3 PEAKS CYCLO CROSS

 

IT’S BACK! THREE YEARS AFTER THE PRE-COVID 2019 EDITION, THE 3 PEAKS CYCLO CROSS RACE TAKES PLACE IN THE STUNNING YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK ON SUNDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER.

The 58^th edition of the 3 Peaks provides a unique spectacle for competitors and spectators alike. There’s simply no other race like the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross, an event which attracts a mix of 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 a race like nothing else and seasoned campaigners who welcome another chance to take on the 3 Peaks and refine their race craft (our own team rider Dave Haygarth has completed 21 editions to date!)

Photo: Dan Monaghan

 

We have a number of Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team riders taking part in this year’s race including Giles Drake, who has shown his strength in recent editions of the race, finishing in 3^rd place in 2018 behind multiple 3 Peaks winners Paul Oldham and Rob Jebb. In the most recent race in 2019 Giles was looking good for at least another podium position, however a navigation error in thick fog on the top of the first peak saw Giles plummet from 2^nd place to 45^th and trail 10 minutes behind race-leader Rob Jebb. Giles went on to recompose himself to take an excellent 7^th place in the 2019 race, however that mistake cost him dearly and we know just how much that has motivated Giles to return to the race this year in full form and ready to deliver the kind of result that we all know he can achieve – the win.

Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli will also field experienced 3 Peaks competitor and current World Masters Cyclo Cross Champion Lewis Craven who has already ridden this event 13 times before and can be considered as a true expert of the Peaks who can always be found at the sharp end of the race. When it comes to the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross race there aren’t many competitors on the start line that are more enthusiastic than Dave Haygarth; having competed in the Peaks more than 20 times Dave knows every sweeping turn, steep rise and jagged rock on the course. Two of our younger racers will be in action too with Oli Dawson and Ryan Middlemiss both showing that magic mix of race fitness and sublime bike-handling skills required to take a good result on this technical course.

Photo: Dan Monaghan

 

There’s over 1500m of vertical ascent spread over the 68km course with riders required to summit the peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-Y-Ghent. In between those formidable peaks there are fast sections of road, unsurfaced bridleways and 6-8km of completely unrideable terrain, which sees riders having to shoulder their bikes and walk or run up those unforgiving gradients. If the distance, terrain and cumulative ascent weren’t enough throw in some likely inhospitable late-September Yorkshire weather and there’s a recipe for a grueling but spectacular bike race. We’ll be there with our photographer and videographer to capture all the action from the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross race; look out for a full report coming shortly after the race.

This year’s race takes place this coming Sunday, 25th September. Riders will roll out from Helwith Bridge at 9:30am. More information can be found on the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross official website.

Photo: Dan Monaghan

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

All photos by Dan Monaghan