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Rapha Super Cross Melbourne

_{Words: Andrew Pike | Photos: Wade Wallace}

A Sunday afternoon in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. The place: Brunswick East Velodrome, one of the oldest outdoor cycling tracks in the southern hemisphere. In years past many champion cyclists started their Olympic journey on the concrete of Brunswick. Today riders would take a detour off the track, not in search of Olympic medals but instead mud, sweat and beers.

The racers turned up in droves and the fans came screaming and clanging their cowbells for the inaugural Melbourne Rapha Super Cross. Inspired by the speed, intensity and atmosphere of the US cross scene, spectators at Rapha Super Cross Melbourne enjoyed racing of all abilities: from Aussie national champions to absolute beginners and kids.

Interestingly, the origins of cross go back many years. While the Belgians and Dutch certainly seem to have a lock on the sport, it wasn't until the Frenchman Octave Lapize won the 1910 Tour de France and attributed his success to his off-season cyclocross training that it really started to take off. Veldrijden, or 'field-riding', began as a means for road racers to continue training through the winter without facing horrendous road conditions. Instead, they took to the fields and forests, honing their handling skills and using the sections where they were forced to portage their bike to help bring the blood back into their toes.

Fast forward to the East Brunswick Velodrome and a spectacular course designed by Dirty Deeds CX created a fun but challenging 1.2km loop. There were thrills and spills, smiles, race face grimaces and burgers, frites and beer consumed by the hundreds. Face painting was favoured over a warm up and one lucky fan even won a Focus cross bike just for yelling his lungs out. The band and DJ might have taken a break once or twice, but not Wilfred the Flying Marsupial. He was a crowd hero pumping out lap after lap on his 16kg machine.

It’s still early days for cross racing in Australia but the scene is bubbling with a contagious energy. You may find it just around the corner. And be prepared for the next Super Cross Australia. You won’t be disappointed.

Music by Jez Mead song title Lost

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