The opening day of the 2025 Lloyds British National Cyclo-cross Championships saw thrilling action across the age-group categories, with competitors battling it out on the challenging Cyclopark course.
Riders faced a mix of technical, muddy sections and fast, grassy stretches, testing their skills and endurance against the freezing conditions.
Open Veteran Categories
In the Open Veteran 50, legend of the sport Nick Craig (SCOTT Pioneer DJ) put on a commanding performance to take the title, ahead of Ian Taylor (Shibden Cycling Club) and Nicholas Whitley (Team Enable MI Racing).
Speaking after his victory, claiming another national title, Craig said: “It was pretty special [to win]. There’s always a lot people expect me to win, but you still have to win. In the vet categories, I’m 55 now, 56 in April, so it gradually gets harder as you get towards the midpoint. It felt quite a relief, actually, because there was a few issues and technically, I got a few bits wrong.
“I passed the pits with half a lap to go under the bridge, and then I had a flat in the front wheel, so I had to ride. I overshot a corner at one point and snapped a wooden stake—it literally stopped me.”
The 47 steps on the course are dedicated to the Ride for Charlie not-for-profit, which is part of Craig's son Charlie's legacy. The company supports young off road cyclists, who are or would have been inspired by Charlie to follow in his pedal strokes.
“The course was amazing,” Craig continued, “The organisation of the event has been amazing. Absolutely love it. Especially the Charlie steps. The steps arrived a few years ago, and to see the banners up there when we’re race, and it’s just definitely special.
“We’ve probably supported around 40 young ones this winter, seeing them all and their families stop by to say hello. The cyclocross community is so kind, so friendly, and so supportive. They’re our extended family.”
Elsewhere, the Open Veteran 40 category was a tightly contested affair, with Lewis Craven (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) emerging victorious. Paul Lloyd (Banjo Cycles/Raceware) and Adrian Lansley (Pedalon.co.uk) finished second and third, respectively.
The Open Veteran 60 race was won by John McGrath (Team TMC - Strada Wheels), with Mick Style (Element Cycling Team) and Glenn Coltman (Pedal Power Loughborough) rounding off the top three.
Female Veteran Categories
In the Female Veteran 40 category, Kate Eedy (Team Empella) claimed the national title with a strong and consistent performance, fending off Ceris Styler (ROTOR Race Team) and Jennifer Andrews (Cycle Club Ashwell).
The Female Veteran 50 race saw Alison Kinloch (Shibden Cycling Club) dominate the field, crossing the line ahead of Nicky Hughes (Southborough & District Whls) and Vickie Wilkinson (Cheltenham & County CC).
In the Female Veteran 60, Tracey Fletcher (Magspeed Racing) demonstrated her experience and strength, securing first place, with Sally Reid (Pedal Power Loughborough) and Carolyn Speirs (Grity Race Team) completing the podium.
Youth Categories
The youth categories showcased some impressive up-and-coming talent.
In the Open Under-16 race, Luke Trafford (Shibden Cycling Club) led the charge to victory, with Sam Genazzini (Solent Pirates) and Joseph Wooliscroft (Shibden Cycling Club) taking the silver and bronze spots.
Peggy Knox (ViCiOUS VELO) emerged as the winner in the Female Under-16, ahead of Olivia Poole (Deeside Thistle CC) and Rose Lewis (Halesowen A & CC).
The Female Under-14 race was won by Eva Gibson (4T+ Cyclopark), with Lauren Fox (Mid Devon CC) and Isla Jebb (Hope Tech Factory Racing) in second and third.
Finally, in the Open Under-14, Isaac Vickery (ROTOR Race Team) took the title, finishing ahead of Guy Rorke (Pentland Racers) and Josh Stewart (SteppingStanes Youth CC).
The elite and junior riders compete tomorrow, to be crowned the national champions on the final day at Cyclopark.
Podiums
Female Veteran 40
- Kate Eedy - Team Empella
- Ceris Styler - ROTOR Race Team
- Jennifer Andrews - Cycle Club Ashwell (CCA)
Female Veteran 50
- Alison Kinloch - Shibden Cycling Club
- Nicky Hughes - Southborough & District Whls
- Vickie Wilkinson - Cheltenham & County CC
Female Veteran 60
- Tracey Fletcher - Magspeed Racing
- Sally Reid - Pedal Power Loughborough
- Carolyn Speirs - Grity Race Team
Open Veteran 40
- Lewis Craven - Wheelbase CabTech Castelli
- Paul Lloyd - Banjo Cycles/Raceware
- Adrian Lansley - Pedalon.co.uk
Open Veteran 50
- Nick Craig - SCOTT Pioneer DJ
- Ian Taylor - Shibden Cycling Club
- Nicholas Whitley - Team Enable MI Racing
Open Veteran 60
- John McGrath - Team TMC - Strada Wheels
- Mick Style - Element Cycling Team
- Glenn Coltman - Pedal Power Loughborough
Open Under-16
- Luke Trafford - Shibden Cycling Club
- Sam Genazzini - Solent Pirates
- Joseph Wooliscroft - Shibden Cycling Club
Female Under-16
- Peggy Knox - ViCiOUS VELO
- Olivia Poole - Deeside Thistle CC
- Rose Lewis - Halesowen A & CC
Female Under-14
- Eva Gibson - 4T+ Cyclopark
- Lauren Fox - Mid Devon CC
- Isla Jebb - Hope Tech Factory Racing
Open Under-14
- Isaac Vickery - ROTOR Race Team
- Guy Rorke - Pentland Racers
- Josh Stewart - SteppingStanes Youth CC
