Cycling as a sport is based very much on tradition – traditional practices, races and a traditional aesthetic. For many of us this is something we love – after all, who hasn't gazed just a little bit longingly at a classic racing bike from, say, 50 years ago, dripping with chrome and history.

Of course, there are times when we roll our eyes and wish the sport would get with the programme. The UCI's attempt, ultimately abandoned, to press rewind on the Hour record and standardise all bikes and equipment to Eddy Merckx's 1972 ride, is the perfect example.

Amateur cyclo-cross though, with its on-the-day entry, come-one-come-all attitude and themed fun races, was different to the rest. It was the young punk in a room of monocled fuddy-duddies, bucking trends and always doing the unexpect

See Full Page