The biggest British names in cyclocross may spend much of the winter in Belgium and the Netherlands, but the 2026–27 season should still produce a strong domestic battle through the Lloyds National Trophy Series and January’s National Championships.
The key man to beat in Britain remains Thomas Mein. Riding for Hope Factory Racing, Mein dominated much of the 2025–26 National Trophy campaign, winning the opening three rounds and ultimately taking the overall series. At Clanfield he recorded his 10th National Trophy victory in 12 starts, underlining just how difficult he has become to beat on British courses.
Cameron Mason remains Britain’s strongest international elite rider, but his programme is likely to be centred mainly on European racing. He will nevertheless be the favourite whenever he appears at home, particularly at the National Championships. Mason won his fourth consecutive British elite title at South Shields in January 2026, ahead of Toby Barnes and Ben Askey.
Among the younger men, Oscar Amey is one of the most interesting riders to watch. He was regularly the leading under-23 in National Trophy races last season and took second in the U23 classification at the British Championships. His speed was evident at South Shields, where he led the elite race early before Mason eventually took control.
The women’s domestic scene could be even more open. Ffion Drake was the outstanding National Trophy rider of 2025–26, winning the first four rounds and eventually taking the series overall. Drake only started cyclocross relatively recently but has progressed rapidly, including strong performances against international opposition.
National champion Anna Flynn is another major name. Primarily a road rider, Flynn produced a superb ride in difficult conditions at South Shields to win the 2026 British title by more than a minute. Behind her, former champion Xan Crees finished second, with Grace Inglis third. All three should be prominent whenever they line up domestically.
The junior categories also contain real depth. Jacob Steed won the 2026 junior men’s national title ahead of Luke Trafford, while Peggy Knox took the junior women’s crown. Trafford had already won four of the six National Trophy rounds during the previous season, making him one of the strongest young British riders entering 2026–27.
The domestic calendar begins at Derby on 17–18 October, followed by Pontypool, Cyclopark, Shrewsbury and a double-header finale at Peel Park in Bradford. The National Championships take place at Clanfield on 9–10 January 2027. Only the Derby round will carry UCI C2 status this season.
There will also be one exceptional international date on British soil: the Glasgow World Cup on 13 December, where Mason, Bäckstedt and other leading British riders could line up against the world’s best at Kelvingrove Park.
For the regular British season, though, the names to watch most closely are Mein, Drake, Flynn, Crees, Amey, Steed, Trafford and Knox. They are the riders most likely to shape the racing spectators actually see week-to-week in Britain.
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