US riders must petitions for Worlds by December 10

USA Cycling has announced that the deadline for elite women, U23 men and junior men to submit petitions for consideration as a discretionary nomination for the 2008 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships team is Monday, December 10.

The only automatic nominations to the team for elite women, U23 and junior men come from: 1) Medal winners from the 2007 Cyclo-cross World Championships still racing in that category (Katie Compton); 2) Any rider finishing top five in a 2007-08 World Cup (Katie Compton), 3) The winner of the USA Nationals (to be determined); 4) The winner of the USGP series (Georgia Gould, Jamey Driscoll, Luke Keough).

A total of five spots in each category are to be filled by automatic and discretionary nominations. USA cycling will fund only one position for the Worlds team for elite women and U23 men, while two juniors will receive funding. Other riders must pay $1500 in travel costs.

Unlike past years, the deadline to submit petitions to USA Cycling falls before the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships, scheduled this year for Dec. 13-16 in Kansas City, Kansas.

Elite men who wish to be considered will have until January 4 to submit their petitions.

The discretionary nominations for the elite women, U23 men and junior men will be announced following the National Championships on December 18.

The 2008 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are scheduled for Jan. 26-27 in Treviso, Italy.