The Rapha Supercross, Sydney

Flow attended our first ever cyclocross event today. Not as racers, but a spectators, keen to get a feel for what this malarkey is all about.

CX has been booming in Victoria for the past couple of years, and in the last 12 months or so has taken off in Flow’s hometown of Sydney too, which is where the latest Rapha Supercross event took place.

We’ve got to say, it was an absolute hoot. As an event, the Supercross blew most mountain bike races out of the water for atmosphere; having the event so close to the centre of the city obviously really helps, but it wasn’t just proximity that made it a good day. A simple, but challenging course that had riders visible then entire time (1.1km long), a well-stocked bar, a costume race and a foam cannon all played a part in creating the very fun vibe.

There was an elite race too, of course, with mountain bike legends Andy Blair and Nick Both both having a crack. Blair came awfully close, but Shawn Lewis (no, not Andy’s regular team mate, but another Shawn Lewis… confusing!) turned it up a notch in the last two laps and Blair ended up second. National CX Champ Allan Iacuone was there too, but a crash on one of the many off-camber grass corners ruled him out.

Anyhow, enough blabbing. The shots tell the story!

Nick Bonich from the Spokes People, who pulled this whole event together.

Second corner, first lap of the elite race. — Third corner, first lap of the elite race.

Blair put in a huge effort for second place, especially considering the Highland Fling was only a week ago.

Rapha Supercross-5

The clouds menaced all day, with the rain only arriving right at the end of the costume race.

Blair held Lewis at bay for much of the race.

Blair gets some sweet air. Not even all the elites were hopping the barriers.

The pink and black Rapha tape marked out the 1.1km course.

Blait and Lewis again. — Blair and Lewis again.

With the race held only ten minutes' ride from the centre of Sydney, a good turnout was guaranteed. — With the race held only ten minutes’ ride from the centre of Sydney, a good turnout was guaranteed.

Chris Herron from Atelier du Velo led the open men's race early, but rolled a tyre on this corner two laps later. — Chris Herron from Atelier du Velo led the open men’s race early, but rolled a tyre on this corner two laps later.

The eventual winner of the open men's race (sorry, we didn't get a name!) drops it on the most problematic corner of them all. — The eventual winner of the open men’s race (sorry, we didn’t get a name!) drops it on the most problematic corner of them all.