In terms of unique cycling competitions, there are few more exciting than a cyclo-cross.
Comprised of a series of off-road races around obstacles and through tricky terrain, riders will brace dirt, grass, gravel and mud in what is almost always a sporting spectacle.
The event returns to Shepparton for the second year running, after a hugely successful debut in 2021.
Shepparton Cycling Club president Wendy Abbott said the club was thrilled to be running the event again this year.
“We had the inaugural one last year and it was such a success that it became part of the state calendar,” she said.
The event is now on round three and four of the Victorian State Cycling Series, with Abbott expecting it will attract a number of competitive riders keen to add points to their season tally.
“It’s been made part of the Aus Cycling state series, because it’s a series, riders who want to accrue points have to attend the event,” she said.
“There’s prizes at the end of the year for the season’s performance, so to get their points they need to attend every round and compete.
“We’re expecting 100 to 150 entries; round one and two were recently at Mt Beauty with just under 100 entries, so we’re hoping to achieve that and a bit more.”
Spectators will be treated to races from across all age groups, with riders to take to a three-kilometre course over and around the velodrome and BMX course, through grass and sand, over obstacles and then up and over the embankment on the outside of the course.
Abbott said having an event like a cyclo-cross provided entertainment for everyone, not just those with an interest in bike sports.
“It’s a blend of BMX and track, but it has all the elements of everything in it,” she said.
“There’s riding on flats and on hills, across different surfaces, riders go through mud and water, even the big kids like getting dirty, some are absolutely covered in mud when they finish.
“It’s just a lot of fun at the end of the day.”
The fully-catered event will get under way on Saturday, July 2 at 2.30pm, with races through until 9.30pm that night and resuming at 10am on Sunday.
If you’d like to take part, entries can be purchased through entryboss.cc/races/11498 while spectators can purchase tickets at the gate for $5.
