Some of the country’s top mountain bikers will be hopping on their bikes and hitting the trails at the South Surrey Bike Park this weekend, as Canadian Cyclo-cross Championships are set to return for a second straight year.
On Saturday morning – the first race begins at 10:30 a.m. – the national championships will be staged, and among those expected to compete are six-time national champion and World Cup competitor Wendy Simms, and Olympian mountain-bikers Catharine Pendrel and Geoff Kabush.
The following day, riders from throughout the province and the Lower Mainland will compete in BC Grand Prix of Cyclo-cross races, also beginning at 10:30 a.m.
In both races, national titles, cash prizes and UCI racing points will be at stake for riders in all race categories.
Cyclo-cross racing combines the off-road aspects of mountain biking with road cycling, and tracks also include obstacles throughout the course.
Originating from Europe, the sport has gained popularity in North America in recent years.
Cyclo-cross events have been held in South Surrey numerous times as far back as the early-2000s, when Surrey’s Bayside Cycling Club held events at Crescent Park.
There are now more than 10 sanctioned cyclo-cross races in the Lower Mainland, with many races drawing more than 200 riders.
For more info, visit www.cyclingcanada.ca and follow the links to the cyclo-cross page.