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As the leaves begin to turn brown and temperatures start to dip towards single digits there’s a certain cohort of cyclists that feel a rush of adrenaline at the thought of what’s to come. A glance at their race calendars reveal a key date, circled in red; it’s nearly time for the 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross race!
The 59th edition of the 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross race takes place in the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park on Sunday 24th September. It presents a unique challenge to every competitor, with no other race else quite like it. Every year the 3 Peaks attracts thousands of entries, with a ballot system determining the final selection of racers due to line up for the start at Helwith Bridge. That tightly-packed group of racers will include anxious first-timers keen to tick this grueling challenge off their cycling bucket list, experienced racers who have travelled far and wide to measure up against this unique challenge and seasoned campaigners who welcome another chance to take on the 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross race.
Be inspired by last year’s edition. Click the link.
Waiting ahead of the competitors will be a testing 38 mile loop around the iconic Yorkshire Dales, with 20 miles off-road and 18 miles on-road as well as 5,000 feet of climbing some of which is completely unrideable. Racers will summit the 3 peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and finally Pen-Y-Ghent; they’ll be cheered on by large crowds of supporters, with friends and family providing trackside assistance, armed with spare wheels and drinks bottles. As in previous years racers from our own Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team will be action and are ready to show themselves at the sharp end of the race.
Riders take on Simon Fell, climbing towards the top of Ingleborough, the first of the 3 Peaks.
Our super-talented Cyclo-Cross racer Giles Drake heads into this edition of the 3 Peaks with renewed vigour and high hopes for a successful campaign without any mechanical problems. In last year’s edition lady luck was not on Giles’ side as he incurred multiple punctures at unfortunate moments in the race; he would puncture three times, while leading the race or chasing back to eventual winner Robb Jebb, however Giles’ tenacious attitude helped him stay focused and complete the race, crossing the line in a brilliant fourth place.
Despite a run of bad luck, with multiple punctures, Giles Drake go on to finish in 4th place in the 2023 edition.
Despite that strong showing, Giles’ frustration at the end of the race was clear to see and we all know he’s keen make amends in 2023. His build up to this year’s race has gone well, with consistent training leaving him ready to take a good result. He’s got a fantastic support team around him to help ensure he’s got all the nutrition and mechanical assistance he needs at key points on the course and there’s been a lot of time and energy spent refining tyre choice and tubeless set-up so we go into this edition of the 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross race with high hopes for another strong performance from Giles.
Drake close on the heels of eventual race winner Rob Jebb.
When it comes to pre-race knowledge there aren’t many competitors out there more experienced than Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli’s Lewis Craven. The 2023 edition will be Lewis’ 15th time racing over the grueling peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-Y-Ghent and he always arrives at the start line fit and ready to perform. As a former World Masters Cyclo-Cross Champion and current National Masters Cyclo-Cross Champion Lewis will rely on his formidable bike-handling skills, honed over countless seasons to steal back time on the technical descents and we know he’ll be towards the front of the race when it counts.
Lewis Craven resplendent in his World Masters Cyclo-Cross Champion jersey in last year’s 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross race.
Good luck to everyone who is racing the 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross this year! If you’re thinking of coming along for the first time as a spectator we encourage you to do so, this unique race never fails to impress thanks to the sheer scale of the Peaks, the tenacity of the riders and the sheer ridiculousness of witnessing riders take on some of the most challenging off-road riding imaginable on what are essentially fat-tried road bikes! The Wheelbase media team will be in attendance, working hard to capture all the action, so look out for a full report and video coming shortly after the race.
You can find out more about the 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross 2023 race on their event website HERE.
Written by Johnny Dodgin
Photos by James Vincent
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