British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
Cameron Mason, current British national cyclo-cross champion, is predicting a tactical, and fast battle in the race to become elite cyclo-cross World Champion in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands this weekend.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly, Mason explained that he's hoping for light rain on Sunday morning to enable him to then work the course in his favour as he guns for a high finish.
“I hope the course is somewhere in the middle ground and not too muddy on Sunday," he said. "If that’s the way it is, I can then use my technical skills, but when you get full, deep and heavy mud it doesn’t suit me at all.”
“Guys like Wout [van Aert] love that deep, heavy mud and are really good at it, but it doesn’t help me whatsoever. I just need the speeds to be quite high and kind of slick so it suits me, hopefully there’s just enough rain on Sunday to help me out.”
Without the presence of current reigning men’s world champion Tom Pidcock, the Scottish rider is arguably Britain’s best hope for a high placing in the elite men’s race. Mason explained that his current excellent form, combined with perfect preparation has set him up nicely in order to fly the flag for Britain on Sunday.
“I’ve had great preparation for this,” Mason said. “It’s probably the smoothest run-in that I’ve had to a World Championships. I had a good training camp in Spain after winning the national championships, then I’ve been back in Belgium since last week and have had some decent rides in races before this. So it’s been a great run before this, now it’s just a case of being patient.”
“All the work is now done, so it’s all in for Sunday,” he added.
In what’s widely anticipated to be a two-way scrap between Belgium's Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel for the title, Mason explained that attempting to get onto the podium or finish in the top five will be a tactical affair.
Mason said: “It’s definitely going to be pretty tactical on Sunday. The course is super fast, we’re looking at 27/28 kph average speed, so that’s going to be a real aspect to it. Getting separation is going to be really hard, there’s so many corners which will make that difficult.
“For riders like myself going after the spots after Wout and Mathieu, my race will be affected by how they play their race. It depends on if they get on with their battle super early or wait for the race to come to them. There’s a lot of scenarios, so I just need to get through the first 15-20 minutes without any issues, then the cream will rise to the top.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Tom is a News and Features Writer at Cycling Weekly. Since joining the team he has reported from races and events across the world including the Tour de France and World Championships.
-
Build it and they will come: the rise of Zwift
We tracked down the virtual riding platform's top brass to find out how it all began, and where it's going
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'Absorb the world around you and let your mind wander' - you may find that it's more addictive than data
Leaving the bike computer at home when heading out for a ride could help reboot your cycling
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel not intimidated by Tadej Pogačar’s form ahead of Milan-San Remo clash
Dutchman starts his 2024 road season at Italian Monument on Saturday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Visma-Lease a Bike say they want to be the All Blacks or Chicago Bulls of cycling, but is this possible?
The Dutch super team might be winning it all, but can they create a legacy?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says he’s ‘strong and fit’ and ready to go ahead of Opening Weekend
Pidcock set to lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert impress in Portugal ahead of bigger tests
Evenepoel starts season in fine form ahead of Tour de France debut this summer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Is it time for Mathieu van der Poel to solely focus on the road?
A sixth cyclo-cross world title seemed easy for the Dutchman. Does he have anything left to prove in the sand and the mud?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Wout van Aert and Visma-Lease a Bike left out of pocket by Tour of Britain organiser's collapse
Prize money for 2023 race unpaid, riders union says national federation must ‘bear the debts’ of previous organiser, SweetSpot
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
WATCH: Wout van Aert loses saddle in late crash but still manages to win Benidorm round of cyclo-cross World Cup
Belgian finally ended Mathieu van der Poel’s winter CX dominance on Sunday
By Tom Thewlis Published