Ontario to host national cross champs and Aurora cross

The Canadian cyclocross national championships for 2005 will take place on November 5 at Hardwood Hills. The event, on a redesigned course, is open to Canadian citizens with valid UCI licenses that show a "CAN" in front of their license number. Riders in all championship categories must use cyclocross bicycles.

A Challenge category has been formed to accommodate U13, U15, U17 riders and male and female riders using mountain bikes or cross bikes (open to riders with Ontario citizen's permits). Single event permits will not be sold.

The Aurora Cross, held this year on November 6, is now in it's seventh season and has quickly become Canada's premier cyclocross race. Held at one of the best venues for racers and spectators in Canada, it's event number eight in the 11 race Southern Ontario Cross Series. It's one of the largest and longest running cross series in the country, and has become Canada's first UCI cross race. The race course is located in downtown Aurora Ontario, 45 minutes north of Toronto.

In 2004, the Aurora Cross was host to the Ontario provincial championships at the end of November, and saw the largest rider turnout in the country. This year's event is the day following the Canadian cyclocross championships, held just 35 minutes away at Hardwood Hills in Barrie Ontario. Together the Aurora Cross and the Canadian cyclocross championships make up the biggest weekend of cross racing in Canada.