ALMOST 600 cyclo-cross riders will descend on Peel Park on Sunday for the fifth round of the National Trophy Series.

And event organiser Fred Rothwell is adamant that the Bradford venue is simply the best in the country.

"It is the queen of courses," said Rothwell of an iconic cyclo-cross circuit that regularly stages the national championships and, with the eager backing of Bradford Council, is being earmarked to host a World Cup race in the not-too-distant future.

"The topography means that you can see the whole race from one vantage point.

"At most other courses, a spectator might only see the riders every five minutes."

However, it is not only the topography that makes Peel Park such a winner.

The riders also appreciate a venue – only the odd tweak has been made from last year's National Championships – that is recognised as a fair test of their all-round ability.

One of the most noticeable images from cyclo-cross in 2017 came when Otley's Tom Pidcock did his 'Superman' impression while crossing the line after winning the junior men's race in the nationals at Peel Park.

There will be a Pidcock competing this time, but it won't be Tom, who is now based in Nice, France and is carving himself a lucrative and successful career at European and world level.

Joe, 15, who rides for the impressive PH-Mas-Paul Milnes-Oldfield ERT Team, is following in his brother's tyre tracks.

Despite only competing in two of the four rounds so far, he has won both his events – at Derby and Shrewsbury – and is seventh in the under-16 boys' standings.

Elite men's Telenet Fidea Lions rider Tom has only competed in one of the rounds so far, winning at Abergavenny.

But the 18-year-old twice world cyclo-cross champion, who is also in the Great Britain Academy team for road and track, can act as a massive spur to other top national riders reckons Rothwell.

He said: "If those riders make their plans, work hard and have ambition like Pidders, who is a very hot property, then why not?"

If Joe Pidcock is one to keep an eye on in the Peel Park mud – and possibly snow – then he is far from alone.

Rothwell said: "Watch for Eldwick's Sophie Thackray in the elite women and junior women's race.

"She was interviewed at the Tour de Yorkshire launch in Halifax on Tuesday."

Others to look out for are Cononley's Ian Taylor in the men's 40-49 years', Shipley's Chris Young in the men's 50 plus, and Bradford's Euan Cameron (junior men), Billy Harding and George Fox (under-23 men).

An international flavour is provided by 23-year-old Belgian Braam Merlier, but former East Morton resident Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles-Montezuma's), who leads the elite men's standings – only one round remains after Peel Park – will be looking to take his scalp.

Incidentally, due to UCI rules, any National Trophy events in future years will be held over two days – as per the National Championships – in order to allow all of the different categories to ride separate races.

NATIONAL TROPHY SERIES – Fifth round, Peel Park, Bradford: 10.15am, Men's 40-49 years; 10.16am, men's 50 plus years; 11.15am, under-16 girls; 11.16am, under-14 girls; 12.05pm, under-16 boys; 12.06pm, under-14 boys; 1.30pm, junior men; 1.31pm, senior & junior women; 1.32pm, veteran women; 2.45pm, under-23 men and senior men.