Nick Craig will start as the favourite for the 49th 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross Race, dubbed ‘the world’s toughest cross race’, on Sunday.

Veteran off-road legend Craig (Scott UK) won the 38-mile race, over the summits of Ingleborough, Whernside and Penyghent, in 2009 – a remarkable 18 years after his first victory in 1991.

The Derbyshire rider’s biggest challenge will come from national cyclo-cross champion Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) and it promises to be an intriguing battle between the pair which could go right down to the wire.

The man missing from the front end of the race is eight-time winner Rob Jebb (Wheelbase.co.uk/Cannondale) who, after falling badly in a fell race at the end of July, has undergone shoulder surgery and will be forced to watch from the sidelines.

Oldham is a slightly surprising entry into what is very much a specialist event which ideally necessitates specific training. He has gone on record as saying he has entered to show off the national champion’s jersey this season and “do it proud.”

The Lancastrian has finished the race on seven previous occasions (never finishing lower than 12th), but has not started since 2006. Craig has only actually completed two more ‘Peaks’ races than Oldham, but significantly has two victories.

Craig has prepared specifically for 3Peaks and should arrive in Yorkshire in prime condition, having improved his fell running ability sufficiently to beat specialist Jebb two years ago.

Craig is likely to establish a lead over the first two steeper mountains, but could come under pressure from Oldham on the more rideable final peak of Penyghent.

Jebb’s Wheelbase team-mates, winners for the past three years, are set to come under pressure from Oldham’s Hope Factory Racing for the team award in Jebb’s absence.

Conditions during the race are expected to be testing as strong winds are forecast. Reports also suggest that under-wheel conditions are heavier than in recent years after a wet summer in this part of the Yorkshire Dales.

Konrad Manning will report again next week on the race and how he got on himself on his sixth start.

Previous 3 Peaks articles by Konrad:
Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross – the lure
Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross – the countdown