Over the past 12 months, some of Britain’s most talented young riders have been tearing up the cyclo-cross courses of Europe. But as the lure of other disciplines such as road await, what does the future hold for the country’s next generation?
On a Saturday evening in early November 2017, Matt Ellis, British Cycling’s cyclo-cross coordinator, was sat in the basement restaurant of a hotel outside Tabor in the Czech Republic. Ellis was there for the European Championships, an event from which his team would return with two medals: a men’s under-23 silver for Tom Pidcock and a bronze for Tulett in the men’s junior race.
Those results came in the midst of a successful cyclo-cross period for Britain’s youngsters. Both Pidcock and Tulett had won their respective races at Koppenbergcross four days earlier and both would win again in Belgium before the year was out, Pidcock being particularly dominant in World Cup races.
Elsewhere on the Continent under-23 Evie Richards won the elite women’s World Cup race in Namur, Sean Flynn claimed a couple of top-five finishes in junior races and Anna Kay and first-year junior Harriet Harnden secured top-20 finishes in elite races among the likes of Sanne Cant and Katie Compton. Then, as the 2017/18 cyclo-cross season neared its end, Tulett and Richards both won rainbow jerseys in Valkenburg.
With cyclo-cross the poor relation of other cycling disciplines in Britain these are results of real note and offer the hope of a bright future. But the inescapable truth is that the lure of road, track or mountain biking, and the increased availability of funding they offer, is never far away. So why are Britain’s youngsters performing so well in cross and where do their futures lie?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike