On Sunday December 1st, the 2024 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup comes to the Sport Ireland Campus. Our explainer tells you all about the sport and the event – and how you can experience it live.

What is cyclo-cross?

Cyclo-cross (also known as CX) is a type of off-road cycling that takes place over a 3km course. The terrain can include grass, mud, sand, gravel, and tarmac – but it’s always testing.

Along with cycling on tricky terrain, cyclo-cross riders must occasionally dismount to tackle artificial obstacles set up around the course. Riders can also swap bikes every half lap, with a Formula 1-style pit crew standing by to clean and repair their equipment. This seamless coordination keeps the race fast paced and adds an exciting strategic element to the sport.

Do you need a special bike?

A cyclo-cross bike takes different features from road bikes and mountain bikes; it will typically have a lightweight aerodynamic frame specifically made to allow for tyres with a higher air volume than road bike tyres, and a tread with more grip to cope with the tough terrain. The frame of a cyclo-cross bike also has a higher bracket so cyclists can clear obstacles easier.

Where did the sport come from?

It was originally created as a way for road cyclists to keep fit during the winter. The original draw was that it helped to prepare riders for the spring and summer road cycling season. An early Tour de France winner even credited cyclo-cross with helping him to win that event. The sport later became popular in New England and California during the 1970s. The heartland of cyclo-cross is in Flanders, Belgium, but it’s growing in popularity across the world.

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