Unlike the Elite races, which look like they will be contested by many riders from around the world, the U23 and Junior races come with a few heavy favorites in each race. While snow is likely, our photographers set foot on the ground and captured shots of the Friday course, which includes loads of mud and ruts already covering the course.
Interestingly enough, the first two rows of the U23 and Junior races are not designated to the UCI ranking, but the overall World Cup standing, which is counter to what one finds in the Elite races. As Logan Owen told us earlier today by tweet, "If anything the World Cup points should only matter for the elites because of all the travel that the World Cup requires... Some of the younger juniors and U23's don't have the resources to make those expensive trips."
Junior Men's start list is here, U23 Men start list is here. Also, don’t miss our Elite Women and Elite Men’s Preview of Tabor.
The Americans:
Gage Hecht tripods before the Belgian blue to take fifth overall at Namur. © Bart Hazen/Cyclocross Magazine
U23 Riders:
Logan Owen and Curtis White will both be getting a second row call-up in the U23 race on Sunday morning. Owen hardly needs an introduction as the ten time National Champion in the United States. Last year, he was able to get a respectable top 15 at the World Championships in Hoogerheide, and will likely look to build on that this year, although his best result at a World Cup is 19th this season. His cyclocross season started in November, and his best result was certainly his win at Austin, knowing when to make it matter for the big races.
White enters on Sunday as the Pan-American U23 Champion. Adding to his win in Cincinnati is the three Elite Men’s wins he took between Baystate and NBX, both in New England.
These two will be joined by Drew Dillman, Tobin Ortenblad, Sam O’Keffe and Grant Ellwood.
Junior Riders:
The biggest name, and who the majority of you deem to be the biggest hope for a United States medal, is Gage Hecht. This year, Hecht hit new levels, representing America with a great performance both home and abroad. For an extensive look at some of his wins and a recap of his World Cup racing experience, be sure to check out our interview with him. In summary: Hecht is arriving at the start line second in the world by UCI rankings. Due to the World Cup points taking precedence in these young fields, he will have a fifth overall call-up. The biggest take away from all of this is his age. This will be Hecht’s first time as a Junior at Worlds. He still has another year and another chance to take home a Rainbow Jersey.
Gavin Haley, ninth ranked in the world, is another great rider for the United States. He struck his name at Milton Keynes, where he went on to take a big victory, spoiling a chance of a home win for the largely Junior British field. In Austin, he took the silver behind Hecht.
Plenty of the Junior Men from the United States have a chance at a great showing, with all of the riders placed near the top 50 in the world. Lance Haidet, Cameron Beard, Brannan Fix and Cooper Willsey will start behind Haley and Hecht.
