With the 2024 British National Cyclo-cross Championships set to kick off in Falkirk this weekend, get ready for plenty of exhilarating, mud-splattered action with our preview. 

Find out more about the course at Callender Park, our ones to watch, and how you can follow all of the action in person or from home via the BBC.

The venue

This will be the first time Scotland has hosted the British National Cyclo-cross Championships, with the scenic Callender Park providing a picturesque backdrop for some epic racing. Home to the 14th century Callendar House, Falkirk has been a spectator and rider favourite on the National Trophy Series calendar, with last year’s round seeing Millie Couzens and Scottish rider Cameron Mason taking victories there.

The demanding course will be a true test of cyclo-cross prowess, with muddy technical sections where skill and agility are paramount, the steep challenge of ‘The Wall’, and fast descents which will demand physical strength and finesse. 

Elite and under-23 riders from across Britain will navigate the course on Saturday in a bid for the coveted national champion’s jerseys, as will the junior and open veteran 50+ and 60+ riders. On Sunday, youth riders, female veterans and open veteran 40+ riders will be racing. 

Ones to watch

Local rider Cameron Mason will look to retain his national title this weekend, having taken the win at last year’s nationals in Cumbria. Mason has had a strong season, finishing second at the UEC European Cyclo-cross Championships, and securing top 15 finishes in UCI World Cups. He will be looking to finish on a high at Falkirk – a circuit he has raced on since childhood.

Mason will face fierce competition from the likes of Thomas Mein, winner of the National Trophy Series, who has shown consistent strength throughout the season, and also from Groupama-FDJ rider Lewis Askey. A road rider by trade, Askey has shown his strength as a multi-disciplined rider, winning the West Midlands regional cyclo-cross championships in December, and also a mountain bike round in the 2023 National Cross-country Series. Other riders to watch include Oliver Akers, Toby Barnes, Dan Barnes, Jenson Young, Ben Askey and Scottish champion Lewis Martin.

The absence of Zoe Backstedt leaves the elite female race wide open, with Millie Couzens looking to repeat her victory in last season's National Trophy round in Falkirk to take another win at the venue. She will face stiff competition by major contender Anna Kay, who has had a strong season, having won the second round of the National Trophy Series and also was victorious in all three of the Hope Supercross rounds, before finishing seventh at the European championships in November. 

Kay will be challenged by multiple national champion and UCI World Cup winner Nikki Brammeier, who was victorious in the third National Trophy Series round. Still in the under-23 category, National Trophy Series winner Elena Day will also be vying for a place on the podium, and will be challenged by junior rider Imogen Wolff. Wolff has been a powerful contender at the UCI World Cup junior races throughout the winter and has decided to ride in the elite category. Other riders to watch include Ella Maclean-Howell, Hope Inglis, Ruby James, Alderney Baker, Elizabeth McKinnon and Kacey Eyeington.

 

There is plenty of excitement surrounding the junior female category, with road world silver medallist Cat Ferguson spearheading the line-up. The 17-year-old, who is gearing up to ride on the road for Women’s WorldTour team Movistar, has had a brilliant season on the ‘cross bike, taking regular world cup podiums. Domestically, Alice Colling has put in some fantastic performances at the National Trophy Series, taking the overall victory. Isabel Mayes, Rebecca Woodvine, Esther Wong and Madeline Moorhouse Smith will also be hopeful to come away with a medal. 

Junior riders and brothers, Oscar and Alfie Amey, will be out for podium places this weekend, having performed exceptionally in the National Trophy Series this year. Sebastian Grindley, Lewis Tinsley, and Seth Jackson will also be ones to watch after consistent results throughout the season.

Where to watch 

Fans can come and cheer on our fantastic British riders in Falkirk, and experience the thrill of cyclo-cross racing in a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere. The championships will take place at Callendar Park, Falkirk, FK1 1YR. 

Falkirk High train station is a five-minute walk from the west end of Callendar Wood and local buses serve all sides of Callendar Park. Parking is available at Callendar Business Park, Callendar Boulevard, Falkirk, FK1 1XR. Please follow directional signs on Callendar Road and follow the direction of marshals when arriving in the business park. There are a number of areas of the business park not available for parking on the day including Antonine House, Office of the Public Guardian, The Forum and Link Housing.  

This weekend we have once again invested to ensure that our members and fans across the country can watch all of the action live from home.

The elite races will be broadcast live from 11:20 on the BBC Sport website, BBC Sport app and BBC iPlayer, with commentary from Marty McDonald and Helen Wyman. 

The elite and junior races will also be streamed in full on the British Cycling YouTube channel here, starting at 9:15.

Racing schedule

Saturday

Junior open – 09:25

Junior female – 10:25

Elite and under-23 female – 11:25

Elite and under-23 open – 13:15

Veteran 50-59 open – 14:45

Veteran 60+ open – 14:46

Sunday

Veteran 40-49 female – 09:25

Veteran 50-59 and 60+ female – 09:26

Youth under-16 female – 10:25

Youth under-14 female – 10:26

Youth under-14 open – 12:20

Youth under-16 open – 13:20

Veteran 40-49 open – 14:20