THIS weekend will see a return of National cycle sport to the town with Abergavenny Road Clubs' promotion of the National Cyclo Cross Championships! The town last hosted the Nationals back in 2005 where athletes endured torrential conditions, but with the Leisure Centre providing a great arena for riders and spectators alike. The 2015 edition will use a very similar course to that of 2005, which produced some thrilling and spectator-friendly action.

For the uninitiated Cyclo Cross is a popular discipline of cycle sport, where competitors mix tarmac sections with the variation of racing off road through trees and challenges, often necessitating a swift dismount where it is quicker to run with bike! Mud is the ultimate characteristic of a typical cyclo-cross race with entertainment provided by bike changes where mechanics jet wash spare bikes mid-event.

The Championships cater for all age categories, with the Youths (Under 16), Juniors (Under 18) and Veteran categories all competing for the honour of their National title on Saturday, January 10. The Under 23's, Elite Women and Men's categories will challenge for honours on Sunday, January 11.

The Elite men's event will witness a re-match between defending champion Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles) and Paul Oldham (Hope Technology) who has won a record four National series events in Abergavenny. Last year's title race looked to be a two way contest between these two before an encounter with a course marker saw Oldham running for the pits, ultimately recovering for second behind the continental based Field. Further challenges for the podium will include former title holders Jody Crawforth (Hargroves Cycles), Olympic Mountain Biker Liam Killen and 2005 winner Nick Craig (Scott Racing).The perennial Craig will also look to defend his Veterans title.

The Women's Championship will see a local challenge to the supremacy of seven times Champion Helen Wyman (Kona Racing), as Ffion James hopes to recapture the form which saw her dominate the 2014 Junior event. The treacherous Derby conditions saw another continental based rider claim that title, where Nikki Harris (Young Telenet Fidea) won from Wyman, with James claiming third on the podium, adding the bronze medal to her Junior title.?Further challenge in the Women's event look to come from another Olympian Annie Last, whilst Juniors Evie Richards (Malvern Cycle Sport) and Amira Mellor will push James' defence of the Junior crown.

Racing begins at 9:30am on Saturday, January 10 and culminates with the elite men's race at 2:15pm on Sunday, January 11.