The Great Britain Cycling Team are gearing up for what hopes to be another successful cyclo-cross season, with experienced pros and new talent looking to showcase their prowess internationally.
The first event to kick off the international season for GBCT’s up and coming riders will be the 2024 Coupe de France Cyclo-cross in Troyes, France on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November. This will give developing riders the chance to familiarise themselves with the international racing scene, before the world cup series kicks off the following week in Dublin. Riders selected include junior national champion Oscar Amey, who already has three Hope Supercross victories and three National Trophy wins under his belt. He will be joined by Arabella Blackburn, who also been making waves in the domestic junior ranks.
In upcoming world cups, they’re likely to be joined by seasoned riders Cam Mason, Zoe Backstedt, Cat Ferguson, Anna Kay, Thomas Mein, and Alfie Amey.
Fresh off her road racing antics with CANYON//SRAM, Backstedt will be back to play in the mud at the upcoming internationals. Having taken her first WorldTour stage win at the Simac Ladies Tour, Backstedt will be keen to replicate her golden 2023/24 season, where she was crowned the under-23 world champion.
With both riders signing for professional WorldTour teams for the next road season, and having secured world championship medals on the road, Cat Ferguson and Imogen Wolff will be hungry for strong results in their first year in the under-23 category. Wolff has already shown her fantastic cyclo-cross form with her storming solo effort in the second round of the Lloyds National Trophy Series.
Thomas Mein will be a regular feature on the world cup circuit this season, having already taken national series wins in the first two rounds, including his local round at Gypsies Green. Under-23 rider Alfie Amey will be sure to make his mark on the world cup scene, as will juniors Jamie Stewart, Milo Wills, national series leader Zoe Roche, Maddie Moorhouse-Smith and Ellie Mitchinson.
Matt Ellis, Cyclo-cross Co-ordinator for the Great Britain Cycling Team said:
“With the Great Britain Cycling Team now kicking off their cyclo-cross season, I’m excited to take our team internationally for a busy season of world cups, and it’s a great opportunity to test the riders ahead of world championships at the end of the season in February 2025.
“It’s fantastic to have such a mixed group to select from, with experienced riders such as Thomas Mein and Anna Kay alongside riders moving their way through the ranks and making their mark along the way, like Zoe Backstedt and Cat Ferguson.
“To be able to enter riders of such calibre, with well-seasoned pros and debutants experiencing their first elite season, shows the strength of talent coming through the pathways, as well as the impeccable coaching and support staff that work tirelessly to develop and support these riders to achieve their full potential.”
The Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the Coupe de France Cyclo-cross, Troyes:
Under 23 Male
Luke Gibson
Alfie Amey
Junior Male
Oscar Amey
Jamie Stewart
Milo Wills
Declan Odham
Under 23 Female
Alice Colling
Junior Female
Arabella Blackburn
Zoe Roche
Ellie Mitchinson
Anna Patterson
The Great Britain Cycling Team will be competing in the following events this season:
- Coupe de France Cyclo-cross, Troyes: 23-24 November
- UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Dublin: 1 December
- UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Hulst: 21 December
- UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Zonhoven: 22 December
- UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Besancon: 29 December
- UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Benidorm: 19 January
- UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Hoogerheide: 26 January
- UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, Lievin: 31 January – 2 February
You can find the full UCI event calendar here.
