USGP 'cross weekend one for the mudders

The second weekend of the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross in Louisville, Kentucky is looking to be quite a different scenario than the first rounds in Wisconsin. Rains have soaked the region, and although the sun should come out for the races this weekend, the wet ground at Champions' Park should turn to mud as the racing progresses.

Series leader Erwin Vervecken, the three-time world champion, will not contest the remaining events, having returned to his native Belgium. That leaves the fight for the overall to Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com's Jeremy Powers, who sits in second just three points ahead of US champion Ryan Trebon (Kona).

Defending USGP Champion Tim Johnson and teamamte Jamie Driscoll will back up Powers on the Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com squad, while Trebon will have Barry Wicks at his side. Newly crowned Canadian National Champion Geoff Kabush and Andy Jacques-Maynes may also surprise in the stacked men's field.

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The pro women's fields are just as strong, with the powerhouse LUNA squad bringing defending 'USGP Champion Katerina Nash and her teammates Georgie Gould and the newly un-retired former Mountain Bike World Champion Alison Dunlap. Canadian National Champion Alyson Sydor, Amy Dombroski, Sue Butler, Laura Van Gilder, Kelli Emmet, and Meredith Miller round out the field.

Racing begins on Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 with the amateur categories and builds throughout the day until the Pro Women take to the course at 1:45pm. The Pro Men race begins at 3:00pm.

The 2009 USGP will move next to the Mercer Cup presented by Knapp's Cyclery in Mercer County, NJ on November 14 and 15 before returning to Portland, Oregon for the for the traditional series finale The Stanley Portland Cup on December 5 and 6 - just one week before the US National Cyclocross Championships in Bend, OR.

For more information on the USGP, visit www.usgpcyclocross.com or contact Joan Hanscom at info@usgpcyclocross.com.