In 2000, female riders were able to take part in the cyclo-cross world championship for the first time.

There has been a men’s event since 1950, but took another half century for female riders to be allowed to take part.

Cyclo-cross involves races on grassland and sand, which includes steep gradients and often sees riders forced to jump off and run with their bikes across muddy sections of the course.

Matthew Kenyon has been talking to Dutch rider Daphny van den Brand about the sport, her campaign and that first ever global showpiece in the Dutch town of Sint Michielsgestel.

(Photo: Daphny van den Brand. Credit: Getty Images)