Seymour and Aiken to battle for Cyclocross Champ title

It will take a storming ride to beat Aiken (left) and Seymour

Robin Seymour may be going for his 18^th national title in Dublin's Raheny tomorrow, Saturday, but he will have his work cut out for him if he is to see off the challenge of the in-form Roger Aiken.

Both have dominated the cyclocross season on both sides of the border in recent months and it is difficult to see anybody challenging the duo over the demanding course in St Anne's Park tomorrow.

Seymour (Team WORC) has a slight advantage in that he has raced the course in recent weeks, when the Stevens Supercross Cup visited the north side venue.

On that occasion he took victory from Connor McConvey (An Post-Sean Kelly), with Banbridge CC man Aiken a no-show on the day.

Stickybottle understands that McConvey, who is now in the thick of preparing for the road season in Europe, will not be on the start line tomorrow. Also missing are Ryan Sherlock (formerly SportActive) and Conor Campbell (Newry Wheelers).

However, the likes of Matt Adair (Unattached), Evan Ryan (Team WORC), John Bogues (Phoenix CC) and Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers), will put it up to Seymour and Aiken and fight amongst themselves for at least the bronze medal.

Aiken and Seymour have been so far ahead of the rest of late that it is not disrespectful to say the rest of the field is most likely racing for the bronze, barring incident.

Related News

Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains

Video - Italy's hero Balsamo mobbed mid-stage during Giro TT

However, the recent bad weather has chopped up the course and with lots of features to negotiate including steps, a narrow pedestrian bridge and a steep strength-sapping gully to ride in and out of each lap; it is a course on which anything can happen.

We're told by the Team-WORC organisers that while the course is wet and has been ridden a lot by riders training for tomorrow, it is "holding up".

While Seymour has been the undisputed master of the cyclocross discipline over the post two decades, Aiken has probably been the slightly more impressive performer of late. He beat Seymour on the last two occasions they met; at Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor in November and Dublin's Tymon Park last month.

The form book says Aiken will take it, but given Seymour's record in championships you just could not bet against him. Our verdict? It's just too close to call.

There will also be a B race and underage race tomorrow, though they are not national title races. Find the start grid for the A race below, along with some information on tomorrow's Team WORC-run events.

Timetable:

9.30 am Registration Opens
10.30 am Course Open for Practise
11.30 am Registration Closes, Course closed for Practise
11.30 am Race 1, Under 16, Under 14, Under 12, Non Championship Men [b race]
12.20 am Course re open for Practise, [Race 2 only]
1.00 pm Race 2, Senior Men, Veteran Men, Ladies Championship Category Junior men
2.30 pm Awards Ceremony

The following gridding applies for the 2012 Championship race.