2025 Season Coaching @ Marl Pits

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The North West Cyclo-cross association invites members of the NWCCA League supported by Challenge Tires* to free fortnightly coaching sessions at Marl Pits Leisure Centre in Rossendale.

The sessions, led by Dave Haygarth and Adrian Watts will start on 3rd September and we will be working through the plan below, aiming to develop the skills and race-readiness of league members of all ages over the season.

We especially encourage our younger riders moving up to Youth and those wanting to compete on the national level, where the “extra mile” in terms of skills acquisition will help to bring the best resolts.

The sessions are floodlit, thanks to the ongoing support of Hope Technology, who helped us out with 12 floodlights.

Each session runs from 19:00 to 20:30, and anyone under the age of 16 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

* The sessions can be attented by non-league members at a charge of £5 per session

Details of the weekly plans below:

03 Sep
Session 1 – Foundations & Handling

(body positioning, cornering, descending)

  • Warm-up games, balance drills.
  • Core: body weighting, braking, cornering.
  • Application: mini-loop with corners/descents.
  • Race simulation: follow-the-leader cornering.

17 Sep
Session 2 – Starts & Carrying

(fast starts, bike carrying)

  • Warm-up chase game.
  • Core: grid starts, suitcase vs. shoulder carry.
  • Application: start → carry → remount loop.
  • Race simulation: start sprints into a short course.

01 Oct
Session 3 – Dismounts & Remounts (Barrier Intro)

(smooth dismount/remount basics)

  • Warm-up cornering recap.
  • Core: low-speed dismounts → remounts.
  • Application: barrier line + remount loop.
  • Race simulation: barrier relay race.

15 Oct
Session 4 – Linking Skills at Speed

(barriers + corners + descents combined)

  • Warm-up pursuit laps.
  • Core: descending into corners, barrier flow.
  • Application: mini-course (start → barrier → descent).
  • Race sim: 2–3 heats on loop.

29 Oct
Session 5 – Strategy & Efficiency

(line choice, overtaking, run vs. ride decisions.  Also maybe some spooky Halloween stuff?)

  • Warm-up pursuit.
  • Core: overtaking drills, tactical dismounts.
  • Application: scenario laps with choices.
  • Race simulation: “first lap chaos” mass start.

12 Nov
Session 6 – Full-Course Simulation

(integrating skills on course – we’d use the woods and all of the grass available – may take some creative taping and lighting – a three-ish minute lap maybe?)

  • Warm-up
  • Sight lap.  Talk through obstacles
  • Core: recap & refine weak spots (split groups).
  • Application: full-course laps.
  • Race simulation: 3–4 heats with handicaps.

26 Nov
Session 7 – Race Craft & Pacing

(energy management, advanced tactics)

  • Warm-up intervals (30s on/30s off).
  • Core: pacing drills (negative split laps, smooth vs. all-out).
  • Overtaking/defending position practice.
  • Application: 3–4 min repeated lap sessions with pacing goals.
  • Race sim: mini “time trial” (2 laps solo effort) → discuss pacing choices.

10 Dec
Session 8 – Final Race & Celebration

(apply everything, fun finale)

  • Warm-up group ride + skills recap.
  • Core: quick-fire skill stations (corners, barriers, starts).
  • Application: course sighting, short open lap.
  • Race sim: mock race event – full 15–20 min race (with ability-based staggered starts).
  • Cool-down & reflection: group debrief, highlight progress.