form.
And hot (or should that be cold) off the press they review an epic event at Namur where the weather conditions made an already challenging course even tougher with several riders having hard crashes and suffering in the cold.
And in the Laaste Ronde they dive into the pits to chat with Helen Wyman to get a regular 100s on the next world cup from Zolder, and preview the Christmas block of races from Louenhout, Diegem, Baal and Brussels.
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In Episode 8 of Season 3, Neil, Matt, and Bruce review all the sandy action from Pembrey, the penultimate round of the National Trophy that saw a season reviving ride from Gosse VanDerMeere. They talk through Koksijde and the impressive rides, not only for the win, and they also review Zonhoven which was a classic, even by Zonhoven's standards.
They dive into the pits with Cyclocross Bible author Alex Forrester to get all the details from Mol and review not only the technically challenging course but the challenge of sliding along tarmac in the big races.
howtorideabike.co.uk/the-cyclocross-bible/
And in the Laaste Ronde they dive into the pits to chat with Helen Wyman to get a regular 100s on the next world cup from Namur with its heeby jeeby descents and technical challenges. They also transition from Namur to manure with a preview of 'sliding in a cow field' Ronse.
Finally they give a preview of the National Trophy in York where the elite men's series is still wide open. They talk points, and how deep they go in the series and how hard they are to win. Matt talks about the challenges of the course with Phil Ingham, who seems to have put together a fitting end to a very close season.
You might also ask whether Matt's puppy left him any sausages for his tea.
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In Episode 7 of Season 3, Neil, Matt, and Bruce review all the action from recent events including the European championships coming from Italy which saw an old-school muddy course. They also talk through the Tabor World Cup and Hamme weekend double with its double winners in double events.
They don't neglect the awesome racing that occurred in Crawley with the strongest field in the UK for years and consider the merits of occasional stars picking up the big points, and try to work out who makes the steps in the run ups.
And in the Laaste Ronde they dive into the pits to chat with Helen Wyman to get a regular 100s on the next world cup from Koksijde which coincides with the most Koksijde-esque venue in the UK this season - Pembury. They also look forward to Mol, and Zonhoven. So that's two sandy races followed by another couple of sandy races. I hope you've brought your bucket and spade.
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In Episode 6 of Season 3, Neil, Matt, and Bruce review all the action from an action packed set of races on the Koppenburg that saw some flippin amazing performances from British riders in all categories. They also review the return of Matthieu van der Poel at Ruddervoorde and debate what this might mean for the rest of the season, and who is actually leading the Elite Men's Superprestige series.
They dive into the pits with Helen Wyman to get the latest Helen's 100 seconds on the upcoming World Cup in Tabor in the Czech Republic. They also preview the next round of the DVV in Hamme the following day; it's almost 1000km away on the road but it does have some lovely woods.
Before those races come the European Champs in Italy with a strong UK contingent and the next round of the National Trophy in Crawley. Neil, Matt and Bruce give you all the info and what to expectā¦ including the 27 Belgian and Dutch riders expected to make the journey to England.
And finally, they are geeked-out when Neil drops in the obscure UCI rule about eligibility to race abroad for the highest world-ranked riders, and how it needs to be interpreted (spoilerā¦ they're not 100% sure š)!
SYOTOSOTT #Kops&Rudders
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