Becky’s cross season
My 2024/25 cyclocross season has definitely been slightly different to previous years but one I’m still proud of.
It kicked off at the Hope UCI Supercross series. Back to back weekend races, which was a huge shock to the system but great training for the upcoming Nationals that started in October. UCI races always attract the top riders but also bring the highest hitters from overseas, so they are always super tough but also means it’s kind of less pressure in a way!
I managed to finish top 15 in those races which I was super happy with.
October soon came around and it was national trophy round 1 in Derby. After a good block of racing a training, I went into this race pretty confident. Derby is one of my favs and it didn’t disappoint this year. I finished 9th in a stacked field so I was absolutely buzzing!!
Round 2 was on the beach in the North East, a stunning location for a cross race! It’s always a fun technical course. A week before this race I sliced my finger open at work (not ideal), which then got infected so I had a course of antibiotics. My body wasn’t feeling quite 100% but I gave it my all and finished 17th, a tough day out but still so much fun.
Round 3 was down in Torquay, I decided to skip this race with it being so far away and after a busy few weeks at work, I was pretty shattered, so a weekend of training was the plan instead, getting ready for one of my goals of the season, North of England Champs.
Having not raced for a few weekends, I was a little apprehensive going into North of Englands, I wasn’t quite sure where my race fitness was, even though training was going well. It was race day, a super early start in the north east. The weather forecast wasn’t great leading up to the race so I was hoping for some mud! Finally, a muddy race, it was a tough battle on a tough course but I managed to finish 2nd behind a super strong Ffion. I was super happy with that result and it gave me some confidence going into the next national trophy the weekend after.
A long drive down south to Clanfield for round 4 of the trophy series. Another weekend of weather warnings, the wind was crazy! Saturday evening I went out for tea, getting ready to race the next day. Sadly I received an email saying that Sundays racing was cancelled, so a long drive home, feeling slightly deflated on Sunday instead.
It felt like this season was flying by with only 3 races left of the season!! A little Christmas break and then straight back to it, racing the legendary Macclesfield Supercross. I raced all of the Christmas indulgence out of me and finished 2nd, another stacked women’s field, I love it!!
The weekend after Macc was the penultimate round of the national series in Bradford. Snow was forecast all week, however it’s England and we never get snow! The forecast, for once, was actually right and another national had to be cancelled. Such a shame as it was a new venue which looked mega! But hey ho, national champs was only a week away.
Cyclopark is my favourite course to race on, it has so much variety so I was super happy the champs was being held there. Thankfully no major weather warnings for this race, just very cold and icy!
I had the best day racing, I’ve never smiled so much in a race before, despite being in a world of pain! The support out on course was incredible, every corner, I could hear my name being shouted, it’s helps soooo much. I raced my heart out and finished 12th, my best champs position in a very long time. I ended my very strange season on a high. I’d say there were many more highs than lows this season, with the lows only being the fact that two rounds were cancelled. I also managed a whole season without getting poorly, which is unheard of for me! 🤣
I really can’t believe how fast it’s gone but I’m already excited for next season! Now it’s time for a bit of a rest, a skiing holiday and then hopefully a summer filled with more adventures and maybe the odd race in between 😉
Words: Becky Preece