
Have you heard the news?..
The National Cyclo-Cross Championships is coming to Cumbria!
Wheelbase are pleased to announce that next season’s Cyclo-Cross season will culminate with the big one – The 2023 National Cyclo-Cross Championships will take place just down the road from our Lake District HQ at the Westmorland Country Showground near Milnthorpe and conveniently located just off the M6 motorway.
Wheelbase team rider Lewis Craven in action at Westmorland Cross in October 2021.
As some of you will already know Wheelbase have been the event sponsors at the venue for a number of years and have enjoyed watching the race venue move from a regional-level event as part of the North West Cyclocross Association league races to a national-level event as part of the UK’s National Trophy series, all under the guidance of Wheelbase Cyclo-Cross Team’s Dave Haygarth and his loyal band of helpers. With Dave’s passion for racing AND race organise he has consistently delivered, creating a challenging race course that suits both elite racers and less-experienced racers alike. Overcoming many challenges including the restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic Dave and his team were the only national-level race venue to be able to successfully run a round of the National Trophy series in October 2020 when the Coronavirus was at its height. Wheelbase along with Dave and his team have been justly awarded for their efforts over these past few years with British Cycling awarding us next year’s National Cyclo-Cross Championships.
Wheelbase’s Rory McGuire took the holeshot at last year’s edition of the National Trophy at Westmorland.
British Cycling’s Cycling Delivery Director, Dani Every, said:
“It’s been incredible to watch cyclo-cross really flourish in Britain over recent years, with fans able to celebrate an unprecedented 13 podium finishes across the past six world championships. It also makes us incredibly proud that the likes of Tom, Zoe and Nathan have all honed their craft at our National Series, raising the level of racing and inspiring new and young riders to take up the sport.
“For next season I’m pleased that we’ve been able to add two new venues to the calendar, seeing the series now stretch from Falkirk to Torbay, and I’m sure that Dave Haygarth and the team in the North West will deliver another championships to remember. We know that cyclo-cross events are a great day out for all the family and I’m sure that we’ll see some fantastic support once again – regardless of the weather!”
Giles Drake had another stellar year with Wheelbase and had a good showing at Westmorland in 2021.
Dave Haygarth of the North West Cyclo-Cross Association is the national championships organiser, and said:
“We’re both excited and proud to be stepping up to the 2023 National Cyclo-cross Championships, after three years of hosting some thrilling rounds in the National Trophy series.
“The venue is perfect for any conditions and we can adapt to make the most challenging course for some thrilling racing. We can’t wait and are planning already.”
Not only does Dave Haygarth organise the Westmorland races, he pins a number on and shows everyone how it’s done too!
2023 National Cyclo-cross Championships:
Westmorland County Showground, Milnthorpe: 14 – 15 January
Written by JohnnyDodgin
Photos by James Vincent