After a winter of powering through mud, sand, and snow, the stars of Britain’s cyclo-cross scene converge on South Shields for a hectic weekend of racing which will see a handful of lucky riders walk away adorned with the National Champion’s stripes.

But who will be leaving the North East with the blue, white, and red bands? We take a look at the North East course and pick out our riders to watch in the Junior Men & Women, and Elite Men & Women races.

The course

Perched above the beach and exposed to the often brutal North Sea wind, Gypsies Green has been a staple of the National Trophy Series for the last few years, with a technical course that makes the most of the banking of the old outdoor velodrome and the natural elevation of the grassland along the coast.

For this year, the route has been tweaked slightly – remaining is the finish within the velodrome, but changed is the start loop, which shifts from the grass alongside the New Crown pub to the asphalt of the promenade below the main course.

When the field gets onto the circuit proper, plenty of straights linking complex sequences of corners mean the course suits those with explosive power out of the turns, allied to the stamina to maintain that pace throughout the race.

It’s not all that easy, though, as the course features the customary sand trap above the sea-end of the velodrome to sap yet more energy from the legs. That’s in addition to a few extra features organisers South Shields Velo Club have added compared to its last appearance in the National Trophy, with stairs and ramps included to provide extra challenges.

While the course doesn’t normally become a complete mud bath, with decent drainage thanks to its by-the-sea location, this year could see the grass become more torn up than usual. The first weekend of the New Year saw South Shields transformed into a winter wonderland, with snow blanketing the region. Combine that with a forecast week of rain and sleet – including across the race weekend itself – and mud could become a bigger factor than usual.

Riders to watch

Junior Open (Sunday 09:45)

Domestically, this season has been a battle between Luke Trafford (Shibden Cycling Club) and Jacob Steed (Sherwood Pines Cycles Forme), with the former taking four Trophy wins to Steed’s one. Both have been putting in more than respectable performances over in Belgium, so expect the main competition to come from one of these two.

Hitting form at the right time is Joe Wooliscroft. The Shibden CC rider stormed to victory on the Irvine sand last weekend, the culmination of steadily improving performances in his first year in the Junior ranks.

You could say the same for Xander Graham (SCOTT Pioneer DJ). Runner-up in the overall National Trophy to Trafford, Graham has been quietly going about his riding and building up a decent head of steam, with numerous top fives – including a second – marking him out as a potential dark horse for a strong result.

Also falling into the dark-horse category is Sam Genazzini (Exact Power – Versa Energy). He took a podium in Derby and cracked the top 15 at both the Namur World Cup and the Exact Cross in Kortrijk – if the forecast rain does have an impact on conditions, he could just sweep in and cause trouble.

One rider who is the true definition of a dark horse is Tanner Beetge (Unattached). He’s done just one race in the UK this season – the National Trophy in Bradford – but has taken wins in the USA back in November. He was 10th at the 2025 Championships; could he do better this time out?

Junior Women (Sunday 10:45)

Looking at the results throughout the season to date, two names immediately jump out – Zoe Roche and Peggy Knox (ViCiOUS VELO). The pair have been taking wins all season, but with Roche electing to move up into the Elite category – more on that below – Knox will undoubtedly start the Junior Women’s race as favourite.

Having won the U16 title last year, Knox exploded into her first season in the Junior ranks with three wins at the Hope Supercross Series and numerous top fives in Belgium during the Kerstperiode, putting her in superb form heading to the North East.

Not that she’ll have it all her own way. Showing good form throughout the season have been riders including Iris Gray (Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films) and Freya Mowbray (Scotia Offroad Race Team) – winners at Bradford and Irvine respectively – who will be looking to keep the pressure on Knox throughout the race and capitalise on any mistakes or issues.

Don’t forget Katie Colling (sister of Smurfit Westrock’s Alice). The Brother UK – On Form rider was the model of consistency as she won the Junior Women’s title in the National Trophy Series – don’t count her out from at least being in podium contention.

Elite and U23 Women (Sunday 13:15)

The two headline entries come from the previous two National Champions – Anna Kay (Essec Cycling Team) and Xan Crees (OGT p/b USE). The pair both have different motivations for wanting to take a second title. For Crees, defending a hard-won jersey would cap off a solid year in which she has not only been a rider but also a team manager, having elected to go it alone this season.

Adding extra motivation for Kay is the fact that these are the most local Championships she’ll enjoy for a number of years – making a win even sweeter in front of a home North East crowd.

That said, there are plenty of riders who’ll want to stake their own claim to the top spot, namely Ffion Drake (Wold Top Pactimo). The flying doctor has hit the form of her life this season, with two podiums against riders such as Laura Verdonschot in the Hope series acting as the appetiser to four wins on the bounce in the National Trophy and the overall Series title. A crash in Flamanville, combined with illness over December, has meant she’s not quite 100%, but if she can rediscover earlier-season form she’ll be a favourite.

Also up for a fight is Alderney Baker (Team Empella). Whilst not able to match the wins she gained in 2024/25, Baker has taken podiums this season and consistently challenged at the sharp-end domestically and will have the motivation needed to clinch a strong result in Tyneside.

One to also watch for is Elena Day. Her Spectra Racing squad won the title last season with Crees and the team’s striking green, white and gold jerseys have been prominent in races in this country and in Europe. Combine that with Day’s own prowess and performance on the ‘Cross bike and she could challenge for the Elite title alongside the U23 crown.

Her teammate Anna Flynn is another of those who has a good claim on the title. Having defended her Scottish title earlier in the season, she powered away from the competition at a bitterly cold Irvine to take victory – could she add another National title this weekend?

Intriguingly, Zoe Roche (Santini Cycling) has elected to not defend her Junior title and instead make a step up into the Elite/U23 race instead. It’ll be interesting to see how she gets on against more experienced competition but with wins already in a pair of U19 races in Belgium, she’s got the confidence and form to do well.

Elite and U23 Open (Sunday 14:30)

Since the 2022 season, only two riders have won the Elite Men’s title – Cameron Mason (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Thomas Mein (Hope Factory Racing). Generally, the playbook follows a similar theme – the pair metaphorically knock seven bells out of each other and one of them hangs on to claim the title. For the last three years, that’s been Mason and with the Scot achieving podiums in the World Cups, Exact Cross, and X20 Trofee this season he’ll head into the Men’s race as favourite.

But Mein won’t be going down without a fight and will be wanting to avenge his DNF at Cyclopark 12 months ago. He’s already picked up wins against fierce Belgian competition in the Supercross series, and has been scoring top 30s in the World Cup – expect him to take it to Mason right from the off on what is his local course.

Elsewhere, Spectra riders aren’t just excelling in the Women’s category, with the team’s Barnes brothers – Toby and Dan – putting in strong performances in the National Trophy during what has been a relatively quieter campaign for both. Despite their slightly shorter programmes compared to Mason and Mein, the duo have finished in the top five in every race they’ve contested on home soil and will look to throw a cat amongst the pigeons this weekend.

A potential dark horse for a good result is Jenson Young. Victory in foul conditions at the North Championships in Pontefract back in November was followed by a dominant display in Irvine to kick off 2026 – a sign that the Ribble rider may be finding form at just the right time.

Oscar Amey (TEKKERZ CC) won the Junior title 12 months ago, and his step up into the U23 field has been encouraging – an eighth at the X20 Trofee in Loenhout and 13th at the World Cup in Flamanville marking a strong start at the new level. While he’ll be targeting the stripes – at least at U23 level – his bonus goal may well be to beat older brother Alfie, racing for Spectra.

How to follow

British Cycling will be streaming all four of Sunday’s races with the Junior Open kicking off the action, followed by the Junior Women. In the afternoon it’s reversed, with the Women kicking off before the Open race rounds out the day.

You can find the stream, behind a £2.99 paywall, on British Cycling’s YouTube channel here.

Updates throughout the day will also be on the governing body’s social media channels.

Provisional startlists

Junior Open (Sunday 09:45)

No.	Rider	Team
1	Luke Trafford	Shibden Cycling Club
2	Jacob Steed	Sherwood Pines Cycles Forme
3	Tanner Beetge	—
4	Xander Graham	SCOTT Pioneer DJ
5	Jody Mills	Inspire Racing Adaston Henrys Ark
6	Arthur Limb	Harrogate Nova Race Team
7	Sam Genazzini	Exact Power – Versa Energy
8	Oliver Swinburn	Prologue Racing Team
9	Noah White	Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club
10	Jack Morgan	IGNITE Race Team
11	Theo Sandell	VC Londres
12	Alarik Knox	Verulam Megan’s RT
13	Charlie Albone	Shibden Cycling Club
14	Joseph Wooliscroft	Shibden Cycling Club
15	Samuel Stacey	Verulam Megan’s RT
16	Tom Allen	IGNITE Race Team
17	Cameron Annable	Scotia Offroad Race Team
18	Isaac Allaway	Pedalon.co.uk
19	Thomas Nabb	Otley Cycle Club
20	Thomas Watkins	Bigfoot CC
21	James Cook	4T+ Cyclopark
22	Isaac Starmer	Colchester Rovers CC
23	Gabriel Rees	—
24	Matthew Sanderson	VC Azzurri
25	Will Hocking	North Cheshire Clarion
26	Joel Gillan	Scotia Offroad Race Team
27	Joseph Taylor	Derby Mercury RC
28	Ivo Thwaites	Southborough & District Whls
29	Oliver Larner	Team Pau
30	Edward Lindsay	Team Andrew Allan Architecture
31	Cailean Vorster	West Lothian Clarion CC
32	Zack Stobbs	Otley Cycle Club
33	Jed Claxton	Wheal Velocity
34	James Calvert	ROTOR Race Team
35	Theo McFadden	Inspire Racing Adaston Henrys Ark
36	Joe Reed	Inspire Racing Adaston Henrys Ark
37	Elliot English	Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy
38	Freddie Farr	Matlock CC
39	Milo Wills	Trinity Racing Cross
40	Oscar Shaw	The Grit Cartel

Junior Women (Sunday 10:45)

No.	Rider	Team
1	Peggy Knox	ViCiOUS VELO
2	Katie Colling	Brother UK – On Form
3	Iris Gray	Liv Cycling Club – Halo Films
4	Isla Pattinson	Exact Power – Versa Energy
5	Isabelle Dalgleish	Cog Set Papyrus Racing Club
6	Charlotte Lissaman	Pine Sport
7	Heidi Roscoe	Exact Power – Versa Energy
8	Georgia Mahoney	Magspeed Racing
9	Elsie Haygarth	Hope Factory Racing
10	Scarlett Ford	Stratford CC
11	Nicole Anderson	Hetton Hawks Cycling Club
12	Rachel Halden	IGNITE Race Team
13	Megan Cherry	Tofauti Everyone Active Majaco
14	Isabelle Land	Calder Clarion CC
15	Freya Mowbray	Scotia Offroad Race Team

Elite and U23 Women (Sunday 13:15)

No.	Rider	Team	Category
1	Xan Crees	OGT p/b USE	Elite
2	Zoe Roche	Santini Cycling	U23
3	Ffion Drake	Wold Top Pactimo	Elite
4	Anna Kay	Essec Cycling Team	Elite
5	Elena Day	Spectra Racing	U23
6	Alderney Baker	Team Empella	Elite
7	Kacey Eyeington	SCOTT Pioneer DJ	U23
8	Ellie Mitchinson	Exact Power – Versa Energy	U23
9	Grace Inglis	Team HUP	Elite
10	Alice Colling	Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team	U23
11	Anna Flynn	Spectra Racing	Elite
12	Anna Patterson	Brother UK – On Form	U23
13	Amy Perryman	—	Elite
14	Kate Eedy	Team Empella	Elite
15	Madeline Cooper	Spectra Racing	U23
16	Ishbel Strathdee	Team HUP	Elite
17	Rebecca Woodvine	Fossa Racing	U23
18	Sophie Thackray	Paceline Cycles North	Elite
19	Libby Bell	—	U23
20	Victoria Peel	Hope Factory Racing	Elite
21	Esme Wiley	London Academy	U23
22	Amy Mourne O’Shea	O’Shea – Development Team	U23
23	Ingrid Gascoigne	Team Empella	U23
24	Cassandra Mackintosh	Shibden Cycling Club	Elite
25	Katie Hadnum	Reifen Racing	U23
26	Daisy Taylor	Royal Albert CC	U23
27	Tia Taylor	Shibden Cycling Club	U23
28	Phoebe Skinner	Reifen Racing	U23
29	Florence Lissaman	University of Nottingham CC	U23
30	Ruby James	Hope Factory Racing	Elite
31	Shona Mosley	—	U23
32	Amelia Cleathero	SCAD Savannah Cycling Team	U23

Elite and U23 Open (Sunday 14:30)

No.	Rider	Team	Category
1	Cameron Mason	Alpecin–Deceuninck	Elite
2	Thomas Mein	Hope Factory Racing	Elite
3	Daniel Barnes	Spectra Racing	Elite
4	Toby Barnes	Spectra Racing	Elite
5	Oscar Amey	TEKKERZ CC	U23
6	Ben Askey	CC Étupes	U23
7	Luke Gibson	4T+ Cyclopark	U23
8	Declan Oldham	Hope Factory Racing	U23
9	Jenson Young	Ribble – Verge Sport	Elite
10	Joseph Beckingsale	Spectra Racing	Elite
11	James Swadling	Pedal Power Loughborough	Elite
12	Spencer Corder	ROTOR Race Team	U23
13	Alfie Amey	Spectra Racing	U23
14	Joel Hurt	Moonglu SpatzWear	U23
15	Sam Chisholm	Team HUP	U23
16	Scott Fisher	Hope Factory Racing	U23
17	Samuel Nisbet	Reflex Nopinz	U23
18	Giles Drake	Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli	Elite
19	Corran Carrick-Anderson	Peebles CC	Elite
20	Kieran Jarvis	Optimum Coaching	Elite
21	Steven James	Hope Factory Racing	Elite
22	Oliver Barker	Alterra XCOMTB.COM	U23
23	Joshua Jones	ALL IN Racing	Elite
24	George Thompson	Rose Race Team	Elite
25	Sullivan Berry	ROTOR Race Team	U23
26	Rowan Baxter	Shibden Cycling Club	U23
27	William Weatherill	Hope Factory Racing	Elite
28	Dan Clark	Magspeed Racing	Elite
29	Jack Parnaby	Shibden Cycling Club	U23
30	Ben Scott	Racing Metro 15	U23
31	Mark Cotton	Velo Club Lincoln	Elite
32	James Elves	Reifen Racing	U23
33	Thomas Crapper	Magspeed Racing	Elite
34	James Wright	Newhall.cc	Elite
35	Grant Scott	Ronde Cycling Club	Elite
36	Ryan Parkinson	Muckle Cycle Club	Elite
37	Joe Coukham	—	Elite
38	Roddy Weir	Muckle Cycle Club	Elite
39	Max Avery	Ornata Factory Racing	U23
40	Sam Kettlewell	TAAP Kalas	Elite
41	George Cranston	Barnesbury CC	U23
42	Murray Gray	ROTOR Race Team	U23
43	Scott Chalmers	Magspeed Racing	Elite
44	Liam Walshaw	Protech Velo	Elite
45	Emil Petrov	Border City Wheelers CC	Elite
46	Ollie Maynard	St Ives CC	Elite
47	Christopher Hilbert	Sherwood Pines Cycles Forme	U23
48	Nicholas Craig	SCOTT Pioneer DJ	Elite
49	Samuel Brownsword	Solihull CC	U23
50	Kyran Levey	IGNITE Race Team	U23
51	Robin Godden	Hope Factory Racing	Elite
52	Henry O’Brien	Scotia Offroad Race Team	U23
53	Anthoney Craig	Whitby Wheelers CC	Elite
54	Samuel Ridgment	Sotonia CC	U23
55	Oscar Baxter	—	U23
56	William Lezard	Magspeed Racing	Elite
57	Mathew Mandipira	Peterborough Cycle Hub	Elite