Reigning men’s champion Ian Field is expecting a ‘big challenge’ from ever-improving young riders as he looks to win a seventh HSBC UK | National Trophy title.
The 2019/20 series gets under way later this month in Derby, with all six rounds taking place this side of Christmas, before the national championships are contested in Shrewsbury over the weekend of January 11-12.
Field has been the standard bearer for British cyclo-cross for the best part of a decade, and won his sixth consecutive national trophy title last year. As he admits though, it was one of his most difficult campaigns, and he expects the level of competition to be equally - if not more - tough this year.
The Neon Velo rider said:
“Last year was a really tough season. I had a mechanical at round 1 in Derby, then the constant visits from top European riders, along with the British-based under-23s really stepping up, made it one of my hardest seasons. It was honest racing with no let-up.
“I would obviously love to win a seventh series in a row this year, and I know that to do that, I have to score as many podiums as possible along the way. Winning is one thing, but trying to maintain that success is even tougher, so it will be a big challenge, but with the support of Neon Velo and Cannondale Bikes it’s a challenge I’m excited about.”
After Derby, the national trophy takes in Milnthorpe, Irvine, Crawley and Pembrey Country Park before concluding in York. Field says that, having battled unusually dry conditions during last season, he is hoping for a helping hand from the weather as he looks to keep his competitors at bay
“The conditions can really change a season,” he added. “The dry, fast conditions we seemed to have week in, week out last year were not particularly to my liking, so I have my fingers crossed for a wetter winter this year!
“Of the competition, I think that once again Yorben Van Tichelt, my team-mate, will be tough to beat as he is always fast on British circuits, and Braam Merlier won a number of rounds last season so I would love to get the better of him when he comes to visit. I also think that any number of under-23 riders could step up from last year and be pushing for the yellow jersey rather than the green.”
The fact that Britain has a number of exciting young prospects is continuing to push the standard domestically, and Field is rightly proud of the role that he has played in this improvement in recent years – both as a competitor and as a mentor to younger riders.
“I would like to think I have tried to up the standard of the domestic racing by racing here as much as possible in the past few years,” he said. “It’s important to race at home to really inspire the next generation, and the standard here is definitely improving year-on-year, and has taken a big step in the last couple of years.
“For many years I’ve been the only professional male cyclo-cross rider Britain has had, so I’ve seen encouraging younger riders as a really important part of my role. I am always open to trying to help and inspire, whether that’s by racing the national trophy, answering riders’ questions or through coaching.
“It is a great way of giving back to the sport, and I can't wait to see the next generation of riders to come through to the elite ranks and really push for podiums and medals at world championships in the future.”
The 2019/20 HSBC UK | National Trophy begins at Moorways, Derby, on September 21-22. Full details of the series are available here.
