{"id":51732,"title":"Review: Developing Cyclo-Cross Techniques by Mark Adams and Mark Wyer","description":"Review of the e-book Developing Cyclo-Cross Techniques by Mark Adams and Mark Wyer, which is a guide on how riders can improve their cyclocross skills.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: <\/span>CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

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Review of the e-book Developing Cyclo-Cross Techniques<\/em> by Mark Adams and Mark Wyer, which is a practical guide on how riders can improve their cyclocross skills.<\/p>

\"Young<\/p>

Every cyclocross rider appreciates the importance of technique to achieving success, especially when conditions are treacherous. We\u2019d all love to improve our cyclocross skills and be the ones gracefully navigating a course\u2019s challenges.<\/p>

In an ideal world, we\u2019d all have our own personal cyclocross coach who\u2019d be on hand to provide advice and point out where we need to refine our approach.<\/p>

A new e-book, Developing Cyclo-Cross Techniques<\/em> by Mark Adams and Mark Wyer, doesn\u2019t provide a personal coach, but it does give you access to the wisdom of two of the UK\u2019s most experienced cyclocross coaches.<\/p>

Can it help you enhance your cyclocross competency? Read on to find out what you get for your money.<\/p>

The authors<\/h2>

Mark Adams<\/strong> is a well-known British cyclocross coach who worked for British Cycling and Welsh Cycling for nearly a quarter of a century. He\u2019s trained elite-level and professional riders, as well as running regular cyclocross sessions for club cyclists.<\/p>

Mark Wyer<\/span><\/strong> worked with British Cycling for many years as a Coach and Development Officer. A dedicated cyclo-cross specialist, he coaches at both professional and grassroots levels.<\/span><\/p>

He\u2019s also a qualified Cyclo-Cross Commissaire, a former Chair of the Eastern Cyclo-Cross Association, and has coached regional teams. In addition to organising numerous races, he has frequently served as a commentator and judge at events across the sport.<\/span><\/p>

\"Co-authorMark Wyer in action, coaching riders. Image: Top Marks Coaching \u00a9 2025<\/em><\/p>

Developing Cyclo-Cross Techniques<\/em><\/h2>

What the e-book covers<\/h3>

The coverage of cyclocross techniques in the book is extensive. Twenty-two different topics are discussed, ranging from race starts to cornering, dismounts, riding in sand, sprint finishes and much more.<\/p>

\"MarkMark Adams instructs young riders at the UK\u2019s Cyclopark. Image: Top Marks Coaching \u00a9 2025<\/em><\/p>

There are seventy separate training sessions, each one focusing on one or more topics. Unsurprisingly, fifteen sessions are related to cornering.<\/p>

Every topic is introduced with a description of the technique, its application as a tactic in a race, various options, if applicable, and finally, the skills sessions required to master the technique. It\u2019s thorough. For example, thirteen pages are dedicated to starting, and it includes a method of clipping in that I\u2019d not even considered.<\/p>

\"ExtractExtract from the book. Image: Top Marks Coaching \u00a9 2025<\/em><\/p>

What the e-book doesn\u2019t cover<\/h3>

If you\u2019re only looking to improve your fitness for cyclocross, this is not the guide for you. It\u2019s purely about skills. Given how important cyclocross skills are to success, it\u2019s vital to optimise them. I\u2019ve never met a cyclocross racer who didn\u2019t want to improve their technique in at least one area.<\/p>

What else do you get?<\/h3>

Also included with the e-book are ten technique videos, which demonstrate the topics covered in the text. Personally, I find it really helpful to watch skilful riders negotiate challenges, observing how they use their entire body to achieve their aim.<\/p>

There are an additional five videos during which the two \u2018Marks\u2019 discuss how and why they developed the book and who it is aimed at. Whilst interesting, these are probably most useful to coaches.<\/p>

\"ExtractExtract from the book. Image: Top Marks Coaching \u00a9 2025<\/em><\/p>

Who will benefit from reading this book?<\/h3>

Unless your name is Mathieu van der Poel, you can probably benefit from reading Developing Cyclo-Cross Techniques. <\/em>Although Van der Poel, despite his incredible talent, makes the occasional mistake. Perhaps the \u2018Marks\u2019 should send him a copy.<\/p>

One of the joys of cyclocross is that you never stop learning and that there are always opportunities for improvement, no matter how good you are.<\/p>

From beginner to expert, there\u2019s something that everyone can learn from reading the book. It\u2019s clearly designed to allow riders to develop their skills progressively. It\u2019s not, however, a book that\u2019s intended to be read from cover to cover. At 160 pages, it\u2019s a long read.<\/p>

\"Cycling<\/u><\/a><\/p>

A far better approach would be to identify an area where you want to improve, read that section and work through the topic and sessions as you feel appropriate. Individual riders should be able to self-coach, but I think it\u2019ll work best with someone organising the sessions.<\/p>

It doesn\u2019t have to be a qualified coach. It could be another rider who plans and leads the session. It could be a group of friends who take turns to act as the lead.<\/p>

If you\u2019re a qualified coach, the book is an invaluable resource to help you convey the important messages and to structure your coaching sessions. Already, one of the UK\u2019s top youth cycling clubs has adopted it as a crucial resource to aid their qualified coaches.<\/p>

Our verdict<\/h2>

What we like<\/h3>

The book is extremely comprehensive, but the text, like the practical sessions, takes the rider through a progression from novice to competent and ultimately expert, with enough practice.<\/p>

There are quite a few tips that even a seasoned cyclocross rider should find useful, plus alternative options for certain skills.<\/p>

The videos enhance the text, making it clearer what a rider should do in most of the scenarios.<\/p>

What we\u2019d change<\/h3>

From its layout, I assume that the e-book was designed for printing. For obvious commercial reasons, this is not possible via the website that\u2019s used to access it. This means it has to be read online via the BookFunnel website or App.<\/p>

Experimentation proved that the e-book is more usable via the website than the App, but improvements could be made to the layout of the pages to make them more readable online. This is, however, a quibble. It\u2019s more likely that riders and coaches will read the book away from the training area and have prepared their own notes beforehand, if needed.<\/p>

Hopefully, these minor issues will be resolved, and the book will be refined and improved over time based on feedback from riders and coaches.<\/p>

READ MORE<\/strong>: For more cyclocross guides, interviews and features, visit our dedicated <\/em>cyclocross hub<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>

\"Read<\/u><\/a><\/p>

Overall<\/h3>

Developing Cyclo-Cross Techniques<\/em> is an excellent addition to the toolkit of any cyclocross rider. At \u00a318.99, it's significantly cheaper than a cyclocross tubular and could have a longer-lasting effect.<\/p>

Where to buy<\/h3>

Developing Cyclo-Cross Techniques <\/em>can be purchased online for \u00a318.99<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>

9 September 2025, Tim Costello<\/em><\/p>

Disclaimer: Neither Rijden nor the author has received any financial incentive to publish this article and will not benefit from any sales.<\/em><\/p>

All images and text are the copyright of Rijden unless stated otherwise.<\/em><\/p>

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