The Crosscast Neil Mansfield, Matt Payne, and guests

In Episode 12 of Season 7, Neil Mansfield and Matt Payne are joined by Ian Field to review the 2024 World Championships that came from Tabor, Czechia.  The weekend started with a compelling team relay where strategy was key, and where GB were just pipped to the line by France.  Surely this race needs to be covered in full with dedicated graphics to make it more accessible to the less obsessive CX fans out there?

They talk through how day 1 saw Gery take her second jersey of the weekend and how the race with Ferguson could have unfolded differently in a different universe.  U23 men and Elite women's races went to form, with Van Empel's huge win being the biggest gap for years... this caused Neil's Crosscast podium prediction score to be scuppered - yes he is still gutted.

A badly timed puncture meant Sparfel could not make it 3 golds for France but gifted the win to wobbly-wheel Viezzi.  The predicted but no less impressive dominations from Backstedt and Van Der Poel give Ian, Matt, and Neil plenty to talk about, not least of which was Matt's impromptu invitation to / unintentional gatecrashing of Zdenek Stybar's family party.  

The biggest take-aways from the weekend are that we have worthy winners of the jerseys, France are on the up with a mega strong squad 12 months from a home World Champs, and that each of Ian, Neil and Matt were shown up by their family members in terms of predicting the podiums.

One more show, and then it's season's end.  See you then.
Support the show--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events, and both support the DonnyChainGang.

In Episode 11 of Season 7, Neil and Matt are joined by cyclocross talent, coach extraordinaire, and commentator on Discovery+, Ian Field.  They review the 14th round of the World Cup that came from Hoogerheide and query whose form is peaking when... some were at the end of a training block to prepare for the World Championships, and others seem to be coming along just nicely potentially challenging for a jersey next weekend.

They discuss whether Belgian Cyclocross is going through a rough patch with few of the podium places at the race or series going back to the country, with the Netherlands taking home most of the prizes this year in the World Cup.  They talk through whether 14 rounds is too many, or whether reducing it would undermine the concept of a series and allow riders to just dip in for part of the season and still take the series.  They also agree that the points in the U23 competition are plain silly daft, and should be fixed for next year - an easy change that will make it fairer.

In the Laatste Ronde they preview the biggest weekend of 2024, CX WORLDS coming from Tabor, Czechia.  They talk through the course and each category in detail.  This is unmissable listening for anyone wanting to get the most out of the World Champs or just impress your friends with your detailed knowledge straight from those who have raced there multiple times, or at least worked in the pits 😁. 

Neil, Matt and Ian make their predictions... can YOU do better?  Join in at the Annual Crosscast Competition that you can find here.  Please share with your clubs, teams, friends and family to see who can do the best.

https://forms.office.com/e/s5bWfqRaLL

Enjoy the weekend!
Support the show--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events, and both support the DonnyChainGang.

In Episode 10 of Season 7 Neil and Matt look back on a fabulous Falkirk National Championships with its perfect January weather, superb location, awesome atmosphere and cracking course. They talk through each of the UCI category races, with Mason defending his jersey and Kay taking the title for the first time.  Both were popular wins with the local crowd for Mason and Kay having been a CX pro for a while, and the win coming 5 years after her first time on the National elite podium.  
 They talk through the action from further down the elite field, things that were not shown on the TV coverage.  The juniors saw Ferguson have an impressively dominant ride worthy of someone ready to take on the World's best with her imminent movi to Movistar, and first year Oscar Amey took the Junior Men's title meaning that the jersey will be on show next season.
 They talk through the National Champs from other nations including the Netherlands and Belgian races with a host of winners coming with season back-stories.
 Benidorm World cup is reviewed, a race that saw a huge amount of grit on show for all of the podium finishers, none of whom had an easy ride, with Alvarado repeatedly chasing down the dynamic duo at the front, and even Van der Poel showing that he can have a bad day.  

The big question remains... if the commentator's curse is real, should Matt take some of the blame/credit for Van Aert's tumble on the hurdles that delivered even more action at the race finale?
Support the show--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events, and both support the DonnyChainGang.

In Episode 9 of Season 7, Neil and Matt pull together a bumper show as a special for those of you who have long drive to Falkirk to watch or even race at the British National Cyclocross Championships.

The final round of the 23-24 Trophy is reviewed, a race that came from Tong where a respectably rideable course was a great achievement for a race that coincided with serious floods and waterlogged ground across much of the UK.  They also talk through what makes an event a success... and agree that it is much more than just a race course.

They finally open the can of worms reviewing practicalities of the National Trophy, geeking out over numbers and asking whether the drop in competitors this year is the next step in a multi-year decline and question why.  Neil quizzes Matt on whether he can guess which 4 National Trophies have had the highest and lowest entries over the last 7 years (go on... can YOU work it out?!).

While much of the show is a deep dive into organisation, there is also plenty of racing covering the World Cups from Hulst and Zonhoven, and also a bit of Baal with a side of Koksijde.

In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to what is set to be an enthralling National Championships from a spectacular venue with hugely competitive fields across all categories.  Will the favorites bring home a jersey or could some wildcards spring a surprise?... 

Can Imogen Wolff challenge for an U23 podium riding up from Juniors or could she be battling with Nikki Brammeier (who was on the U23 podium the year Wolff was born)?  And listeners, we hope that you take careful note of the family battles... can younger brothers get the better of the older in the Askey, Barnes, Chilton, and Amey households?
Support the show--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events, and both support the DonnyChainGang.

In Episode 8 of Season 7, Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by cycling icon, Canyon SRAM sports director, and expert pit crew Magnus Bäckstedt.  

They review the first half of the kersteperiod that has featured fully loaded A-Z of start lists (Alvarado to Zoe Bäckstedt) a featuring World Cups with the sand of Antwerp and the mud of Gavere.  They talk through a great edition of Zolder with Van Aert clocking up a hat trick of consecutive Zolder wins, and the annual excitement of Diegem.

The incident involving Matthieu Van Der Poel and Felipe Nystrom is unpacked, with views exchanged on how to keep the front of the race clean, while keeping racing further down the field meaningful. 

They also talk through some great form from Del Grosso, Cant, Mason and up and coming juniors Ferguson and Wolff.

In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to Hulst (fun fun fun), Baal (hmmm), Koksijde (over-rated), and Zonhoven (woohoo!).

They preview Tong National Trophy, the final round for 23-24 season... and Magnus gives a Crosscast Exclusive that Zoe Bäckstedt will not be defending her National title for 2024, as she prepares for the World Champs.
Support the show--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events, and both support the DonnyChainGang.

In Episode 7 of Season 7 Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by Lars Van Der Haar, simply one of the most successful cyclocross riders of his generation.  

They talk about the cyclocross community and fitting in family with CX, as well as how young riders can be inspired to pursue sport by the pros.  

While chatting through the action from Herentals and Namur they talk through race tactics and how the Van Der Holeshot can be important in keeping a race under control, and of course they mention the fabulous starts from Matthieu Vanderpoel and Ruby James (💪💪💪).  

Lars reflects on how an early puncture at Namur meant he needed to chase for the whole race, although Pidcock was, as expected, in his element on the Citadel.  They also discuss how Alvarado, Brand, van Empel and Pieterse are peaking in form.

In the Laatste Ronde they talk through rider-favorites from the Kersteperiod, and how Lars will be missing Zolder this year despite having a fantastic track record there.

The big question remains... will Lars ever manage to add Richard Groenendaal's autograph to his collection?
Support the show--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events, and both support the DonnyChainGang.