Cyclo-Cross World Championships 2024: Everything you need to know about Team GB's hopes

Cameron Mason became the first British man to win an elite medal at the European Championships last year by claiming silver

Cameron Mason, Anna Kay and Zoe Backstedt lead British hopes at the Cyclo-Cross World Championships in the Czech Republic this weekend.

Cyclo-cross involves laps around a course which lasts an hour, consisting of ramps, muddy bends and flat road surfaces.

Britain's Tom Pidcock - world champion in 2022 - is not competing in Tabor. Belgium and the Netherlands are the most successful nations, with Fem van Empel and Mathieu van der Poel leading the favourites.

Here is everything you need to know about the event.

How does cyclo-cross work?

The cyclo-cross season takes place mainly over winter. The British Championships were in Falkirk in January, won by Cameron Mason and Anna Kay.

Athletes ride bikes similar to those used on the road, but with tyres better adapted to the terrain.

Although some forms of cycling do feature in the Olympics, cyclo-cross is not one of them.

Some riders, such as Pidcock or Evie Richards, compete in multiple disciplines, moving from cyclo-cross to road racing or mountain biking specifically.

Zoe Backstedt was the 2023 Elite British National Champion and also won the 2022 Junior world title

Who is competing for GB?

Scotland's Mason wears the national jersey as a two-time British champion.

"There's a big list of Dutch and Belgian names and I'm kind of the joker card that could slip under the radar and do something special," he told BBC Sport.

Joining Mason in the men's elite will be Thomas Mein, who previously won the Under-23 event.

Kay of Gateshead is the only Brit in the women's elite, fresh off the back of her debut British title.

"It gives you confidence in yourself, and I'm happy to wear the jersey with pride. GB cyclo-cross is in a really good place, we have a lot of younger riders moving up," she said.

One of those is Wales' Zoe Backstedt in the Under-23 race, who won silver last year and has shown promise both in cross and on the road.

"I don't have any expectations, it's my second year pro. If I can go to worlds this year, great. If I can do Europeans, also great. If I can do Olympics, that would be a dream come true," she said.

How can I watch the World Championships?

The men's and women's Under-23 and elite races will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with some also broadcast on the Red Button.

Races will be available to watch on catch up on iPlayer.

Schedule

Saturday 3 February - Men's Under-23, 11:20 GMT and Women's Elite, 13:30 GMT

Sunday 4 February - Women's Under-23, 11:20 GMT and Men's Elite, 13:30 GMT