Cyclo-cross News & Racing Round-up, Saturday, September 18, 2010

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Date published:

September 18, 2010, 23:00

• Mourey, Page to start season in Seattle

  

  Article published:

  September 7, 2010, 20:48

  By:

  Cycling News

  Cyclo-cross season kicks off on US soil

  The UCI cyclo-cross scene will have its first races of the season on US soil, with several European professionals choosing to take part in Seattle's StarCrossed and Rad Racing Gran Prix on September 18-19.

  While the first race of the year will be in Pennsylvania where the Nittany Lion 'Cross takes place on September 11, the first large international field is shaping up for the pair of races the following week in Washington state.

  French national champion Francis Mourey (Française Des Jeux), US champion Katie Compton (Planet Bike), Canadian champion Geoff Kabush (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain), and Czech champion Katerina Nash (Luna) will be among the top riders to take on the events.

  Also included will be Jonathan Page (Planet Bike), last year's StarCrossed winner Christian Heule, Ryan Trebon (Kona) and Adam Craig (Rabobank-Giant).

  The women's side will have an equally impressive line up with Sue Butler (Hudz-Subaru), Natasha Elliott (Garneau Club Chaussure Ogilvy) and Wendy Simms (Kona).

  The races are also part of the North American Cyclo-cross Trophy series, and will kick off on September 16th with a screening of Brian Vernor's new film "The Cyclocross Meeting" about the currently exploding US cyclo-cross scene and the emerging Japanese cyclo-cross scene. The premiere will take place at the Seattle Musical Theater located at the Magnuson Park Community Center in Seattle. Tickets will be available online and Brown Paper Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/125551

  On September 17th Page will help conduct a free clinic along with Herriott Sports Performance, in conjunction with Lake Washington Velo and RAD Racing NW. Page will preview the StarCrossed course with the riders in attendance and go over the nuances of the race start and the barrier section as well as give his personal insight on the other sections of the course. The clinic starts at 5:30 pm at the Marymoor Velodrome in King County's Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA.

  The weekend's festivities will also include amateur races, the Raleigh Single Speed race, an automatic qualifier for Single Speed Cyclo-cross World Championships and the Deschutes Beer Garden. For more information please visit www.starcrossedcx.com and www.nacyclocross.com.

• 56 UCI cyclo-cross races for North America

  

  Article published:

  September 14, 2010, 21:00

  By:

  Cycling News

  Regional US series announced

  For the first time in history, the UCI cyclo-cross season began in the United States as the Nittany Lion Cross kicked off the calendar on September 11 at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania.

  The event was the first in a record 56 events in North America for the 'cross season. It was also the first race in the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Calendar, which includes all US international races. The US calendar boasts eight UCI category-one events and 45 category-two competitions, giving the United States more internationally-sanctioned cyclo-cross races than any other nation. Belgium has the second highest number with 32 events.
  
  The season continues on the west coast the this weekend with Star Crossed Cyclo-cross in Redmond, Washington, on September 18 and will close on January 15 with the brand new Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup in Kingsport, Tennessee.
  
  In addition to the Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup, four other events are new to the calendar this season, including the Nor’easter CX at Loon Mountain on September 25 in Lincoln, New Hampshire, the Ellison Park Cyclocross in Rochester, New York on September 26, and days one and two of Krosstober-fest Weekend in San Dimas, California, October 2-3. 

  Many of the UCI races are part of either the national US Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross, North American Cyclo-cross Trophy series or one of the many regional series.

  North American UCI Cyclo-cross 2010-2011 calendar:

  September 9, 2010 - Nittany Lion Cross, Breinigsville, PA (Lehigh Valley Velodrome) (C2) ME/WE
  September 18, 2010 - Star Crossed Cyclo-cross (NACT), Redmond (C2) ME/WE
  September 19, 2010 - Rad Racing Gran Prix (NACT), Lakewood, Washington (C2) ME/WE
  September 18, 2010 - Charm City Cross, Baltimore (C2) ME/WE
  September 19, 2010 - Charm City Cross, Baltimore (C2) ME/WE
  September 18, 2010 - Schoolhouse Cyclo-cross, Williston, Vermont (C2) ME/WE
  September 19, 2010 - Catamount Grand Prix, Williston, Vermont (C2) ME/WE
  September 22, 2010 - Cross Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada (C1) ME/WE
  September 25, 2010 - USGP of Cyclo-cross Planet Bike Cup, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (C1) ME/WE
  September 26, 2010 - USGP of Cyclo-cross Planet Bike Cup, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (C2) ME/WE
  September 25, 2010 - The Nor Easter Cyclo-cross at Loon Mountain, Lincoln, New Hampshire (C2) ME/WE
  September 26, 2010 - Ellison Park Cyclo-cross, Rochester, NY U.S.A. (C2) ME/MJ/WE
  October 2, 2010 - Gran Prix of Gloucester 1 (NACT), Gloucester, MA (C2) ME/WE
  October 3, 2010 - Gran Prix of Gloucester 2 (NACT), Gloucester, MA (C2) ME/WE
  October 2, 2010 - Krosstober-fest Weekend, San Dimas, CA (C2) ME/WE
  October 3, 2010 - Krosstober-fest Weekend, San Dimas, CA (C2) ME/WE
  October 8, 2010 - Darkhorse Cyclo-Stampede International Cyclo-cross, Covington, Kentucky (C2) ME/WE
  October 9, 2010 - Java Johnny's - Lionhearts International Cyclo-cross, Middletown, Ohio (C2) ME/WE
  October 10, 2010 - Bio Wheels / United Dairy Farmers Harbin Park International, Cincinnati, Ohio (C1) ME/WE
  October 9, 2010 - Providence Cyclo-cross, Providence, RI (C2) ME/WE
  October 10, 2010 - Providence Cyclo-cross, Providence, RI (C2) ME/WE
  October 16, 2010 - Granogue Cross, Wilmington (C2) ME/MJ/WE
  October 17, 2010 - Granogue Cross, Wilmington (C2) ME/MJ/WE
  October 16, 2010 - Toronto International Cyclo-cross, Toronto, Ontario CAN (C2) ME/WE
  October 17, 2010 - Toronto International Cyclo-cross, Toronto, Ontario CAN (C2) ME/WE
  October 23, 2010 - USGP of Cyclo-cross Derby City Cup, Louisville, KY (C1) ME/WE
  October 24, 2010 - USGP of Cyclo-cross Derby City Cup, Louisville, KY (C2) ME/WE
  October 23, 2010 - Downeast Cyclo-cross Day 1, New Gloucester, MA (C2) ME/WE
  October 24, 2010 - Downeast Cyclo-cross Day 2, New Gloucester, MA (C2) ME/WE
  October 30, 2010 - Boulder Cup C2 Cyclo-cross (NACT), Boulder, Colorado (C2) ME/MJ/WE
  October 31, 2010 - Boulder Cup C1 Cyclo-cross (NACT), Boulder, Colorado (C1) ME/MJ/WE
  October 30, 2010 - Beacon Cross, Bridgeton, NJ (C2) ME/WE
  October 31, 2010 - HPCX, Jamesburg, New Jersey (C2) ME/WE
  November 6, 2010 - The Cycle-Smart International 1, Northampton, Massachusetts (C2) ME/WE
  November 7, 2010 - The Cycle-Smart International 2, Northampton, Massachusetts (C2) ME/WE
  November 6, 2010 - Canadian National Championships, Toronto, Ontario CAN (CN) ME/MU/MJ/WE
  November 6, 2010 - Dam Cross Weekend - Los Angeles Day 1, Los Angeles (C2) ME/WE
  November 7, 2010 - Dam Cross Weekend - Los Angeles Day 2, Los Angeles (C2) ME/WE
  November 13, 2010 - USGP of Cyclo-cross Mercer Cup, Fort Collins (C2) ME/MJ/WE
  November 14, 2010 - USGP of Cyclo-cross Mercer Cup, Fort Collins (C2) ME/MJ/WE
  November 17, 2010 - Empire State CX, New York (C2) ME/WE
  November 20, 2010 - Super Cross Cup 1, Southampton, NY (C2) ME/WE
  November 21, 2010 - Super Cross Cup 2, Southampton, NY (C2) ME/WE
  November 20, 2010 - North Carolina Grand Prix - Race 1, Hendersonville, NC (C2) ME/WE
  November 21, 2010 - North Carolina Grand Prix - Race 2, Hendersonville, NC (C2) ME/WE
  November 26, 2010 - Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Rock presented by Scheels - Rock 1, Iowa City, Iowa (C2) ME/WE
  November 27, 2010 - Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Rock presented by Scheels - Rock 2, Iowa City, Iowa (C2) ME/WE
  November 28, 2010 - Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Rock presented by Scheels - Rock 3, Iowa City, Iowa (C1) ME/WE
  November 27, 2010 - Baystate Cyclo-cross, Sterling, MA (C2) ME/WE
  November 28, 2010 - Baystate Cyclo-cross, Sterling, MA (C2) ME/WE
  December 4, 2010 - USGP of Cyclo-cross Portland Cup, Portland, OR (C1) ME/MJ/WE
  December 5, 2010 - USGP of Cyclo-cross Portland Cup, Portland, OR (C2) ME/MJ/WE
  December 4, 2010 - NBX GP 1, Warwick, RI (C2) ME/WE
  December 5, 2010 - NBX GP 2, Warwick, RI (C2) ME/WE
  December 8-12, 2010 - USA Cycling National Cyclo-cross Championships, Bend (CN) ME/MU/MJ/WE
  January 15, 2011 - Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup, Kingsport, Tennessee (C2) ME/WE

  2010 Champion Systems Mid Atlantic Cyclo-cross (MAC) series races

  September 11 - Nittany Lion Cyclocross (UCI); Trexlertown, PA
  September 18 - Charm City Cyclocross Day 1 (UCI); Baltimore, MD
  September 19 - Charm City Cyclocross Day 2 (UCI); Baltimore, MD
  September 26 Whirlybird Cyclocross (USAC); Bryn Athyn, PA
  October 16 - Cyclocross at Granogue Day 1 (UCI); Wilmington, DE
  October 17 - Cyclocross at Granogue Day 2 (UCI); Wilmington, DE
  October 30 - Beacon Cyclocross (UCI); Bridgeton, NJ
  October 31 - HPCX (UCI); Jamesburg, NJ
  November 6 - Wayne Scott Memorial Xross (USAC); Fair Hill Natural Resources Area, MD
  November 20 - Super Cross Cup Day 1 (UCI); Southampton, NY
  November 21 - Super Cross Cup Day 2 (UCI); Southampton, NY

  For more information visit http://www.midatlanticcross.com

  Zipp OVCX Cyclocross Tour presented by Papa John's

  September 19 - Kings CX; Cincinnati, Ohio
  October 3 - Tour de Louisville; Louisville, Kentucky
  October 8 - Cincinnati UCI3 - Devou Park UCI C2; Covington, Kentucky
  October 9 - Cincinnati UCI3 - Middletown UCI C2; Cincinnati, Ohio
  October 10 - Cincinnati UCI3 - Harbin Park UCI C1; Cincinnati, Ohio
  October 17 - Bloomingcross; Bloomington, Indiana
  October 23 - Derby City Cup USGP - UCI C1; Louisville, Kentucky
  October 24 - Derby City Cup USGP - UCI C2; Louisville, Kentucky
  October 31 - Eva Bandman STG; Louisville, Kentucky
  November 7 - Gun Club Cross; Cincinnati, Ohio
  November 14 - Infirmary Mound; Columbus, Ohio
  November 21 - Promotion Cross; Lexington, Kentucky
  November 28 - John Bryan State Park Ohio State Champs; Yellow Springs, Ohio
  December 4 - Ft Harrison; Indianapolis, Indiana
  December 5 - OVCX Finale - Brookside Cross Cup; Indianapolis, Indiana

  For more information visit http://ovcx.com

  MABRAcross
  
  September 26- Ed Sander Memorial Cyclocross (NCVC)
  October 2- Breast Cancer Awareness Cyclocross Challenge (Antietam Velo Club)
  October 3 - Winchester Apple Harvest Cross (Winchester Wheelmen)
  October 10 - Hyattsville CX (Route1Velo)
  October 24 - DCCX (DCMTB)
  October 30 - All Hallows Cross (Patuxent Velo)
  November 7 - Tacchino Ciclocross (Squadra Coppi)
  November 14 - UrbanCross at Ix
  November 20 - HoCo2xCx: Schooley Mill Cross (Team BBC and Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV)
  November 21 - HoCo2xCx: Rockburn Cross (Adventures For The Cure)
  November 28 - Turkey Chase/MABRAcross Championships (T.E.A.M. Fuji)

  For more information visit http://www.mabra.org

  Verge NECCC

  September 18 - 19: Green Mountain Cyclo-Cross Weekend, Williston, VT
  October 23 - 24: Downeast Cyclocross, New Gloucester, ME
  November 6 - 7L Cycle-Smart International, Northampton, MA
  November 27 - 28: Bay State Cyclocross, Sterling, MA
  December 4 - 5: NBX Grand Prix, Warwick, RI

  For more information visit http://www.cycle-smart.com/events/neccs

  Georgia Cross

  October 2 - The Rock Ranch, Barnesville
  October 10 - Olmsted Park, Augusta
  October 17 - Monteluce Winery, Dahlonega
  October 23 - Oglethorpe Speedway Park, Savannah
  October 24 - Oglethorpe Speedway Park, Savannah
  October 31 - Life College, Marietta
  November 7 - Paulding Meadows Park, Dallas
  November 14 - Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn
  November 21 - Fort Yargo State Park, Winder
  November 28 - Serenbe Inn and Community, Palmetto
  December 05 - Elks-Aidemore Children's Center, Conyers

  For more information visit http://www.georgia-cross.com

• Cross Vegas could move to February in 2012

  

  Article published:

  September 14, 2010, 21:59

  By:

  Kirsten Frattini

  Season opener is likely to be the grand finale

  Organizers of CrossVegas will likely move the marquee cyclo-cross event from its traditional September spot on the UCI calendar to a later spot in February of 2012. Discussion regarding the date change began when the industry trade show Interbike announced it would move from its current Las Vegas, Nevada venue and late September calendar position to Anaheim, California and an August 1time slot for 2011.

  "If CrossVegas does move to that slot [in February], it opens up opportunities for winter getaways for most of us who live in colder climates," said event promoter Brook Watts. "There are fantastic flight and hotel packages at that time, so it might be a great opportunity for 'cross fans who have not been able to see the race in September to take part in the spectacle. At that time of year, with milder temperatures, CrossVegas could become a mid-day event and through live TV reach the "prime time" audience in Europe.

  "We are talking with various parties in the US and internationally about an end of the international season blow out in Las Vegas that combines social aspects with a race on the CrossVegas course," he said. "I compare CrossVegas to the ProBowl of NFL football that took place after the Superbowl and was largely a made-for-TV event with season-ending social activities for athletes and spouses or partners."

  In its fourth anniversary, CrossVegas has traditionally kicked off Interbike in mid-September. It is highlighted as one of the most attractive cyclo-cross events on the North American calendar often hosting many of the European professionals. Some speculate that the event might lose some of its fan base if it is not held in conjunction with industry trade show, however, Watts believes otherwise.

  "I think if a move like this does take place, it simply changes the tone of the race," Watts said. "We've seen the spectators at CrossVegas grow from a largely "Interbike-centric" crowd to a great balance of Interbike attendees and cycling fans from Las Vegas and the southwest US. We already have non-Interbike attendees from around the country traveling to vacation, and even honeymoon in one example this year, so I think that will grow. European travelers love to visit Las Vegas, especially to escape the cold European winters, so that opens yet another opportunity for spectators."

  Watts noted that if CrossVegas becomes a late-season event, it will be a great way to end the cyclo-cross calendar for both Europeans and North Americans. However, he is not sure if it will maintain a UCI C1 level sanctioning at this time.

  "Obviously, a February race that is an end of season event takes a completely different tone, it becomes a showcase for the new World Champion and the national champions in their jerseys," Watts said. "It provides entertainment opportunities and gala presentations and banquets done 'Vegas-style' like the sport has never quite seen. We've seen that globalization of 'cross is becoming a reality so it's natural that the US should take part in the late season of 'cross. For those reasons, I think it could become very successful.

  "It will still attract Europeans, but for different reasons than the pre-season role that CrossVegas has taken to date," he said. "For example, there is a flourishing late-February road racing scene in Las Vegas that looks to expand. This provides opportunities for some road racers, especially domestic riders, to 'double dip' with CrossVegas."

  Although CrossVegas will stay in Las Vegas, Watts noted that his organization is actively speaking with Interbike regarding the possibility of creating another cyclo-cross event at the new Anaheim location held in early August. However, it is unlikely that a new event will be UCI-sanctioned that early in the season.

  "We're very pleased with the excitement and entertainment that CrossVegas has added to the show experience, they're a great team of people and are fun to deal with," Watts said. "We think that a 'cross race that provides opportunities to showcase new products and perhaps most importantly, allows bicycle industry members to compete for bragging rights in the Wheelers & Dealers race, has to be a part of every Interbike regardless of the date. Look at that industry race and how it maxed out registration in 30 minutes. The field will be around 150 riders this year. I call that incredible demand, and I think the date is secondary to that audience.

  "Is a UCI Elite race possible at that date? Perhaps no," he said. "We'll have to see, but certainly we could fill an evening with multiple Wheelers & Dealers races and other categorized races. Clearly we have lots to do as soon as the curtain drops on this year's Interbike and CrossVegas."

• Cyclo-cross rider Berden suffers hit-and-run accident in training

  

  Article published:

  September 15, 2010, 20:22

  By:

  Cycling News

  First race questionable due to concussion

  Belgian cyclo-cross racer Ben Berden is questionable for the cyclo-cross race in Erpe-Mere, Belgium, this weekend after having been hit by a car while training. He suffered a concussion which may keep him out of his first race of the season.

  The 34-year-old was out training Tuesday morning when suddenly a car appeared out of nowhere “and knocked my socks off. The person behind the wheel didn't stop, though. He kept on driving,” Berden told the Gazet van Antwerpen.

  “I came down heavily on my knee and head. Meanwhile I know I have a concussion,” said the Qin Cycling team rider.

  “I hope that I won't have to miss racing this weekend, since it is the start of the professional 'cross season,” he said. “I have a good summer behind me that I hoped to show.”

• Stybar ready for new European cyclo-cross season

  

  Article published:

  September 16, 2010, 17:29

  By:

  Stephen Farrand

  Czech world champion leads the Telenet-Fidea team

  It may still be sunny and warm at the Vuelta a España, and the European road race season does not end for another month, but the European cyclo-cross season begins this weekend with the Steenbergcross race in Erpe Mere.

  On Thursday the Telenet-Fideas team held its official presentation at the new headquarters of bike sponsor Ridley in Belgium and again hopes to dominate the off-road season with world champion Zdenek Stybar, veteran Bart Wellens and emerging talents Kevin Pauwels and Tom Meeusen.

  Stybar won the world title at home in the Czech Republic at the end of January and dominated the World Cup and Superprestige series. He and the rest of the Telenet-Fidea team has been training at altitude in St. Moritz and road racing in the Tour of Slovakia, but are now ready to get their tyres dirty and kick off the season.

  Stybar wore a subtly rainbow striped-tie during the team presentation but claimed he does not feel under pressure to repeat his amazingly successful season.

  "The rainbow always brings some pressure with it, but I'm expecting that and I'm trying to use it to give myself extra motivation this season to win," he told Cyclingnews.

  "The goals have been set very high after last year. I don’t want a worse season than last year but it will be almost impossible, so I will try to do as well as I can. I want to honour the rainbow jersey."

  "I'm going to try and be up there at the start of the season but I don’t want to be in absolutely top shape just yet. Despite what everybody thinks, the cyclo-cross season last six months and if you are too good in the beginning now, you won’t have the power in January and February when it really matters."

  "I think we've got a good basic condition now we'll work on our competition rhythm in the early races. Training in St. Moritz and then racing in Slovakia was good."

  Stybar will be 25 in December and is leading a new generation of 'cross riders that includes teammates Pauwels and Meeusen. However he expects veteran team captain and two-time world champion Bart Wellens to also be back to his best, as the Telenet-Fidea team tries to dominate the highly competitive Belgian cyclo-cross scene.

  "Last year we lost Bart Wellens due to illness but I think he's going to be back and have a great season this year. We've got a good team. It's not always important to have teammates to help you in races but some times it plays a role. It's also important to know they are there, watching your back."

  The Telenet-Fidea team for 2010:

  Bart Wellens, Zdenek Stybar, Tom Meeusen, Kevin Pauwels, Robert Gavenda, Vincent Baestaens, Corne Van Kessel, Petr Dlask, Rob Peeters, Micki Van Empel, Arnaud Grand, Wouter Van Mechelen and Karel Hnik.

• Nys knows the challengers this winter

  

  Article published:

  September 18, 2010, 02:22

  By:

  Cycling News

  Belgian 'cross legend states season's aims

  With the new cyclocross season looming, one of the discipline's champions, Belgian master Sven Nys, has made it clear he's up for any challenge this winter as the young guns of the sport look to dethrone the man many fans consider the king of 'cross.

  "My duels against [Zdenek] Stybar and [Niels] Albert are my new challenge," Nys said in a press statement ahead of the season start. "In previous years it was big news when I didn't win; now it's big news when I can beat those two. My ambition to be the best is still there."

  Over the last two seasons the aforementioned pair of 24-year-olds has encroached on the territory hitherto occupied by Nys as the dominant force in 'cross; Albert won the 2009 world championship and earlier this year took second overall in both the World Cup and Superprestige series.

  Rising Czech star Stybar won the World Cup series and world championship race on home turf in Tábor earlier this year and there's every chance he'll continue on his winning ways after some strong performances on the road at the Tour of Slovakia last month that included a win in the prologue.

  But Nys is a seasoned campaigner and knows that aside from these two, the ranks of the young contenders is not deep; therefore he's not ruling himself out as a winner in 2010/11 - far from it, in fact. He's backing himself for both the World Cup and Superprestige series.

  "I can't see any new names at the same level," he said. "Well, I know that Tom Meeusen will be getting closer to the top level; and I also know that [Kevin] Pauwels, [Klaas] Vantornout, [Sven] Vanthourenhout and [Bart] Wellens will win the occasional race, but they won't dominate a whole season," said Nys.

  "Trying to win each classification suits my ambition, continued the 34-year-old. "I know better than anyone else that there are two guys that are very hard to beat if they are going well [Stybar and Albert]. But last year, I was still up alongside those two and I would like to keep it that way.

  "I expect a heavy season - summer is over and it has been raining a lot, which is different to last year. We almost got an entire season of fast cyclocross last year; it's different now and that is not to my disadvantage," he added.

• Johnson steps away from pro road racing

  

  Article published:

  September 18, 2010, 02:57

  By:

  Kirsten Frattini

  US champ turns attention to 'cross Worlds in 2013

  Tim Johnson will not renew his professional road contract with UnitedHealthcare p/b Maxxis team and will step away from professional road racing after a decade-long career. The US National Cyclo-cross Champion intends to use the next three years to prepare for a podium performance at the UCI World Cyclo-cross Championships scheduled to take place in Louisville, Kentucky in 2013.

  "I'm going to be focusing on 'cross and I'm taking what we do with our Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team and expanding our schedule this year," Johnson told Cyclingnews. "I won't be racing on the road with UnitedHealthcare next year. I had an offer but after weighing it with so many new opportunities with 'cross, the timing of how things are going towards Worlds and with agreed support of my sponsors, both current and future, I can actually pull it off.

  "Personally and for the team, I want us to raise our game in the next three years," Johnson continued. "In the US, Jonathan Page forged a path that was impressive. Now that the sport has grown in the US so much. I want to be able to go top three in the Worlds in three years and to do that I need to focus more on cyclo-cross. I think it is possible and something that I really want to do."

  Johnson was the captain of UnitedHealthcare and played an integral part of the squad's development during the previous five years with Momentum Sports Group, LLC's former teams HealthNet 2006-08 and OUCH in 2009. During the opposing Fall-Winter season, he competes in a full-time cyclo-cross calendar with Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com.

  "I've always been so conflicted spending my spring and summer racing on the road and then switching over to cross," Johnson said. "Now I will be able to represent my cyclo-cross sponsors and the sport for the whole year around. It is exciting but it was a tough thing to make that final decision because I've been a professional road racer for ten years and that's been a big part of who I am."

  In February, the UCI announced that the cyclo-cross world championships will be held for the first time in the US in Louisville, Kentucky in 2013. Johnson's decision to compete exclusively in cyclo-cross was accelerated by UnitedHealthcare's recent plan to upgrade from its current Continental license to Professional Continental next year.

  "At the very beginning of the year there is the Tour of San Luis in January for UnitedHealthcare," said Johnson. "That is the same weekend as one of the 'cross world cups in January. That right there made me a burden on them because I would have to say that I needed to stay in Europe for 'cross.

  "Over the year's with HealthNet, OUCH and UnitedHealthcare, they were always really good with me. I was always able to do both because it was possible or because the team was really nice. Now that they are going Pro Continental it is a different story. There is more responsibility, the calendar will be longer and the races will be harder.

  "I'm not 23 years old and itching to race on the road in Europe," he added. "What I can do here in 'cross overshadows that. It wasn't an easy decision to make but the timing was good for me, for UnitedHealthcare and for 'cross. I think all around it was one of those things that happens for a reason and I'm ready to go forward with 'cross."

  Johnson said that he is not completely finished with road racing and will continue to jump into select stage races during the summer months that will better prepare him for the cyclo-cross season. In 2011, he plans to enter events such as the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, Cascade Cycling Classic and Green Mountain Stage Race in Cannondale colours.

  "I'm not completely retiring, I'm just not racing as much on the road," Johnson explained. "Next year I will compete in a reduced road schedule and events that are fun for me that I always had to say no to. I will have enough racing that I need to get in shape for 'cross. Cannondale has committed to the cyclo-cross season and the months in between."

  Johnson competed in his last road race under the UnitedHealthcare banner at the Univest Grand Prix Criterium in Pennsylvania last weekend. He won the best sprinter competition and played a crucial role in helping his teammate Karl Menzies finish second.

  "I wasn't really going for it but I was always at the front during the sprint laps," Johnson said. "The guys took me out for a beer at the airport afterwards to celebrate. I'd also like to think it is because I won't be back next year."

  Johnson is a three-time national champion and was the first American to stand on the podium at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships podium capturing a bronze medal in the Under 23 event in 1999.

• Cyclo-cross Trophy series kicks off at StarCrossed

  

  Article published:

  September 18, 2010, 22:08

  By:

  Kirsten Frattini

  Best six or eight rounds will determine NACT champions

  The third edition of the North American Cyclocross Trophy (NACT) series will kick off with the first two rounds at StarCrossed and Rad Racing this weekend in Seattle, Washington.

  The overall contenders will compete in eight UCI-sanctioned races, but new rules for the 2010 season will see riders top six placings tallied toward the overall series standings and a chance to wear the championship heavyweight belt.

  "The goal from the beginning has been to link the classic ‘cross races in North America, I think we've done that with great races from coast to coast," said NACT Director Brook Watts. "As some newer races have begun to attain that status over the last few years we may need to add new markets and venues, especially if we see a post-Christmas ‘cross fever take hold in the US.

  "We're interested in a slow, gradual growth that maintains a high level of integrity. The NACT trophy will retain the distinctive heavyweight belts, they've become an iconic image of the NACT final podium."

  The changes to the rules were made to help riders buffer themselves from bad weekends and to award the most consistent finisher.

  "We want each race to benefit from the best field of competitors possible, especially for the spectators sake." Watts said. "Everyone has an off day or weekend because of whether and illness, injury or a mechanical so we felt the fields may have suffered from riders who couldn't attend every weekend. This may have been the case in the women's field in particular. By giving everyone an option to drop the worst performances you don't penalize them for that off day or the ill-timed mechanical."

  Last year’s series winners were Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) and Natasha Elliott (Garneau Club Chaussure Ogilvy) who will both return to defend their respective titles.

  The NACT series will also offer equal prize money across the elite women and men’s categories. "The series overall prize list was boosted slightly, but more importantly it was made the same for men and women, a long overdue move," Watts said.

  Strong contenders on the women’s side include Katie Compton (Planet Bike), Georgia Gould, Katerina Nash, Alison Dunlap and Amy Dombroski (Team Luna), Wendy Simms (KONA-FSA), Kelly Emmett (Giant), Maureen Bruno Roy (MM Racing p/b Seven Cycles), Sue Butler (Hudz-Subaru), Laura van Gilder (C3-Solay) and Meredith Miller (Cal Giant), among others.

  "I think having equal prize money is great," Dombroski said. "I’m an advocate for equal race money between men a women but I think everyone is at this point."

  Series contenders on the men’s side include Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks (KONA-FSA), Chris Jones (Rapha-Focus), Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com), Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) and Christian Huele (SUI/Rendementhypo Cycling Team), Davide Frattini (Hudz-Subaru), Andy Jacques-Maynes (Bissell), Jesse Anthony (Cal Giant), Geoff Kabush (Rocky Mountain-Maxxis), among others.

  "The early events certainly benefit from the European talent that hits the US during the first few weeks of the season," Watts said. "Of course we recognize that it's difficult to attract the top riders once the various series start in Europe.

  "I think the unexplored area for US races that fall in the middle of the European season, that period when the top riders simply cannot travel over, is how to get Under 23 or development racers over here to test themselves against our homegrown talent and to learn how to adapt to the rigors of travel in advance of the 2013 Worlds in Louisville, Kentucky. We've talked with teams who recognize that this is a something to look toward."

  The NACT begins on the west coast at the StarCrossed p/b Stanley/PMI on Saturday, September 18 in Seattle, Washington. The UCI C2 level event is held after sundown in the King County’s Marymoor Park Velodrome. Last year Swiss Champion, Christian Heule and British Champion Helen Wyman won their respective categories.

  "I like StarCrossed because there's always a good atmosphere and it's fun to race at night for a change," said Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) who will start his American ‘cross season at the StarCrossed and Rad Racing weekend.

  Round two, the UCI C2 Rad Racing Grand Prix p/b Hammer Nutrition will take place the following day on a brand new course located at Lake Sammamish Park in Issaquah, just outside of Seattle.

  One of the most significant changes to the course is its lengthy sandy beach run, that replaced the steep hillside run up that was a part of the old circuit. Jonathan Page and Sue Butler won the men’s and women’s events respectively.

  The series moves to the east coast for rounds three and four at the Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester p/b Addison Gilbert Hospital held at the Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Massachusetts on October 2 and 3. The double UCI C2 races have a history in attracting some of New England’s finest cross specialists.

  Jonathan Page and Natasha Elliott won their respective events in the Gran Prix of Gloucester’s first round. The following day Elliot repeated her win in the women’s race and Johnson topped the podium in the men’s race.

  The racing continues at the popular Colorado Cross Classic held at the Boulder Reservoir on October 30. The UCI C2 event is a sharp contrast to the mud and grime of New England 'cross and instead provides participants with a traditionally fast course held on undulating sand and gravel terrain.

  Round six will take place at the Victory Circle Graphix Boulder Cup held in Broomfield, Colorado on October 31. The UCI C1 event has found a new home at Flatirons Crossing, a stadium that provides a 360 degree view perfect for the spectators to enjoy the bike race. Johnson and Compton won the back-to-back events in Boulder last year.

  "I really like the Boulder Cup since it's relatively close to home in Colorado," said former national champion Todd Wells (Specialized). "The crowds are huge and full of current and former cycling legends. The course is fast and there is usually quite a big group racing since the weather is usually great and course in perfect condition."

  The series will conclude rounds seven and eight, a pair of UCI C2 events at the Whitmore’s Landscaping Super Cross Cup held on November 20 and 21 in Southampton Youth Services Park, New York. The top riders will continue to race in the final battle for points where the winners of the traditional heavyweight trophy belt will emerge. Amy Dombroski and Tim Johnson closed the NACT series with double victories last year.