Abergavenny will host the opening round of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Series on Sunday, 14 October, attracting some of the world's premier cyclists to the town. 

It's the sixth successive year Wales has played host to the inaugural round of the series, a highlight of the premier cycle calendar that will showcase some 300 riders from elite athletes to young beginners.

A highlight of the event includes elite racing, which last year featured a raft of international athletes from Belgium, Holland and France alongside some of the most talented riders in Britain.

And with Britain's current National Cyclo-Cross Champion, Ian Field, among the top riders in this year's the line-up, the opening event promises plenty of excitement.

Riders will be keen to retain previous Trophy titles and hungry to make their mark ahead of the 2013 UK National Cyclo-Cross Championships, set to take place in Bradford in the New Year with Field keen to prevail as champion.

Cyclo-cross is a form of cycle racing that typically takes place in the autumn and winter months, and consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep slopes and obstacles often requiring the rider to quickly dismount and carry the bike to tackle obstructions.

The Trophy Series traditionally requires riders to demonstrate their technical prowess, a skill that will be duly tested along a fast and technical 2km route in Abergavenny, which makes full use of the sharp banks and slopes surrounding the nearby Leisure Centre.

Race organiser, Ian Jenkins of Abergavenny Road Club describes the event as one of the most exciting in the series, "It's a huge honour for Wales to host a national level competition in Olympic year and the feather in the cap of the Wales cyclo-cross calendar," he said.

"Cycling has seen a phenomenal boost in participation since the Olympics and this is another opportunity to see more of the best that cycling has to offer.

"Some of the most technically adept riders in the UK will be here with a point to prove."

The world's elite will not be the only riders taking part. A series of races will also take place for younger riders, with further races for female and veteran athletes all on show.

More information can be found online at http://www.welshcycling.co.uk">www.welshcycling.co.uk or via the British Cycling online events calendar.

With around 80 per cent of the course open for spectating and catering on site, it promises plenty of opportunity to catch the action.

Jenkins added, "A further highlight this year include a revised start and finish straight that will see more riders sprinting for the line.

"The last time we used this particular start and finish format, we had cyclists sprinting to take the win and the overall series by just one point, so expect to see some thrilling action."

 

Racing starts at 10.30am.