This weekend sees the Rapha Super Cross Series spring into life at the Lake District Visitor Centre, Windermere on Saturday 15 October, on a course designed by legendary UK mountain biker Nick Craig.
The Rapha Super Cross has been inspired by the US ‘cross scene, the three events are perfect for all members of the family and entry for spectators is free. Expect entertaining racing for children and adults, free cowbells for all music, frites, beer tent and trade stalls.
Similar to mountain biking, cyclo-cross racing is as entertaining for spectators as it is for competitors. Consisting of racing flat out for around 45 minutes, doing laps on courses which include steps, woodland, water, muddy hillsides and any obstacles that organisers care to include, it is exhilarating and exhausting. Brockhole at Windermere is an ideal setting for a ‘cross race, with three climbs and other natural hurdles, all set in beautiful waterside surroundings.
Course designer, and Scott UK team captain, Nick Craig, is looking forward to the weekend: “Racing up the drive and around the garden at the splendid Brockhole (Windermere) will feel amazing. It’s a classic course with a few surprises, more akin to the early days of cyclo-cross but on the edge of Windermere. Do not miss this one! The following day at Huddersfield it’s more Euro style with off-camber banks looping around the fields and woods.”
Big rivalries exist in cyclocross and on Saturday the current and former national champions will lead their teams in the first in the Rapha Super Cross series. Hope Factory Racing and current National Team Champions, Hargroves Cycles-Specialized-Trant-Next, will be competing to win a share of the £6000 prize money. Other big name confirmed Elite teams will be racing along with a talented group of U23s.
Jody Crawforth, 2010 National Trophy Series Champion, is looking forward to leading his team, Hargroves Cycles-Specialized-Trant-Next, to victory in this series: “We will be going all out to win this, especially as the series is in its first year.. A personal rivalry obviously exists between Paul and me and this series will be no exception to that. We will be battling it out to the end.”
And it’s a similar sentiment from Paul Oldham from Hope Factory Racing and current National Champion: “I won the North of England championships on the Brockhole course at Windermere when it was covered in snow. Our team is good and we definitely fancy our chances. I’ll be looking to beat Jody for sure.”
Along with the elite race, seniors, veterans, women and under-12s will be racing and at Windermere there will be an additional fun circuit for younger kids who would like to have a go but not race (bring a bike and a helmet). For spectators, live music, food and beer will provide the perfect entertainment between races.
For more information: www.rapha.cc/super-cross
Rapha Super Cross Series: Windermere – 15th October, Huddersfield – 16th October, Alexandra Palace – 23rd October
Share