6 Jersey Riders lined up over the weekend of 17th 18th 19th July in AE Forest, Scotland to face their respective categories. There were XCC titles and XCO titles to fight for with world class opponents in all categories.
Image above Harley Cadoret tackling the course on Sundays XCO race.
XCC Friday Evening
Amber Mauger, Liam Cadoret & Jay Cracknell all lined up for their championship short track races over a fast paced course with a steep descent in and flat out double track fire road section.
Maugers race was first and the girls flew out the blocks, Mauger getting a good start she said “it was important to have a good start which I thought I did but still got caught out with the rider in front stalling on the single track and the front 3 managing to get away. Was then in a group racing for 4th but sadly after me trying to attack too early I got caught again and finished 6th.” A bottle neck holding Mauger back from the front group sadly, but taking a well deserved 6th place.
Cadoret & Cracknell lined up against world cup winning rider Charlie Aldridge. Cadoret got a great start within the front group, however coming into the first single track section it bottled necked and had to dismount as did fellow islander Cracknell. The pair then worked together in the 3rd group holding good pace with a fastest lap of 3:01 for Cadoret and 2:54 for Cracknell when he eventually attacked and went solo with 3 laps to go. Cracknell finishing in 12th & Cadoret just behind in 13th.
Image below Liam Cadoret & Jay Cracknell Left , Amber Mauger Right
XCO Racing
Saturday saw Harry Queripel take on the Sport/Expert Category. Queripel in his debut season racing in the UK National Series and first ever national championship race tackled practice well and was watching lines of other riders throughout. The course was tough & technical testing Harry’s riding skills.
Despite a good start and approach to the course completing lap 1 in 18:04, a small off and then a puncture put him out of the race.
Harry said “I was hopeful for the weekend up in AE after spending the week in Scotland. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be ending up with a DNF after dislocating my shoulder and puncturing on lap 2. A disappointing end to the UK season for me but I’ll be looking to bounce back at Jersey champs!”
Sunday was the day for the remaining riders to take on the course over their respective categories.
Mauger off first in the Youth Female class tackling 4 laps. Lap 1 went fast in a time of 14.17 with her Jersey compatriots cheering her on around the course. The heat was intense and Mauger settled into a rhythm to finish in 7th, a great result in a very competitive field.
Mauger said ” I had a very fun and exciting weekend. It was a brutal course with a huge climb but an extremely fun descent which I thoroughly enjoyed each lap.”
Amber has been riding so consistently in 2026 and has since raced at the XC MTB European Championships finishing 36th! INCREDIBLE!
Harley Cadoret took to the line next in the Senior Women’s class. A fierce group of riders mixed with the U23 category saw an immense start, the group splitting from the off. Never the less Harley sat in and set her own pace and fought with elite riders, finishing 7th, an outstanding result in her debut year at the national championships.
Harley said “A great weekend, racing at AE Forest for the national championships. I was looking forward to the seeing what the course would be like and different elements it would throw at us.
With a super long climb and fast descent, I felt alright about the course despite a crash in practice. Racing in the senior/elite race for the first time, my plan was to hang on as long as I could, giving myself the best chances. The race started fast right from the get go. Super happy to take 7th at national champs on a brutal but exciting course! Thank you to all that have supported me this XCO UK series year.”
Last to ride was James Dilks & Jay Cracknell in the Senior Open & Liam Cadoret in the U23 Open class. Cracknell gridded 2nd row took Aldrige’s wheel for the start following the pack through the start loop. Meanwhile Dilks was close behind as they entered the main climb.
The front of the Senior Open race split up the climb with the top 10 leading away with Cracknell included, it wasn’t until the brow of the hill did he lose touch with the top 5.
Starting a little back Liam Cadoret was hot on the heels of the senior racers in the U23 class. He put in a rapid lap 1 of 13:54 settling down into 9th place just behind some Elite riders who he has battled with throughout the season. Liam continued his efforts completing 6 laps and finishing 9th place which he was very happy with, Liam said ” Top weekend of racing at the national champs in Scotland. A good start with 13th in XCC. Onto Sunday XCO on a brutal course happy to end the season with a top 10 come home in 9th u23.”
Meanwhile back in the Senior Open race James Dilks flew down the descent showing riders around him his technical abilities. He was able to gain places and move past a Manx rider with his skills, loud and proud.
Dilks rode well in the tough conditions to 21st place in front of Island Games Gold medalist from 2025 Grant Ferguson. James said “Great weekend up in AE Forest for national champs. Really good course which suited my strengths didn’t quite have the pace needed on the brutal climb but in one piece thanks for all the support.”
Cracknell finished off his season by sticking with the top 8 riders throughout the race and gaining time in the last lap to the rider in 7th taking him to 7th place, only 30 seconds back from 6th place. Despite having an off in lap 4 Cracknell said “Coming into the national championships I had some confidence in my form from our recent interinsular clash with Guernsey. In the XCC I started well but got caught in a bottle neck which meant I was unable to contest for any higher position than 12th place.
The XCO course was absolutely savage, a 5 or so minute climb into a gnarly descent and some techy sections. Again my performance in practice gave me some good confidence with a 5 minute all time power PB up the main climb during a practice effort. It started off fast up the first climb just about in the lead pack of 8 riders. I was able to hang onto the front pack for the majority of the first lap and then settled into my own rhythm battling with positions 6 & 7. The course was long so I was keen to hold my pace and come through stronger at the end of the race. Although I had 2 little offs on the course one of which being an over the bars I was happy with my lap times and how I paced the race. Through the last lap I was able to attack and pass the rider ahead of me to take 7th place.
All race Results HERE – British Cycling National XC Championships 2026, 17/07/2026-19/07/2026 : : my.race|result
All the riders would like to thank Jersey Cycling, Jersey Sport , Big Maggys Race Team, Caeserean Cycling Club and Solent Pirates for their support throughout the season. Again undoubtedly the Cadoret family for supporting everyone in the pits and through the weekends cheers everyone on.
