Sharratt rules cyclocross

Difficult terrain holds no fears for two time national cyclocross champion Brendon Sharratt.

Brendon Sharratt has returned home to Whanganui to continue chasing the dream.

The 2014 and defending New Zealand cyclocross champion spent a decade away including time in Christchurch, Melbourne and Wellington.
Cyclocross is basically cross country racing on a road bicycle with the main differnce the nobbly tyres.

"Picture an normal harrier cross country course with all the obstacles, including soft sand, water, fences and rough terrain, but instead of just running, you're competing on a bike,' Sharratt said.

"Obviously there are times we need to carry the bike over the really rough stuff, so it can be extremely demanding.

"Cyclocross is huge in Belgium and other parts of Europe. While soccer may be their national sport, cyclocross is their second most popular with up to 70,000 spectators watching events live.

"Wellington and Hawkes Bay are the biggest regions for the sport in New Zealand attracting up to 150 riders at series they host, while the nationals are on-off competitions. I will defend my title in Blenhiem on August 19 this year.

"I have a young family and Whanganui is a great place to bring up kids and it's also close to the main cyclocross centres and they are the main reasons for moving home."

While retaining the national title is certainly high on his agenda, an internationally-sanctioned event in China in September is also a major goal.

"I'm going over with Sam Gardner from Palmerston North and a mechanic from Wellington. Sam finished second to me in the nationals last year. Cyclocross can be a teams race, but it is geared more to individual competitors unlike normal road or track cycling events. Sam and I will be travelling as fellow competitors rather than team mates," Sharratt said.

"Our first event is in Beijing starting September 3 with the competition ending in another province on September 6. The event is called the Quaisen Trophy and has attracted professional and amateur riders from the United States and Europe."

The 36-year-old, a spray painter for major sponsor Larsen Collision Repairs in Whanganui, is from a well-known road and track cycling family. His other major sponsor is Wellington-based Challenge Tyres.