CX Down Under

by Aaron Upson & Dan Wilkins

By Soigneur

November 8^th, 2016

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the emergence of australian cross

Whilst still in its infancy, the current landscape of cyclocross in Australia suggests anything but. State and National Series, club racing, unsanctioned week night racing and the ever increasing sight of cyclocross bikes around coffee shops shows that this European love is swiftly taking control Down Under.

But, despite it’s fast uptake of late, it hasn’t been the cycling discipline of choice in Australia until recently. A rich history on the road and track, and in mountain biking, Australian cyclocross started small and remained that way for some time, with small bunches, usually frequented by experienced mountain bikers, the only form of education for newbies.

These experienced riders soon began to rope their road racing friends into the scene, and the usual bunches were seen heading for the trails. It was in 2010, that Dirty Deeds was formed in Melbourne. This formation signified a shift in the typical racing scene. An urban cyclocross series, based in Melbourne’s inner suburbs was a change for the best. Even road racing requires competitors to travel some distances to compete. In order to cater for the rapid increase in interest, two categories for formed, and are frequently still used today, allowing competitors who have specific cyclocross bikes to race in one category, and all other bikes (mountain, hybrid dirt etc.) to enter the other. This, to this day, is a brilliant strategy in increasing participation in the sport and allows new combers to ‘try before they buy’…. and they seem to always buy after they try.

The current CX scene in Australia remains, as a whole, small. The racing that is established, the national series plus additional club racers from organisers like Fields Of Joy in Melbourne, generates large numbers of entrants and spectators, however when these are not occurring additional racing is seldom hitting the requirements to help take it to the next level. But, with the added attention from fans, racing might take off in 2017. Fans bring eyes, and eye bring sponsors, an all too well known requirement for racing to really be sustainable. Whilst most clubs have sponsors, those funds are usually attributed to more established mediums, like criterium or road racing. CX specific sponsors seem to be having success at both a club and sponsor level. CX has attracted far more mountain-bike specific riders than road, but the latter is catching up… fast. MTBA run the national cyclocross series in Australia, not Cycling Australia as with most other disciplines. This has presented its own struggles, with resources seeming to affect the organisers, particularly with locations, permits and scheduling. However, the commitment of the national series until at least the end of 2018 is a sign that MTBA have the sport at it’s heart, and realise its potential. They might see additional success with more sponsors, clubs or event companies suggesting or even hosting events around the nation, of which the eastern seaboard is by far the most active. 2016 was a fantastic year, with over 11 category for competitors to race in and presenting two new National Champions in Rebecca Locke and Chris Jongewaard who took out the Womens and Mens Elite titles respectively.

Sponsors are however, starting to come out and support the Australian CX scene. Notably, old stalwarts like Rapha have set the standard, hosting early events like Rapha Cross in Sydney to raise the sports profile early on. Flanders, Focus, SRAM, Shimano and lately apparel brands Attaquer and MAAP have established teams, building the CX scene into their well engaged followership through digital platforms, primarily social media. Whilst not heavily backed monetary-wise (which presents its own problems), the access to good equipment and kit prove to be a handy kick start to those who are able to make those teams. But, as these team mature, and racing increases, the ever present money, or lack off, in cycling rears its head again. In 2017, teams will be forced to look for cash sponsors, allowing their athletes to travel around Australia, and if good enough, the world to complete. An this is the next logical step should cyclocross in Australia wish to be taken seriously.

2017 presents great excitement for CX racing in Australia. The move to a consistent and established National series looks promising, and the influx of experienced racers, a larger female racing presence and the establishment of kids racing grades all bodes well for the sport to continue it’s rapid rise. With a number of clubs committing to hosting races increasing, this enables a regular schedule for the community, and a chance to develop both the existing generation and it’s future with structured, competitive and accessible competition around the country. As always, these races can’t be run alone and require the dedication and commitment of racers, officials, spectators and sponsors alike.