Preview: US Gran Prix of Cyclocross Continues at Fort Collins – Will Powers and Compton continue their reign?

This weekend, the TREK USGP of Cyclocross lands in Fort Collins, Colorado, for round two of the series with the SmartWool Cup, presented by FC Bikes. With precious UCI points on the line, look for all the top racers to be placing their tires on the start line.

USGP Sun Prairie day one winner Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) will be attending, looking to expand his near 20-point lead over Timothy Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) now that Lukas Fluckiger (TREK), who after last week had been tied with Powers, has returned to Europe. Per usual, both racers will be bringing a host of teammates, a few of whom justly have their eyes on the top podium, as well: Ryan Trebon (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com), who bested Powers on day two of the Gran Prix of Gloucester; and Zach McDonald (Rapha-Focus), who rode away from the field on day two of the Providence Cyclocross Festival.

Hoping to take some thunder out of the two biggest teams in the country are the familiar names of Ben Berden and Allen Krughoff of Raleigh Clement, Olympian Geoff Kabush (Scott/3Rox Racing) and Adam Craig (Giant).

In the women’s field, long-reigning national champion Katie Compton will hope to continue the two-day dominance she began at Sun Prairie. Hoping to usurp the throne, however, will be Katerina Nash (Luna), back for her first cyclocross race of the season, as well as Nash’s teammates, Georgia Gould and Teal Stetson-Lee. Nicole Duke and Caroline Mani (both Raleigh-Clement), Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld), and Gabby Day and Julie Krasniak of Rapha-Focus are all also scheduled to be in attendance.

Check back in for a full report, results, and photos of the USGP of Cyclocross, Fort Collins!