The privilege of being in green and gold

After 12 months of racing in the green and gold kit, Rebecca Locke and Tom Chapman will relinquish their titles on August 19 when the 2023 AusCycling Cyclo-cross National Championships begin.

The duo are the reining elite men and women’s champions and once again line up in a bid to retain the coveted title after success at the Greenvalley’s course last year.

“It’s been an honour to wear the jersey this season. Each time I put it on I’m incredibly thankful.

“I haven’t taken it for granted once, it’s been awesome,” said Chapman who took out Rounds 5 and 6 of the CX National Series in Adelaide.

The South Australian has spent plenty of time off-road recently on the XC and enduro bike.

“I’m feeling really comfortable on the dirt at the moment, but as always there’s lots to work on and improve.”

The likes of Christopher Aitken and Garry Millburn, currently first and second in the CX series, will again be pushing for top step on the podium in the elite category.

However, there are still a few smokey’s in the field including Tristan Nash who won the opening two rounds of the series in Western Australia.

In the women, Rebecca Locke has dominated the elite women’s national series category winning six of the eight rounds on offer.

After having claimed her second national championship last year, the Victorian won't let it go without a fight come race day and she’s hoping that the heavens open in Ballarat.

“It’s a great little course. I hope it’s wet because if it’s dry then it becomes more of a roadie's course which doesn’t suit me.

“There are some challenging sections in it and hopefully they’ve added a few more bits and pieces to it which will make it a good event,” Locke said.

The course is 2.85km long across grass and dirt and includes a short but steep climb and descent at the midway point.

Event categories range from U13 to Elite and Masters 8+.

Entries close 10pm Wednesday, August 16.

To enter the National Championships click here.

Photo Credit: Turn8Photography