Eleven years on from his famous victory in the junior category at the 1992 World Cyclo-Cross Championships in Leeds, Roger Hammond (below) remains GB's best hope of glory at this weekend's World Championships in Monopoli in southern Italy.

In reality, though, all eyes will be on the awesome Belgians, who have dominated top level Cyclo-Cross for years and who pulled off a spectacular one-two-three in the 2002 men's race, with the title going to Mario De Clerque. His win was all the more entertaining in that, once they had eliminated the threat of the other nation's leading riders, the Belgians faught each other tooth and nail for the title.

In contrast to the technical course used for last year's event in Belgium, and the predominantly muddy conditions 'Cross riders thrive in, the course at Monopoli will be extremely fast with grass and tarmac the predominant surfaces. Course designer is Italian twice world champion (1979 and 1986) Vito Di Tano.

Beyond the leading Belgians, De Clerque, Sven Nijs (twice under-23 champion and twice senior bronze medalist) and Erwin Vervecken (2001 champion), riders to watch out for include Dutchman Richard Groenendaal, the 2000 champion and perhaps Daniele Pontoni, the last Italian to win the title, back in 1997.

Our tip is Sven Nijs, who is due to win the title soon......or any other Belgian!

SCHEDULE

Saturday 1st February
11.00 - 11.50 Junior Men
14.00 - 15.00 Men - under 23 years

Sunday 2nd February
10.00 - 10.50 Junior Women / Elite
12.40 - 13.50 Men Elite

LINKS/FURTHER INFO

Eurosport are scheduled to show highlights of the men's race on Tuesday at 12.30 pm - check your TV listings magazines for confirmation.

The official event website is www.cyclocross2003.com

GB TEAM RIDERS

Elite Men
Stuart Wearmouth
David Collins
Matthew Ellis
Roger Hammond

Under-23 Men
Steven Roach
Shaun Snodden

Junior Men
Ian Bibby
Adam Gascoigne
Ian Field
Richard Kipling

Women
Isla Rowntree
Victoria Wilkinson

SUPPORT STAFF
Martin Eadon Team Manager
Phil Jones Team Masseur
Yves Aerts Team Masseur
Peter Hargroves Team Mechanic
Geoff Shergold Team Mechanic
John Derland Team Mechanic
Brian Furness Technical Co-ordinator

� British Cycling 2002/2003

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