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 treat², and Van der Poel a treat³ 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.

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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

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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 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 season’s 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 ‘Rutland’ 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

--
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 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!

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 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 didn’t 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 😜.

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.