Preview: 2007 National Cyclo-Cross Championships: Southampton Sports Centre

A course that will favour the strong and the brave? Luke Webber runs an eye over the National Championships' course, whilst Phil Ingham looks at the Runners and Riders.

On January 6 and 7 the biggest event on the UK cyclo-cross calendar will return to Southampton, following a 13-year hiatus. The red, white and blue jersey is currently donned by road pro, Roger Hammond who will make his return to a course that handed him his first senior title in 1994. Hammond, however will be far from unrivalled in a race that will contain Commonwealth Champ and 2006 runner-up, Liam Killeen and stars of the National Trophy, including Jody Crawforth, Nick Craig, Ian Field and local rider Stuart Bowers. For full details of who is riding Start List - Nationals

Overview of the National Championships' Venue, Southampton Sports Centre

On a blustery December afternoon, dedicated organisers of the event Geoff Shergold, Paul Coates, Kerie Wallace and Gary Allan took me around a 2.7km lap that could present a fearsome challenge, or a highspeed shootout, depending on how kind the weather is. The first portion of the course is run in reverse to last year's National Trophy which sees the removal of the technical off-camber bank, which will aid closer racing.

Start Loop (0.7km)
All races will get underway on the 400 metre track, shooting off around the lake, through a short grassy section before rejoining the course proper. What follows will be a sight to behold as over 70 Elite racers will sprint along a tarmac straight, continuing up to the first climb.

The Lap (2.7km)
Ascending up a gradual but punishing road for around 0.4km the race now makes its way off road and onto the trademark grassy fields (pit 1). Mud here is commonplace and following a brief descent riders skirt around the edge of the bank and straight up a short sharp incline. The best will ride this, but on the first lap expect a dab to mean carnage.

The course now winds up and down, before reaching its lowest point. This is followed by what I predict to be the deciding area of the lap. A killer climb on mud, sloppy in patches before a very brief descent which leads upward into the copse. Any rider who manages to ride this whole section in the wet (gloopy, sticky mud with shoe-swallowing holes) deserves a beer.

Ian Field, contender for the Under-23 title and Helen Wyman, hot favourite for the women's title

Exiting the copse, riders descend at full speed toward the focal point of the course; a slick off-camber hairpin bend, followed by the boards and pit 2. This 2 minute section will decide the race, so keep your eyes on this one!

The lap is now at around halfway, but there is still more mud with a small descent, some more winding around a field, a short power climb and then a tricky muddy bank to negotiate. Following this is the main downhill and another short steep climb up to the back end of the Sports Centre. From here riders make their way across to the long tarmac straight and the finish line which will be tantalisingly placed at the top of the tarmac climb.

My prediction for the Senior event? The weather will play a big part. If it is wet, expect a battle of attrition with many riders off the back by lap two. It will be a spectacle which will favour the strong and the brave, and one which is guaranteed to get 2007 off to a great start. See you at Southampton!

Runners and Riders

The outstanding favourite for the Women's championship will be Helen Wyman, a genuinely world class 'Cross rider, who consistently places in the top ten against the best rdiers in Europe. The only two riders in the field capable of pressurising Helen are probably Louise Robinson a past champion, though an irregular competitor at this level these days, and Amy Hunt, who is one of the country's best up and coming off-road riders. Gabriella Day, winner of the recent Bradford National Trophy rider is a good bet for a podium place if either Amy or Louise falters.

The men's championship has been dominated in recent years by Roger Hammond, who generally wins if he makes it to the start line. However, as last year's great race showed, there are an increasing number of riders capable of pushing him all the way. Liam Killeen is an obvious one to watch, having gone close last year. Liam rarely puts himself on the line unless he thinks he can do himself justice and you can be sure he thinks he can win this event.

Rob Jebb and Jody Crawforth - contrasting riders who both have a chance!

Others to keep an eye on are Ian Field, who has variable form, but who can be pretty unbeatable on his day. Ian starts as favourite for the Under-23 title which is run off with the senior race. He could just win both!

Four other names to toy with are Phil Dixon , Jody Crawforth, Dave Collins and Rob Jebb. Jody has probably been the most consistent rider at national level for several seasons and with his strong sprint and technical ability he will always give himself a chance. Dave and Phil are both consistent performers who have had outstanding years in a range of disciplines. Neither seems to get the luck they deserve, so perhaps this race will be their day! Rob has often seemed to come up short against the top 'Cross riders at national level, but the 3-Peaks king now has a national trophy win under his belt and if the mud forces riders to run, it will really suit him.

The Veteran's title should produce a two-horse race, with Adrian Timmis pitting his great natural talent and excellent record in major championships against the equally ageless Chris Young, who has enjoyed a fantastic 'Cross season this year and whose week-in-week-out racing may just give him the edge.

The Junior Men's race will be one of the most eagerly anticipated, with David Fletcher, Alex Paton and Jonathan McEvoy all recording wins in the national series this year and all capable of winning on the day. Paton's recent form probably just give him the edge.

Schedule

Saturday 6 January

11:30 Veteran 50+ Championship    
    
12:45 Youth Championship    

14:00 Veteran 40-49 Championship    
    
    
Sunday 7 January

11:00 Women's Championship    

12:30 Junior Men's Championship    
    
14:15 Senior & Under-23 Men's Championship 

Venue

Southampton Sports Centre Thornhill Road SOUTHAMPTON SO16 7AY