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

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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 OGT USE.

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 OGT USE.

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 OGT USE.