Cyclo-cross is a sport where skill meets chaos. Watch a race, and you’ll see riders gliding over mud, sand, and steep banks - making the impossible look almost effortless. But behind that finesse is years of training, countless mistakes, and the hard-earned wisdom that comes from pushing the limits.
To help you sharpen your skills, we’ve gathered top tips from some of Britain’s best cyclo-cross riders. They’ll share their insights on how to stay fast, smooth, and in control - plus a few funny fails that prove even the pros take a tumble occasionally. Because in cyclo-cross, getting it wrong is just part of getting better.
Tips
Zoe Backstedt
A dominant force in cyclo-cross, road, and track cycling, Zoe has established herself as one of Britain’s most promising young riders.
It is key to practice your starts, including your pedal position. This is often forgotten as a small part of the process, but it is important to ensure a perfect start.
Thinking about what layering/kit will work for you during the race is essential. On the start line, you’ll be static and think you’ll get really cold, but your body temperature will increase as soon as you get going. The first five minutes of every race make me so warm, so I prefer to underdress for standing on the start line to avoid getting far too hot and overheating during the race, which would then affect my performance.
Cameron Mason
A powerhouse in British cyclo-cross, Mason has cemented his status as a dominant force in the discipline.
A good skills session I do on my days off is to find a grassy banking or muddy area, then get two or three cones (bottle, sticks, or jersey will do) and make a corner. I ride it loads of times, and as it gets muddier and more challenging, I move the cones to make the corner tighter or wider. The more you fall off, the more you learn. This works even better with mates!
The course might seem intimidating if it is your first time racing a cyclocross event. To help, ride around the course a few times before your race and pay attention to the bits you might need to dismount or select a lower gear so that you are more prepared when the race comes.
Imogen Wolff
One of Britain’s most exciting young cyclists, Imogen has proven herself across multiple disciplines, from cyclo-cross to road and track racing
Experiment with different tyre pressures and treads (if you have them). Even if you end up sticking to your standard setup, it’s helpful to experience all the different sensations!
Elsie Hughes
A talented multi-discipline racer, Elsie competes at the national level in road, track, cyclo-cross, and mountain biking, racing in able-bodied events.
Probably the biggest tip I can give myself is don’t forget my arm!
Having a strong mentality while racing and training is crucial. Whether you have had a mechanical problem and lost places or you lost your head because of a slip-out, I find it easier to focus on what I’m doing, not what people in my surroundings are doing. At the end of the day, I’m racing my race, and they're racing theirs.
A few tips I do like to think about are avoiding dog poo, closing your mouth when going through mud, and keeping your eyes open.
Matt Ellis
A former professional cyclo-cross racer and seasoned coach, Matt is the cyclo-cross coordinator for the Great Britain Cycling Team.
Plan your day as much as possible, whatever your level: course pre-ride, warm-up, and race timings. Then what and when will you eat and then finally be prepared with your kit, expect hostile conditions and have your bag packed so you can go straight to what you need.
Cyclo-cross racing is a developing ground for any rider, partly due to the terrain and conditions we ride in. Riders must also organise themselves and share plans with their helpers.
Fails
Zoe Backstedt
Honestly, I’ve had quite a few! It’s cyclo-cross, so you’re bound to make mistakes, as anything can happen! One that comes to mind would be in Zonhoven a few years ago when I was riding down the sandy descent on the first lap. I remember it like it was yesterday. I took a line on the right-hand side with bumps at the bottom. I bounced over them and ended up face-first on the floor. Lesson learned to pick a better line for the next lap!
Matt Ellis
Don't be scared to fail. Don't be afraid to try a small thing like a line choice or a big thing like a brave potential race-winning move. By failing, you will learn some of the best lessons; the important thing is to learn from them and not repeat them.
Cyclo-cross is all about skill, strategy, and embracing the unexpected. Whether you’re fine-tuning your technique or learning to laugh off the occasional wipeout, every race is a chance to improve. Take these pro tips, get out there, and keep pushing your limits!
If you want to find out more about cyclo-cross, click here, and if you want to up your training, check out British Cycling training plans.
Contributors
Zoe Bäckstedt - A dominant force in cyclo-cross, road, and track cycling, Zoe has established herself as one of Britain’s most promising young riders. She stormed to victory at the 2024 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, claiming the under-23 world title with a commanding solo win in Tábor, Czech Republic. This adds to her growing list of accolades, including the 2022 Junior Cyclo-cross World Championship title and multiple European victories and junior world titles across other disciplines.
Cameron Mason - A powerhouse in British cyclo-cross, Mason has cemented his status as a dominant force in the discipline. In 2025, he claimed his third consecutive elite men's title at the British National Cyclo-cross Championships, winning by over three minutes in a commanding solo performance. A versatile rider, he competes in gravel, road, and mountain biking. Mason has also shone on the international stage, securing silver at the 2023 European Cyclo-cross Championships and a team relay silver at the 2024 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships.
Imogen Wolff - One of Britain’s most exciting young cyclists, Imogen has proven herself across multiple disciplines, from cyclo-cross to road and track racing. In 2024, she claimed two gold medals at the UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships and secured bronze in the junior time trial at the UCI Road World Championships. She also excels in cyclo-cross, earning podiums in international races, competing in the UCI World Cup series, and finishing third in the elite women’s race at this year’s British National Cyclo-cross Championships.
Elsie Hughes - A talented multi-discipline racer, Elsie competes at the national level in road, track, cyclo-cross, and mountain biking, racing in able-bodied events across all disciplines. Born without part of her left arm, she refuses to let anything hold her back.
Thanks to Hope Technology and Shibden Cycling Club, she has developed a quick-release attachment for her arm, allowing her to switch bikes easily. These game-changing adaptations have helped her compete on equal footing with able-bodied riders. Now 14 years old, Elsie is set to make her para racing debut at the 2025 Lloyds National Track Championships in February.
Matt Ellis - A former professional cyclo-cross racer and seasoned coach, Matt is the cyclo-cross coordinator for the Great Britain Cycling Team. After representing Great Britain five times at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships and competing at the highest level - including racing full-time in Belgium - Ellis transitioned into coaching and talent development.
