Preview: Wheelbase Cyclocross, Haslingden, 28 Nov 2009

A brand new venue and a cracking, testing course will make for another great day’s racing on Saturday the 28th November in Victoria Park, Haslingden.  Following last year’s epic snowy warzone of Edgeside Park, a new venue has been uncovered by organiser Dave Haygarth.

Working again with Rossendale Borough Council, Dave and the Wheelbase team have found a venue with the right combination of parking and a decent testing circuit, and the new course, coming in at 1.2 miles, will make a great ‘arena’ cross, with 75% of the racing visible from the Finishing area, a tree-lined ashphalt ‘boulevard’ – or as near as Rossendale gets.

The parking for the event is a 250 metre ride from the park at Haslingden Sports Centre, and the now familiar sight of the Wheelbase.co.uk van and Gazebo will be the main signing on and spectator arena for the event in the park itself.

North’s best do battle.

Riders to have confirmed their intentions to ride so far include current National Trophy leader Paul Oldham (Hope Technology) [above right], but any hopes of an easy win will be blasted away by Wheelbase.co.uk / Cannondale’s Rob Jebb [above left], who will find the course and soft conditions much to his liking.  The £100 first prize in the senior race won’t be an easy hour’s work for anyone, on the course that features almost everything a ‘cross course can throw at you.

Two organised pre-rides will be taking place for anyone interested in checking out the new course. Dave Haygarth will be taking riders round the park’s twists and turns on Wednesdays 18th and 25th November at 12:30 pm – see the UK Cyclocross site for more details.

Venue

Full map here, parking is here (set your satnavs to BB4 4DN)