Can Simon Survive The (Masters) Worlds?

It's been a decade since Si was a Pro Cyclist, and it's been even longer since he last took part in a Cyclocross World Championships, but that doesn't mean he doesn't still have a hunger for competitive racing! Si is taking part in the World Masters Cyclocross Championships to rekindle that flame, and see just how hard the competitive world of Masters Racing is. How close can he get to a world title?!
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[@gcn]

How do you think Si did? Let us know! 👇

[@cyclebicycle]

He did super

[@Aeronwor]

He absolutly smashed it, the race too, not just the barrier. 😃

[@gcn]

😂

[@hisdadjames4876]

Inspiring effort, Si, and a story well-told. Im just discovering CX and it is so much more fun to watch than seeing the peloton just whizz by in a road race. 🤷‍♂️

[@penrar]

Did fantastic and his rehearsal for his new foray into athletics with the long jump was impressive!

[@JonCannings]

Tom Last, the man the myth, the bloody good guy!

[@gcn]

...The legend

[@_AJH_]

Spoiler alert!

[@oraszuletik]

While the other legend is just commenting here above

[@EtO124]

@@_AJH_ why looking in the comments before watching? 😅

[@_AJH_]

@@EtO124 I’m watching on my phone and it always displays one comment just below 😩😭😭

[@tallulahbeaverhausen4382]

What a genuine pleasure to see Lasty again on GCN ! Such a cool guy. Please, have him back on your channel !

[@gcn]

His appearances being rare make them more special though, right? 😉

[@t1p1may0]

LASTY!!! The comeback we all wanted (nice to see you compete Si too)

[@gcn]

The reunion of the decade?!

[@romeandcurry6915]

Two masters on screen, well done Si and great to see Lasty back :-)

[@belowthehill]

So glad you finally discovered Masters races. After a few years of watching my daughters race triathlons, I thought that I can still do this! I was 63 at the time and signed up for one with them using my old Trek hybrid bike. Big mistake. While I crushed them in the swim (that’s my big thing) they sailed past me on the bike offering encouragements. Grrr… Next race, upgraded bike to light Specialized bike and very much enjoyed encouraging them to keep up with old dad! Before covid hit, I did five races that summer, coming in with a first with in the aqua/bike (no run) group, because my knees were gone due to arthritis. It was hard to collect my medal because I couldn’t climb up on the podium stand without help from the second and third place finishers. They were cool and could relate… When riding with my mates its like were still 16 and going for broke. I don’t feel old when we’re riding together up mountains in Colorado or Vermont. And my wife is ready waiting to take pictures on our triumphant return. The masters guys Tom interviewed I can tell are kindred spirits. Old is not a thing. Riding your bike as best you can is a thing!

[@Star14trek]

Mr Last looking very distinguished! It only seems 5mins since last we saw him but guessing it more like 5yrs? We need more Last racing Ollie ! Bring back Last .... Matt .... Jon for Christmas special ..... PLEASE! ..... Out of their comfort zone ..... Like racing CX race 🥳

[@gcn]

He's like a fine wine, only get's better with age! Glad you enjoyed the vid. Lasty on a cx race next?

[@ZeroSeriesMMX]

@@gcn Oh heck yes. I mean come on, man's busy spearheading putting the "Global" in Global Cycling Network (according to what I understand on the site bio)... That should be really good. We see Ollie pulling off small miracles, Lasty next? 😁

[@cecillanoux4807]

oh man, Last v Ollie in ANYTHING!!! Make this happen!!

[@jameswallace3561]

Great to see Tom back on screen, and brilliant effort from Si

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimbrittain2617]

Si is a flippin' legend! Congrats. You truly continue to make GCN wonderful, as your expertise and experience is always underplayed by your humility. Thanks for making the channel so good!

[@gcn]

Thanks a lot! For more Si, you should check out our 'Fastest known time' film on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/kaw

[@SimonH72]

Great to see Tom back in front of the camera again! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@gcn]

Do you want more Lasty? 👀

[@SimonH72]

@@gcn of course! 😂👍

[@MS-bw7yt]

Si doing a great race, Lasty back on camera and only a comparatively small product placement from canyon. One of the better gcn videos lately :)

[@gcn]

Glad you liked it!

[@richardhaselwood9478]

One of the "problems" with Masters racing is that news events tend to focus on a few dodery old Gents in their 90's who have out lasted most of their competition (and, to be honest, bravo to them). In reality, many of these guys are former elite racers, who've been racing at that level for decades. I have a riding buddy, who has won the Australian Masters Championships in his age group for TT and road race (about 70 YO). He regularly flogs the legs off bunch of us around on group rides who are 30 or 40 years younger than him. Frankly, he's not fit for a 70 year old, he's fit for a 30 year old. He informs me, most of his competition are at his level. Until his recent retirement, he would have been training about 10 hours a week I'd say. Now he's retired, he can get serious about training again :) Also, awesome to see Lasty in front of the camera again.

[@gcn]

There's some absolute hitters out there! Just proves that age is just a number!

[@montanajones8393]

When Si mentioned team support, the first & only name that came to mind was Lasty. Lo & behold, the man himself. So good to see Lasty on air again. One of my favs.

[@gcn]

If you say his name too many times he appears out of nowhere, with chips

[@CL-dh2mf]

This is the content I love and the reason I'm still subscribed!👍 Seeing Lasty back feels so good, my hair turned grey the same way in the meantime.😄🤗

[@gcn]

Thanks a lot! We've not let him out for a while, he hasn't seen the sun much 😉

[@matt_acton-varian]

Good to see Lasty make a rare appearance! And Chapeau Simon not even those barriers could break your spirits (or your ankles)! Thoroughly entertaining and thanks for showing more non-elite category racing! More content like this!

[@gcn]

Thanks! For more of Si, you should check out our 'Fastest known time' film on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/kaw

[@nex_randomness6493]

dang! Tom has aged well. A decade had just passed eh. He looks amazing.

[@tomskid27]

LASTY! Good to see him back in front of the camera! Now bring back John Cannings!

[@gcn]

Cannings and Lasty head to head? Cross race or road race?

[@davidcoeshall9596]

More of this GCN presenter race day coverage/competition please. Loved it. Honest and fun insight as always from the fairly funny Si Richardson.

[@gcn]

You should check out out 'World Tour to Cat 4' documentary on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/cat41

[@spikewalker6690]

Lasty's back! I still remember his pain face in a video from several years ago. 😆 Also good to see a video that was more than just an extended product advert

[@gcn]

Hard to forget that face 😂

[@manji001]

let all take a moment to appreciate the awesome enigma that is THE BRICK!! 🎉

[@gcn]

The Awesome Enigma .... sounds like he's got himself a new nickname! 😆

[@bh8605]

Starting 40th+ on the grid and finishing 7th is amazing! Way to go!!! I see another race in the near future. I'm a fan!!!

[@gcn]

Would you like to see Si back on the cross track? 👀

[@julianallen515]

Great to see Lasty back "The guy that won was going pretty fast" "Yeah, you didn't see much of him"! Big respect to Is, 7th at World Masters you looked smooth and skilled. Dan's gonna have to call you "The Sandman" and I don't mean because you send him to sleep!

[@donball370]

Well done Si and great to see Lasty back in front on camera. Sneaky one Si getting in at the bottom of the age group. Will we see more? Certainly got me thinking about having a go. The race buzz, the wobbly legs, lungs busting but what a feeling when done and tails to tell. Go the Vets!

[@gcn]

Go for it! Its never too late

[@francodellamura7471]

Well done Si, you should be very proud! From 46th to 7th! You need to enter next year and win it!

[@bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

Tom - giving off the george clooney talc vibes. Great to see you back again. I think that you can get rid of that brick from the studio now.

[@johnmoug5149]

Great effort and really good attitude. Will definitely encourage others to participate. Well done Si.

[@gcn]

Thanks! We hope it'll inspire people to give it a go!

[@paultowns9880]

Chapeau Simon. Incredible result.

[@markusekendahl5918]

What a blast! Si smashing it (including the barriers, good of you to get even with them, just standing there in your way) AND, so so good too see and hear Tom Last again. We have missed you Tom!!! I was just waiting for the cramp to sneak up on you when you presented the bikes! This video was an absolutely marvellous way to kick off my Sunday.

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it! And there's plenty more cyclocross to watch today over on GCN+ too 👉 gcn.eu/racetv!

[@michaelemerson1996]

Tom! What a legend

[@jonathanhayden7953]

Well done, SI and Tom for support. Showed us all how intense and fun racing can be at any age. I raced Senior X-Country(Running) Nationals a few years ago here in the USA (before switching to road cycling). Limited training for everyone, but the racing, felt quite intense as it was sleeting and 1 degree C. Loved it! Cyclocross seems the same experience. GCN should do this more often with the presenters, even Dan if he has not gotten too old for a cycling challenge. . .

[@gcn]

Dan and cyclocross!.. not a good mix 👀

[@patrickorourke152]

Brilliant effort and admitting he was real nervous well done lad great to watch really enjoyed it a new channel is born GOCN Getting Older Cycling Network we’re getting older and a bit slower but we still love cycling and bikes 😂😂

[@gcn]

Glad you liked it! Hahah don't tell our presenters that, its not 2012 anymore 😉

[@patrickorourke152]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@davepratt9909]

Welcome back Lasty! Your hill-climbing pain face is missed!

[@gcn]

We still ask for impressions of the face around the office 😂

[@polsifter]

Nice! Great to see Lasty again and congrats Si!

[@budycelyn]

yay tom, awesome to see him again, that was great Si well done

[@GuilhermeABassi]

Congrats Simon, I'm so proud of you and I really enjoyed everything: the race, the work, presentation. Thanks all of you!

[@allanfoster6965]

Hurrah Tom is back on screen!

[@keithrides65]

I have done a few Master's races and the intensity does not go down, only my fitness did! I did not expect to see a 7th place finish with that starting position. Absolutely fantastic!

[@frankling9840]

Spoiler alert

[@gcn]

That's great to hear! Are you still racing? 👀

[@keithrides65]

All done racing for now. Last race was in your age group at a World Masters DH race in Bromont Quebec where i got a Silver medal. I am 57 now and discovered the joy of Gravel riding.

[@CameronFraserACHF]

Have to echo others and say what a genuine pleasure it is to see, and hear from, Tom Last again.

[@smachsimo]

Lastly, the legend is back !

[@ethangodridge6833]

Great stuff Si! Great to see the Brick back in action.

[@yamaman2711]

It's great to see Tom Last! Bring Tom back for more episodes.

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Those ankles Si! The'll trip you up every time! Seriously, I don't watch racing but I enjoyed this. Maybe at 64, I could consider a master's cyclocross race. Great video. Great fun! Now get an epsom salts bath and somerest. Thanks for having the courage to tak this on Si and for taking us along for the ride! Cheers! Good on you!

[@glennstokes2162]

LASTY.. excellent to see the man, the myth back.

[@nickcoulter973]

Seeing Tom and Si back together is a most welcome change. I would genuinely enjoy watching 10 more episodes of those 2 challenging the masters category all over England.

[@carldowningphoto]

Great to see Lasty back in front of the camera!

[@CesarLuisAfonsoDias]

I usually do MTB races, at amateur level. In the last one I raced, 75km, the guy who won, ride at 22km/h, with 2km of climbs, with the last 10km on a single with a very narrow passage and some climbing and with many rocks. The guy was 44 y.o. ( This was amazing, me with my MTB can only ride at that speed with the same km's and same climbing distance on normal roads) At amateur level, I see on average people performing better after 30y.o. than the young guys. I guess it has to do with experience and training. I even know a guy, with 60y.o. that performs way better than me ( Im on decent shape )

[@skippervevo8441]

It's always great watching si anchor, but the feeling of watching him race is totally different, I loved it. Nice work sir

[@howardclegg7960]

Nice to see Lasty again, he's a proper silver fox now

[@gcn]

😂

[@photoren]

Always great to see Mr. Last make a special guest appearance. Looking good!

[@pogpoggle]

Awesome ! Great to ‘The Brick’ again. Props Mr Last! Simon....I’m not sure you left it all on the course....no chunks blown!!

[@paulim8703]

Great ride Si, and good stuff bringing more visibility to both cyclocross and masters racing. Oly told me he’s happy you’ve done the race because prior, you’d leave your Sat morning group in your wake trying to get trained up!

[@nightsfalling]

Great race Si and also great to see Tom back in a GCN video.

[@gcn]

Both Si and Tom smashed it 🙌

[@nightsfalling]

@@gcn is this Tom answering the comments? :)

[@rg807]

You're making me think about having one more go at it. It's so hard to give it up. 60+ next year.

[@gcn]

Keep it up 💪 It's a "fun" way to spend an hour 😂

[@tomfeie2733]

Haven't watched the video. So great to see Tom Last on GCN again... Cheers from Cincinnati USA

[@patrikhalen460]

Do not think the stumble embarrassing at all. Was hoping for a win when I started watching but when I heard about training hours my hope sank. But really impressed by the place you actually took. Impressive!!

[@gcn]

It's Si's happy place 🙌

[@318ishonk]

Good effort Si, and good result but also ARE YOU KIDDING ME TOM LAST IS BACK ON SCREEN O.M.G.! CAN WE HAVE LASTI COMMENTING ALL REMAINING CX WORLD CUPS PLEASE? PLEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSE? Ermagerd I'm so excited!

[@gcn]

He only came because we promised him chips. The cold may've frightened him back into hibernation...

[@markbooth6745]

Brilliant Simon, well done. Great video. 🔥🔥🔥😃👍

[@boudoir00]

Really enjoyed this one! Great to see that Si is actually as fit as we think he is! 🤩

[@jamskof]

so good to see lasty!

[@davidsorensen1769]

What a great mate is Tom Last. The perfect place for you to make an appearance Tom! Well done Si- podium next year?!

[@gcn]

We'll have to get him training properly!

[@chrispig7748]

Great to see Lasty again

[@SEBDISTEF]

What a strong effort !!! So inspiring Si, lot of congrats from France !!!

[@whatwelearned]

I thought when I hit 40 I might be able to do quite well in a race because I assumed everyone would be broken down or fat. Turns out they're all beasts *I'm not crying you're crying*

[@JonicSc2Strategy]

Well the people who enter those races willingly are certainly beasts. I doubt the general population is :P

[@narcosis9842]

Laaaastys back!!! Oh and well done Si 👍💪

[@lordoftranceaa]

the old and reliable Lasty! I'm so glad every time he gets time on the screen

[@glenntong477]

Nice seeing Lasty again!

[@adultcrash13]

it's sweet how Si acts and genuinely seems humble like he wasn't a world tour pro at one point. i've said it before and i'll say it again - best smile on gcn.

[@aarondangelo6313]

Decided to enter my first 2 crit races since it was local, at the ripe old age of 48! That was an experience, then did 2 Medio fondos.... Now 5 fondos planned for the coming year and some more crits, maybe even a stage race! 7th is amazing Si! Keep on it!

[@gcn]

Nice one! How have they been going?

[@aarondangelo6313]

@@gcn I didn't quit and I finished, thats what counts right?. Crits are soo fast! I am slow at 6' 225 lbs. I really enjoyed the Fondos put on by the National Gran Fondo series over here in the US. Realized quick that 50 34 and 11 28 aren't enough gears! :) Had to walk some hills but didn't quit and finished well!

[@davidsoftley4648]

Good ride Si, great to see the 'Brick' again. Coolness personified.

[@238949]

Great racing Simon and what a great video, really enjoyed this one

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rodscher28]

I began with cyclocross racing some 3-4 years ago. This year, will drop the 50's group. I'm pretty bad comparing to the other competitors, but enjoying this a lot. Getting out of my comfort zone.

[@shoemakj1]

I didn't start racing until 35 (back in the late 20th century) and on my first event thought, "Masters? Great! A bunch of old guys like me mixing it up and having a good time." Um, nope. Masters is code for "Guys with 15-20 years of racing in their legs who have slowed down maybe 5%." Many of the "Masters" were using that race as a warmup for their Cat I/II/III races later in the day. I quickly went back to the Cat 4/5 group for the rest of that first season.

[@donjohnson487]

Lastiiiieeeee ❤🙌🏻 so good to see the brick again

[@onmyphone-Fl]

Age groups over 40 are no joke, those that are still healthy and racing are super fast and dedicated to the craft, no matter the discipline. Great video, I was on the edge of my seat

[@feins]

Nice to see Tom back there.

[@Sinblck]

Great to see Tom Last once again !

[@zimboy777]

great effort Si and Lasty, what a gent!

[@gcn]

Si did us proud! 🥹

[@johnsenior478]

Usual top job from Si. Not the biggest surprise that he was competitive given his outings in the 3Peaks CX. No surprise to see nice guy Tom Last in the Pits.

[@jojodejesus7181]

I can't believe it. Great to see Tom Last in front of the camera.

[@francesstager997]

LOVELOVELOVE the black hooded jacket! I have not seen that on the website!! Where can I find one???

[@abyshepherd6944]

Great to see Lasty again!! Fabulous. 😊😊

[@donnajago]

Well done Si you've a legend, loved watching this.

[@gcn]

For more of Si killing himself on camera, you should check out our 'Fastest known time' film on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/kaw

[@damienmurphy7023]

Lasty! Great to see you again. You’re looking fit and healthy. Come visit more often.

[@casefarley5744]

Nice to see The Brick back in front of the camera. : )

[@The_Cotswold_Cyclist]

Great to see the legend that is Lasty making an appearance 👏 🙌 👌

[@donaldyoung8866]

Nice one Si and a huge well done to Gary MacDonald from Fort William getting third..awesome stuff

[@harrychilcott9561]

THE BRICK IS BACK!!

[@stevenmanns248]

Chapeau Si tremendous effort👏

[@russstarke6004]

Great effort, great result and yet upstaged by the Brick.

[@martinandersson5833]

Solid effort Si. P7 is impressive. Well done👏👍

[@cabrown0525]

Lasty!!!! It has been too long! Well done Si!

[@cecillanoux4807]

gotta love when The Brick makes an appearance!!!

[@seattlegrrlie]

Cyclocross is a hell of a sport. Good job Si and all the riders out for the pure fun of it

[@gcn]

Its a tough race for sure 🙌 Have you ever been temped?

[@rolldabonz1]

Very proud of Si!! Awesome job and very inspiring for us “Masters”!!!!

[@gcn]

Are you still racing? 🚴‍♀

[@rolldabonz1]

@@gcn Not really, Just a couple of gravel events a year. I do still ride and train. Not a big CX cycling community in Canada.

[@crbondur]

Love the encouragement of focusing on the "process", not just the results. That's so KEY! Biking is supposed to be fun, no matter what. If we're not having fun and enjoying the riding just because we didn't podium, I think we're doing it wrong. Thanks Si for taking on this event and reminding us to enjoy our efforts!

[@kelvindavison3314]

The Brick! Back on screen at last 😁

[@markusmencke8059]

Good to see the Brick again. 😊 Looked like a fun day racing.

[@n22pdf]

Wow wee Si 7th is brilliant you still got it, life in the old dog yet ;) well done.. great effort dude

[@robinmcbride4057]

Simon #42, the answer to life, the universe and everything!

[@HarroldUK]

Great video!! And great to have an appearance from Lasty!!

[@mylifeoliverking]

so great to see you in Suffolk. Would have been great if you could had give Suffolk CX and Eastern CX league a shout out.

[@adlenbourafa2150]

So great to see Lasty back, more of him please