2024 NATIONAL CYCLO-CROSS CHAMPS

The Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli Cyclo-cross team came together for a great showing and collective success at the 2024 British National Cyclo-Cross Championships at Callendar Park, Falkirk in Scotland, with all of our riders placing highly in their respective race categories.

The Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team were at the sharp end of the men’s Elite race.

On a super-technical course which demanded high levels of skill as well as a well-timed peak in form the team placed 4 riders in the top 20 of the Elite National Championships. In a race which saw international rider Cameron Mason retain his National Champs title our highest-placed rider Callum Laborde took an excellent 10^th place overall while finishing 5^th in the under 23 sub-category. Joe Smith and Flynn Gregory were not far behind in 12^th and 13^th overall respectively while seasoned campaigner Giles Drake consolidated another successful season with 19^th place.

Callum Laborde took an excellent 10th place in the Elite race.

A strong ride from Joe Smith left him in 12th position at the chequered flag.

Flynn Gregory finished just behind his teammate to take 13th overall in the Elite race as well as 7th in the U23 sub-category.

Giles Drake completed another consistent season, finishing just inside the top 20 at the National Champs.

Ishbel Strathdee raced strongly in the Women’s Elite/U23 category, a field of riders which included multiple international racers and former national champions including Anna Kay who took the win and Nikki Brammeier who was making a return to racing after starting a family. Wheelbase’s Ishbel would go on to secure an excellent 15^th place overall in this demanding race.

Ishbel lined up against a very talented field of UK elite women and came away with an excellent 15th place.

Elsewhere, in the Vet40 race our defending National Champion Lewis Craven was unable to repeat his win of last season, but still took an excellent 2^nd place in a field stacked with the very best of racing talent from the past 20 or so years of UK racing. Local fan favourite Davie Lines wasn’t far behind finishing in an excellent 5^th place in front of a home crowd.

Defending Vet 40 National Champ Lewis Craven in action.

Foot out, flat out. Lewis makes short work of a tricky off-camber section.

Scottish rider Davie Lines got plenty of cheers at his home race.

Lewis Craven finished the Vet40 race in an excellent 2nd place!

Lewis Craven takes the silver medal at the National Cyclo-Cross Championships.

Lewis signing off the ‘Cross season in style. Cheers!

Out Vet50 racer Dave Haygarth took another quality top 20 placing in his race, with 14^th place completing a curtailed season which saw him coming late into the fold following a long-term injury. Unfortunately Elsie Haygarth was unable to start her U16 race following a recent bout of illness, but was there in a supportive role in a cycling discipline that boasts a tight network of friends and family.

Dave Haygarth, enjoying the technical nature of the Falkirk course.

Dave would finish in an excellent 14th place in the Vet50 category.

We’d like to thank the Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team for another great season of racing, tirelessly representing us all over the UK. HUGE thanks to all of our team helpers who work hard behind the scenes to keep the wheels turning in what is unarguably the dirtiest, grittiest, MUDDIEST cycling discipline of them all!

Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli Race Results

Elite Men / U23

Callum Laborde 10^th overall / 5^th U23

Joe Smith 12^th overall / 6^th U23

Flynn Gregory 13^th overall / 7^th U23

Giles Drake 19^th overall

Elite Women / U23

Ishbel Strathdee 15th

Vet 40

Lewis Craven 2^nd

Davie Lines 5^th

Vet 50