This Weekend: Rapha Super Cross series is back!

The Rapha Super Cyclo-Cross series is back, kicking off this Saturday (October 20th) in the picturesque surroundings of Broughton Hall, North Yorkshire.

Event Press Release | Photos: Wig Worland

Defending team champions Hope Technology, based in nearby Barnoldswick, are the local boys chasing a share of the £6,500 prize money and are once again led by former national champion Paul Oldham. Hargroves-Specialized, third in 2011, field a stronger line-up this time out with another former national champion at the helm, Jody Crawforth.

Endura Racing will be snapping at their heels, though, with Ian Wilkinson, Rob Partridge, Johnny McEvoy and Ian Bibby (yet another former champ) plus a guest rider, Jake Womersley.

Other top names to look out for include reigning junior champion Hugo Robinson, riding for Rapha/GB Development, who has started this season very strongly, and the dark horses, ROTWILD-Forme Coaching, with former Cervélo pro Dan Fleeman as captain.

With teams from Charge, Dirtwheels and Cycle Premier-Kovert also on the grid on Saturday, the Elite race promises to be the best field seen in the UK this season. A record 370 riders have entered, with racing from 10:45 with the under-10s, through to the Fun race at 15:30, featuring a tequila shortcut and ‘wall of foam’ (no, we’re not sure what the ‘wall of foam’ is either).

Top-notch catering will include posh pizza, crepes and the Leeds Brewery beer tent, while race support comes from Purple Harry, dedicated to keeping you rolling in the mud. Rapha bring the Mobile Cycle Club to the party, with Rouleur magazine handing out hundreds of pesky little cowbells.

Finally, watch out for the wandering oompah band. Grown men in lederhosen playing oversized instruments… Entries for all races, barring under-10s and under-12s on the day, are now closed. To enter the remaining two rounds and for further details, see http://www.rapha.cc/super-cross