News: Scottish cyclocross attracting top riders

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Several well-known cyclocross riders have been confirmed to take part at Dig in at the Dock in Scotland on the 19th February and the organisers are keen to attract more top talent from around the UK and beyond.

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News: Scottish cyclocross attracting top riders

Several well-known cyclocross riders have been confirmed to take part at Dig in at the Dock in Scotland on the 19th February and the organisers are keen to attract more top talent from around the UK and beyond.

US rider Jeremy Durrin (Neon Velo), multiple national and European champion Helen Wyman (Kona racing) as well as up and coming rider Amira Mellor (Next Wyman) have all confirmed their presence on the start line in Bo’ness this season. Co-organiser David Hamill is keen to make more announcements of this type in the coming weeks and months.

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Wyman is excited about her return to race in Scotland. “Everyone knows I’m a fan of Scottish CX and this will be a really fun way to finish my season. The crowds in Scotland are by far the biggest in the UK, so I’m hoping they’ll be making some noise as I take on the men. Of course I’m hoping for a mud fest for my last outing, and I’ll expect cow bells to be ringing.”

Durrin is also excited to taste Scottish Cyclocross for the first time. “When I was offered the opportunity to come up to Scotland to do some CX racing in February, I said I will most definitely be there. As an American CX racer, I get to travel all over the US which is great, but coming to Scotland and checking out the CX up there will be a lot of fun. I’ve heard great things about it and the weather is perfect for some good old fashioned CX throw downs! “

Organiser Dave Hamill explained why they are so keen to attract talent to the race. “We are trying to do a few things a bit differently with Dig in at the Dock. We’d like to make cyclocross feel a bit more like the races we watch on Sporza channel internet streams and such like. This means a race that is a spectator event first and a participation event second. A good spectator event becomes, by design, an amazing participation event. But it also needs to be proper cyclocross. We add fun elements to the day, but no gimmicks to the racing.

We’re trying to give young cross racers and spectators an experience of cyclocross they will hopefully want more of. Traditionally the best riders get consumed by the talent system in Scotland and channelled away from cyclocross. If they got to be Mathieu van der Poel for the day, they might see things a bit differently.

We’d also like to attract more top Scottish cyclists over to cyclocross. When you get a podium at a road race, the only people who get to see it are the other riders and some old guy walking his dog at the side of the road. At Bo’ness, you cross the line to a cacophony of cowbells and dozens of photographers. I know which I’d rather do.”

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The event is separated into an A and a B race based on ability so riders who would traditionally be separated by age/gender categories are pitched against one another in the same race.

Organisers Pete Ward and Dave Hamill are particularly keen for top juniors and females of all ages to make the journey to Scotland for the race. “Last year the youngsters really smashed things up, it was amazing to see. Harry Johnston took a surprise win which gave us a glimpse of the form he is now showing this season. But riders like Sean Flynn, Craig Gow, Struan Pryde and Cameron Mason really made the racing exciting. We’d like some more of that thanks very much!”

Last season’s winner Johnston (Leslie Bikes/Biker’s Boutique) was just 18 years old when he took the win last season. “Winning Dig in at the Dock was the highlight of my season. I don’t think I’ve experienced crowds like it in the UK before.”

“We feel a bit forgotten by British Cycling up here in Scotland to be honest” says Hamill “Despite having an excellent venue for a National Trophy race in Falkirk and attendance growing so quickly that it’s becoming an amazing problem to have, we can’t host a round up here because it’s apparently too far for people to travel. That’s a small-minded argument and we’re not letting lazy decision-making get in our way. OK a Trophy race up here would have been nice, but we don’t need it.”

Dig in at the Dock is the final race in the Super Quaich cyclocross series. In just its second season, the popularity of the series has exploded with entries for races selling out within minutes of opening. If you’re keen on travelling to race at Dig in at the Dock and want help and advice with logistics you’re advised to message the Facebook page and the organisers will aim to help out as much as they can.

For more information about cyclocross in Scotland visit www.scottishcx.org.uk.

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