Ultimate cyclocross guide: All you need to know about cyclocross racing

The increasingly popular sport of cyclocross has taken cycling by storm these past few years. It demands endurance, agility and technique to navigate challenging courses filled with obstacles, mud and steep climbs.  

Whether you're looking to train for road racing fitness in the offseason or embrace a new hobby, cyclocross offers an exhilarating challenge. 

Cyclocross – shortened to CX or cross – is an offroad form of bike racing, often described as a mix of road cycling, mountain biking and steeplechase.  

The sport sees participants take on a closed-circuit mixed terrain course, typically 1-3km long, in a race that lasts 30 minutes to an hour. 

Cyclocross races emphasise high-intensity effort and skills beyond simple bike handling. With their sharp turns, hurdles, tree roots and obstacles, multi-terrain course conditions force riders to dismount and carry their bikes on hill climbs and wooded trails.  

Adding to the challenge, races generally take place in autumn or winter—strong winds, rainfall and muddy courses are all part of the fun! 

In the early 20th century, Tour de France riders created cyclocross to stay in shape during the off-season. With few roads available, they rode through farmers' fields, forests and hills, clambering over fences and obstacles to outpace their competitors. 

Today, cyclocross is a major sport in northern Europe, especially in Belgium and the Netherlands, which host events like the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup and the Superprestige series.  

In recent years, cyclocross has gained popularity in the United States, highlighted by the US Cyclo-cross National Championships and regional series such as Cross Crusade. 

Cyclocross bikes are built for intense 30-minute to 1-hour races on multi-terrain courses. They feature fast handling and aggressive geometries.  

“CX bikes" or "cross bikes” resemble road bikes in terms of geometry but have wider tyres for better grip. The tyre clearance is designed to allow for mud shedding but is not as wide as gravel bikes. 

(Find out more about how cyclocross bikes compare to gravel bikes.) 

While disc brakes improve stopping power in muddy conditions, cross bikes are geared for a short race with punchy climbs out of the saddle, with smaller gear ratios the better choice for changing terrain. 

In terms of equipment, the shorter the ride, the less you need. But essentials for CX biking include a cyclocross-specific bike and appropriate clothing such as moisture-wicking jerseys, thermal layers and cyclocross shoes with good traction to take on the mud.  

Gear such as a helmet, gloves, eyewear and a portable bike repair kit are crucial for safety and maintenance during the race. 

To prepare for cyclocross racing, you need a solid cardio base, short interval and intensity training and honed bike handling skills. 

• Cardio Base: Solid cardiovascular fitness is the foundation of cyclocross success. Even the best bike handlers will not last a race without strong cardio, so focus on building a good set of legs and lungs through consistent endurance training. 
• Short Interval and Intensity Training: Cyclocross races are typically one hour with high heart rates, demanding extreme intensity. It’s about constantly getting on and off the gas, even when your body doesn’t want to. Incorporate short interval sessions, such as lactate threshold intervals, Tabata intervals and zone 5 sprints with brief recovery periods to train your body to function under these taxing conditions.  
• Bike Handling Skills: Effective bike handling is crucial for navigating the varied terrain of cyclocross. Practice riding single tracks, figure eights on different surfaces (mud, sand, grass), and mastering short 180-degree turns. 

One of the best ways to learn is to simply start racing. There will be a learning curve, but it is one of the ultimate ways to learn the skills needed properly. 

Experiencing cyclocross for the first time can be quite a surprise for a road rider or triathlete, so it's important to spend time mastering essential bike-handling skills to prepare for your first race. 

• Mounting and Remounting 

During a race, obstacles may require you to get off your bike, and technical sections, such as banks and mud, can often be quicker to run than ride.  

Being able to do both the dismount and remount at a reasonable speed while keeping the precious speed you’ve worked so hard to build is a key skill for any cyclocross racer—your aptitude in this area could save or cost you minutes! 

Practise getting on and off your bike and running with it, and figure out how you want to shoulder-carry your bike for when you encounter obstacles.

Top Tip: Before you reach a section where you need to run, think about which gear you'll need when you get back on the bike. You'll probably need to shift to an easier gear so you can quickly sprint back up to speed or finish the climb. 

• The Start

Cross is different from most other racing disciplines because the sprint happens at the start of the race, not at the end.  

The term ‘holeshot’ refers to the all-out sprint from the starting line to the first turn. In a cyclocross race, getting a quick start helps you avoid traffic at the initial corners and can be crucial for your overall positioning. 

Top Tip: Decide on your foot and crank position before the start. Practice sprinting from the start line smoothly while clipping in. Repeat this drill often. If possible, practice with others to get used to being shoulder-to-shoulder in a pack. 

• Cornering 

Mastering cornering is crucial because it can significantly improve your overall speed and control during a race. Focus on practicing cornering, especially on tight turns and various surfaces. Experiment with pedalling through corners, even if it feels counterintuitive. 

Work on leaning your bike and performing braking drills to discover the limits of your equipment and your comfort level. 

Top Tip: Set up two cones to form a figure-8 drill. Practice riding in both directions, gradually increasing your speed to understand your bike's cornering limits. Once you’ve mastered this, try the drill on a gentle hill to practice off-camber cornering. Also, work on using your inside foot to steady yourself and prevent falls, especially when riding clipped-in. 

• Terrain 

Cyclocross terrain is diverse and challenging, so practicing on various surfaces is essential. Do laps on grass, dirt and sand to get used to handling your bike at speed on different terrains.  

Each surface presents unique challenges and mastering them will significantly improve your performance and confidence during races. 

Top Tip: Sand is one of the terrains racers find most challenging to master. If you can reliably ride the sand, you'll make up a lot of spots on those who can't. 

The key is to avoid fighting the bike. Approach with speed, sit back, keep pedalling and let the bike find its path without trying to steer or you’ll find the front wheel digs in.  

• Race Strategy 

A solid cyclocross race strategy involves starting as hard as possible to secure a good position, maintaining the highest effort you can sustain and finishing with a final intense push. 

Most races allow for a practice lap, so it's wise to arrive a few hours early to get comfortable with the course by doing some practice laps. This will help you familiarise yourself with the terrain and plan your race effectively. 

By mastering these skills and strategies, you'll be well-prepared for the unique challenges of cyclocross racing.

In the world of cyclocross, several Canyon riders are making waves with their impressive performances. Here are a few athletes you should know: 

• Mathieu van der Poel  

Mathieu van der Poel is a cyclocross legend with six UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, including recent wins in 2023 and 2024. He has been the dominant rider in cyclocross for the best part of a decade, racking up 222 wins (and counting) since the junior ranks.  

Known for his exceptional bike handling and explosive power, he has also triumphed in major road races like the Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold Race. He pilots the Canyon Inflite. 

• Chloe Dygert  

Chloe Dygert is a versatile American cyclist excelling in track, road and cyclocross. After overcoming significant injuries, she made a remarkable comeback with multiple World Tour podiums and World Championship titles in 2023.  

Her strong performances in cyclocross races have highlighted her impressive speed and endurance across multiple disciplines. 

• Zoe Bäckstedt 

Zoe Bäckstedt, a rising star, won the Junior Women's Cyclo-cross World Championship in 2022. This winter, she quickly proved her step to CANYON//SRAM Racing was successful with a phenomenal season, capped by winning the rainbow jersey at the U23 World Cyclo-cross Championships in Tábor, Czechia.  

Her outstanding cyclo-cross season included three elite World Cup podium finishes, second place overall in the U23 World Cup, and a U23 European title. 

• Tibor Del Grosso  

Tibor Del Grosso is a promising young Dutch cyclist known for his agility and tactical skills. He had a standout season in 2023, winning the U23 Cyclo-cross World Championship in Tábor, Czechia. His achievements also include several victories in the UCI Junior Cyclo-cross World Cup, confirming his status as a future star in the sport. 

Discover more about Canyon athletes and the road bike models they ride.