CINCINNATI, OHIO—Cyclocross bicycle racing returns to two venues near Cincinnati on Oct. 29-30, bringing new international-level competitions. The Cincinnati Cyclocross weekend expects more than 1,400 amateur and Elite cyclists to contend with mud, dirt, gravel, sand, grass and a series of obstacles in 54 categorized races.
On Saturday, the Pan American Championships return to Devou Park in Covington, Ky., held there the past two years.
Devou park offers plenty of technical challenges for amateurs and pros alike. photo: courtesy
On Sunday, Kingswood Park in Mason, Ohio will host the Kings CX event for an eighth year, and sixth year sanctioned by the UCI, the international governing body of cycling. Kings CX spotlights Elite Women’s and Men’s races on the USA Cycling Professional Cyclocross Calendar (Pro CX), sponsored by Toyota.
In years past, Kings CX put on the best night show in town with its iconic, cant-miss lit barriers. photo: courtesy
“The weekend is super exciting, whether you are an athlete or a spectator,” said Julie Herrmann, assistant race director for Cincinnati Cyclocross. “For the pros, we have more UCI points on the line than any other event in the country. If you are an amateur racer, you get to come out and ride on the best courses that challenge the top pros. For spectators, you can’t beat free admission, free parking, live announcers and great racing.”
The Cincy Cyclocross weekend is sanctioned by USA Cycling and the UCI. It is one of eight events across the U.S. that offers Category 1 races for Elite women and men on USA Cycling’s Pro CX calendar for 2016-17. It is also only one of three events in the country that offers a UCI-sanctioned race for Junior men, ages 17-18.
“If you are an amateur racer, you get to come out and ride on the best courses that challenge the top pros. For spectators, you can’t beat free admission, free parking, live announcers and great racing” -Herrmann
2016 Cincinnati Cyclocross Event Schedule:
Friday, Oct. 28 – multiple venues
12 – 3 p.m. Kings Course Preride powered by Toyota in Mason, Ohio
4 – 7 p.m. Devou Course Preride powered by Toyota in Covington, Ky.
5 – 7 p.m. Welcome to Covington Party at Berhinger-Crawford Museum
Saturday, Oct. 29 – Devou Park, Covington, Ky.
Location: Devou Park, 1049 Montague Road in Covington, Ky., 41011
8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Races for juniors, masters and amateur women/men (23 categories)
12:50 – 6:10 p.m. UCI Pan American Championship races (5 categories)
Sunday, Oct. 30 – Kingswood Park, Mason, Ohio
Location: Kingswood Park, 4188 Irwin Simpson Road in Mason, Ohio, 45044
9 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Kings CX races for juniors, masters and amateur women/men (23 categories)
2:50 – 3:30 p.m. UCI Elite Juniors, 17-18 boys
4 – 4:45 p.m. UCI Elite Women (Pro CX)
5:15 – 6:15 p.m. UCI Elite Men (Pro CX)
Top Talent, National Champions Head to Cincy
Expected to return to Cincinnati and defend Elite titles include 12-time women’s U.S. National Cyclocross champion Katie Compton of Wilmington, Del. and four-time U.S. National Cyclocross champion Jeremy Powers of Easthampton, Mass. They both swept the Kings CX and the Pan Am Championships last year.
Powers, Hyde and Driscoll put on a show last year, and fans should expect the same competitive racing in 2016.
Mason, Ohio-native Spencer Petrov, who won the Men’s 17-18 Pan Am Championship last year, looks to compete in the Under-23 category this year. He is the third-ranked U23 rider in the country as an 18 year old.
New participants can think of cyclocross as steeplechase on a bicycle, held on spectator-friendly, serpentine courses that wind two miles through each park. All Cincinnati Cyclocross events are free for spectators, and are held rain or shine. Family oriented activities for all ages and food trucks will be available at both venues, with Saturday at Devou Park and Sunday at Kingswood Park.
Kaitie Antonneau has a history of success at the Pan American Cyclocross Championships. photo: courtesy
Advance registration fees for racers range from $10 for juniors to $50 for elite women and men. Online registration can be found at www.bikereg.com/cincycx, and closes on Oct. 26 at 10 p.m. ET. On-site registration will be available (excluding UCI categories) for an additional $10.
Fans, riders, and sponsors can learn more about the race, location, and venue at cincinnaticyclocross.com. Follow the race on Facebook (CincyCX) and on Twitter (@Cincy3CX). Follow the Pro Cyclocross Calendar on Twitter @ProCX.
About Cincinnati Cyclocross
Cincinnati Cyclocross is a 501(c)3 dedicated to junior cyclocross and junior racing. Founded in 2012, our mission is to support juniors in the Cincinnati area and help them with access to the life-long sport of cycling. We support getting new kids to become more familiar with riding their existing bike through kids on bikes and help juniors develop into high level racers at a regional and national levels to compete for national titles. If it has to do with getting kids onto bikes, we want to support it. Get more information at CincinnatiCyclocross.com.
The Luna team has been a force to reckon with in Cincinnati, but even at the pro level, it’s about having a good time. © Dave McElwaine
