The Crosscast

In Episode 2 of Season 10, Xan, Matt and Neil are back on the mic to look back on a start to the season that will certainly be memorable. Xan gives us the low-down on a pair of wins in Sweden, that gives her a stonking start to 2026. Neil survived another 3 Peaks, despite the wind. They look back on the Peaks, with a whole host of women's records being beaten, and a super-close finish in the men's overall.
After an early Dendermonde they update the Crosscast Onform Leaderboard, with 10 new entries, but top spot now taken by Perryman, Holmgren and Brand. Matt has a little complaint about the XANANA rule (= Xan And Neil Are Not Allowed), after Xan's winning form - what do you think? Remember that you can join in by sending us your nominations too!
In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the Derby National Trophy, which is always a top race, with huge entry fields and great opportunities for spectators. The big question will be how many of the UK International riders will be able to fit it into their calendar with no UCI points on offer. They also remind that there is a rule update meaning that National Trophy Junior and Elite fields must comply with the full set of UCI regulations in terms of kit, even if the round is not a UCI race. 
It's also Koppenburgcross coming up from Oudenarde. Enjoy it people!

Support the show

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To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.

In Episode 1 of Season 10, Neil, Xan, and Matt get back together and have a lovely time catching up after a summer of action involving pretty much every cycling discipline known to man or computer.  Neil reports back on a summer of MTB and Gravel, Matt after UCI commentary duties at the World Champs MTB, and Xan out there crit racing and already having got a couple of CX races done.

They introduce the Crosscast Onform Leaderboard where riders will go up when they're on form.  In the bumper kick-off, Matt, Xan and Neil talk through a bunch of riders who have impressed over the summer and they are eager to see on the 'cross bike soon.  You can also have your say - the listeners' voice will come from nominations via www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast.  

In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to The 3 Peaks Cyclocross coming from Yorkshire in just a few days.  Neil will be racing again, and this time trying to chase down Finn and Lotta with whom he is making up a Parent-Daughter and Parent-Son combination.  Meanwhile Xan will soon be kicking off her international season, but first keep your eyes peeled for the official announcement of the new Xan-setup.

Listen in next time to find out how they do!

Support the show

--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.

In Episode 13 of Season 9, Neil, Xan, and Matt look back on the 2025-26 cyclocross season.  They talk through the World Cup, which they agree had zero duff rounds this year, but are disappointed that Terralba is missing from next year, just as it is finding its identity.  

They reflect on the rules on scoring for Superprestige, that meant points-tied Van Alphen took the series ahead of Fouquenet, despite having zero wins and fewer head-to-head victories and finishing behind in the last round.  

Whilst the X2O series is clear at the sharp end, there remains an odd rule where those getting 80%d (i.e. lapped) or DNF appear to have a better series outcome than those finishing at the back end of the lead lap.  Neil has homework... next season he promises to track it to look at strategies.

They also look back at the Rising Stars and those Struggling to Shine last year.

Of course they look forward to the 2026-27 season with the Glasgow World Cup, and note some interesting calendar details, such as a very early Dendermonde, and the current lack of a Hope Supercross series.

Finally, they gives a heads-up on some of the rule changes, including a dispensation for bar width in the UK (for some races, but not all), and the ultra important rule on race celebrations for youth riders.

Support the show

--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.

In Episode 12 of season 9, Neil, Matt and Xan report back from being on site at the 2026 Cyclocross World Championships from Hulst, both from working inside the media trucks and shouting from the other side of the side.  Bringing the fresh memories of all experiences of the World Champs, they discuss a full-on septet of superb races.  

Of course, they also unpack this year's podium picker competition in which they did a lot better than 2025!  

Support the show

--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.

In Episode 11 of Season 9 Neil, Xan and Matt give their predictions for the 2026 #cyclocross World Champs and you can too at https://tinyurl.com/hulstcx26 😊

They look back on the finale of the 25-26 World Cup with races from #maasmechelen and #hoogerheide , both of which Xan was racing.  She gives her views from being on the ground... well, on the bike... and - yay - didn't have any mechanicals!  

In a season where there were a lot of rounds compressed into just a few weeks, and the furthest distance between venues was about 1500km, they talk about what could be a wider spread to make it a true 'World' Cup.

The focus of the show is on the World Cup that will come from Hulst.  They make their predictions for each race - a great way to talk through who they think are the ones to watch!  For this year's World Champs Matt will be on the UCI mic, Neil will be on the tape courseside, and Xan will be on the sofa glued to the telly.

Support the show

--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.

In Episode 10 of Season 9, Neil, Xan and Matt look back on the National Championships from South Shields.  Xan looks back on her race and her second place finish, after doing the jersey proud for the past 12 months.  Neil also revisits the weekend where he was also racing and working with Grity.

They give their views on the planned changes to the National Trophy Series that will be introduced next year.  There is a lot to look forward to and things will be different.  Whilst they welcome a much-needed refresh the devil will be in the detail, and the reduced number of UCI rounds will be missed.

They also look back on the Benidorm World Cup, which Matt was commentating on the UCI World Feed, and in which Xan was racing.  The races turned out to be really entertaining and another opportunity to show how the venue would make a credible World Champs.

In the Laatste Ronde, they look forward to the next two World Cups - Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide.  Both races have given us fantastic action in the past and will be under the spotlight as Xan takes to the start, and Matt puts words to the action.

Support the show

--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.

In Episode 9 of Season 9 Neil, Xan and Matt look back on their highly committed many hours of cyclocross watching, racing, working and commentating with a look back on the second half of the Kerste Periode.  They send comiserations to those riders crashing out for the end of the season and hope for quick recoveries.  

They look back on the final round of the National Trophy that came from Irvine.  It was a magnificent event, that proved very popular amongst those who made the trip to Ayrshire.  Neil gives the details of his race and reports back on the overalls.  

In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to the National Championships that are due to come from South Shields in the UK.  They review the course, and the front runners for the elite men and elite women.  They also discuss the live coverage that will be provided on YouTube.

They also touch on other key National Champs including a mini preview of the Ireland course.

Support the show

--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.

In Episode 8 of Season 9 Neil, Xan and Matt extract themselves for 'cross duties to chat through the Kerste Periode with some stunning racing.  After giving birthday greetings to Xan and Neil, they look back on the A to Z of Antwerp to Zolder, the sand of Koksijde and Hofstade and the missing mud from Gavere.

With new stars starting to shine for mid season from Del Grosso and Fouquenet we have a new crop of riders ripening nicely.  Despite this we still have the literal case of Brand and Vanderpoel winning everything that they enter... can they keep it up?

Looking forwards there is a ton of racing to keep up with, from Dendermonde to Baal and the classic of Zonhoven just a few days away.  

They also give some preview and insight into the final round of the National Trophy 25-26 which is due to come from Irvine.

Support the show

--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.

In Episode 7 of Season 9 Neil, Xan and Matt jump into a mega few weeks of  cyclocross goodness. Neil reports back on Hunsworth National Trophy with its December mud, cracking course, and great atmosphere. They mention the parking nightmare that unfolded - oof. Neil also reports back on his local racing at a very old classic venue, and compares notes with Xan who was bringing in a top 6 at Kortrijk and getting a solid amount of TV-time for her stripy jersey and shiny new Van Rysel bikes.

They review Namur with what was some frankly goose bumpy racing that has to go down as one of the most impressive men's and women's races for some time. With the return of Neff being a treat, Pieterse a treat², and Van der Poel a treat³ we had skills, personality, battles, and power galore. Xan gives the insight into how it was on the ground, especially those bits where Nys and Van der Poel were... on the ground.

They give a bit of a PSA regarding bar width ready for rule changes and then preview the upcoming bunch of races coming from Antwerp, Koksijde, Gavere, Zolder. SO MUCH to look forward to.

Neil wonders... will the Koksijde results compare to 2015 when it was: (daddy) Nys, Van Aert, Van der Poel, Van der Haar, Sweeck, Meeusen, Aerts.

Support the show

--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.

It is Crosscast Episode 100.  Thanks to all of you who have been here since the start, and we've loved collecting listeners over the years.

In Episode 6 of Season 9, Neil, Xan, and Matt cast their minds back to a frozen Tabor which turned out to be a classic.  Great racing, incident-packed action and skills and power both on display.  Xan talks us through her race with her cracking start meaning that missed the early melee while the race settled down.  The men's race had so many great performances, marking ingredients that could give us a super season.

They also think back to Flamanville which was a total contrast to Tabor, and tricky in lots of different ways.  They talk through how both Nys and Mason have matured markedly for this year.

In the Laatste Ronde, they preview Round 5 of the National Trophy that will come from Tong / Bradford / Hunsworth (choose your title) as well as Cabras / Sardinia / Terralba (choose your title) World Cup with its microscopic start list, and Namur that will be awesome because it always is.

Neil bumbles through an attempt to explain why he really likes Kortrijk, and Xan nails it in one go!

Support the show

--
To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps!  

You can watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrosscastCyclocross

Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks!  Neil Mansfield @crosscastneil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt Payne @mattfixerpayne runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events. Xan Crees @xancrees races for Xan Crees Racing.