After a year away, the SupaCross returned to South Park for the 2021/22 season.

All good things come to those who wait and this was most certainly the case with the Macclesfield Wheelers SupaCross. A firm favourite of the North West Cyclocross Association calendar, the SupaCross has attracted some big names from the world of cycling across the years: Ian Field (a 5-time British cyclocross champion), Roger Hammond (a former pro and current member of Ineos Grenadier’s management staff) and Nick Craig (an ever present force in the world of cyclocross), to name just a few. Having been part of the cyclocross calendar for almost 40 years, the SupaCross was sadly not held in the 2020/21 season due to the Coronavirus pandemic; we were therefore delighted to bring everybody back to our traditional South Park venue for 2021/22.

“The SupaCross has attracted some big names over the years, including Ian Field, Roger Hammond and Nick Craig”

In unusually clement conditions - a mild 10 degrees Celsius and comparatively dry weather - we started proceedings with the U16/U14, U8 and U12/U10 races. It is always fantastic to see such large start lists across many different ability and experience levels. From those who have been riding and racing for years to those racing round with stabilisers and a basket, this is what cycling is about - getting involved and having fun. There really is the full spectrum of riders in these races and we could not be more pleased to see everyone exercising and having fun in the great outdoors.

Ruth rode to a brilliant 15th place in the Women’s race

By the time the V50s, Women and V60s started, the course was starting to get slippery and the mud was building up. Whilst it wasn’t the usual quagmire we all know and love, it does present its own challenges. The course was quicker and the chance of sliding out on a corner or off camber was arguably greater given that it was more rideable than in previous years. That didn’t stop our very own Ruth Gamwell - who, it is important to note, had been the main organiser of this fantastic event - riding to a superb 15th place in a competitive field. Whilst some of our other Wheelers unfortunately had to pull out due to positive COVID tests, this was a great start to the day.

Dave running with his bike — Dave was riding his debut cyclocross race until a broken shifter forced him to retire

Fast forward forty minutes and it was time for the V40s. By now, the course had been ridden over by around 300 people and, thanks to some light rain, the course was cutting up more and was certainly becoming very greasy. Dave Aspinall, having made an assault on the inaugural gravel hill climb in Macclesfield Forest, took to the start line in his debut cyclocross race. He was riding strongly, picking off riders as the race went on, until the course took yet another victim. Coming down off the top of the course, there was a sweeping right hand corner after a descent; following this, the grip at the entrance to the pits had been largely eroded and, combined with the speed taken off the descent, was proving difficult. Dave came down and, whilst he was up and ready to go almost immediately, the bike was not. A totally broken shifter saw the end of what had been a great race up to then.

And then came the Seniors, U23 and Junior race. With a stellar start list, as is customary for the SupaCross, we saw some big names and teams from the world of cycling: Lewis Craven, resplendent in his World V40 Champion’s helmet; Nathan Smith, a highly impressive second year junior who has podiumed in multiple World Cup events in Belgium and the Netherlands, along with two other fantastic riders (Jenson Young and Oli Akers) from the Garden Shed UK-Ribble-Verge Sport team; and a rider from the Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus team. Yet beyond the big names and the long, sponsor filled team names, we had Matt Lawton, the club’s top cyclocross racer.

“It was an hour long slog - the carrot being the distant view of another rider in front of them; the stick being the rider behind them.”

After a fast and furious start, the race eventually settled down. Unlike in the V40s, there were no large groups battling it out. Instead, it was an hour-long slog. Braces of riders duelled it out at times but, in many cases, it was just single riders tackling the course as quickly as they could - the carrot being the distant view of another rider in front of them; the stick being the rider behind them. Smith, Young and Akers rounded out the podium but Matt came in for a very impressive 11th place - a superb ride to start off the year in style.

Matt going round a muddy, off-camber corner — Matt, on his way to 11th place

And once the last riders crossed the finish line, our team of volunteers got to work: signing riders out, taking down the course and helping pack things away. The SupaCross is always a fantastic event but it would not happen if it wasn’t for all of the people organising it and ensuring its smooth running during the day. To all of the organisers, officials, marshals, sign-on/sign-out staff, course builders, course take-down volunteers, spectators and supporters, the Macclesfield Wheelers and everybody racing say a huge, heartfelt “thank you”.