Say it isn’t so. The descendant race from the first UCI Cyclocross World Cup in the U.S. will not happen in 2019.
RenoCross, formerly CrossVegas, is canceled for this season. The famous Wednesday night race held in conjunction with Interbike has suffered from the cancellation of Interbike and the unsuccessful hunt for a title sponsor.
The nighttime party in the sand won’t return in 2019. photo: Ortenblad led Driscoll through the sand. 2018 RenoCross men’s race. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
We spoke with promoter Coby Rowe late in 2018 about the future of RenoCross and UCI rule changes, among other topics. With an impressive international field in 2018, RenoCross was slated to be one of the few UCI C1 races on the calendar this year, and Rowe intended to keep that going. “…the intent is to have an event in Reno next year….It would be great to keep a C1 on the West Coast,” Rowe said last year.
Canadian Maghalie Rochette took the C1 win at the 2018 Reno Cross women’s race. © J. Silva / Cyclocross Magazine
Rowe admitted that “promoting the race during the Interbike trade show has a lot of advantages that allow you to make a great event” but continued to search for a sponsor to help him host a two-day weekend.
Might the event return in future years? Never say never. If a title sponsor emerges or Interbike returns to Reno, the future of the night race may shine bright again.
Full press release below.
RENO, Nev.—Officials with RenoCross announced today that America’s biggest Cyclocross race, previously held in September in conjunction with the Interbike tradeshow, has been canceled.
Despite the event’s previous success in Las Vegas and the inaugural race at Rancho San Rafael County Park in Reno, NV in 2018, the popular race has been canceled due to the fact that the Interbike Show will not be taking place in 2019 and the future of the event remains uncertain.
Race Director Coby Rowe said, “Cyclocross and gravel remain the fastest growing sport in cycling and while spectators and participants alike embraced northern Nevada as host to this fantastic event, this particular race was created to work in tandem with the Interbike tradeshow.
Coby Rowe and his Reno Cyclocross team took over CrossVegas to form RenoCross in 2018. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
While efforts were made to continue with the race in 2019, it became clear that the quality of the race would be compromised without the incredible supporters and sponsors that typically would be in town participating in the show and our race.” He added, “We are tremendously grateful to the cyclists, sponsors and spectators that helped make this race one of the most popular in the U.S.”
“While efforts were made to continue with the race in 2019, it became clear that the quality of the race would be compromised without the incredible supporters and sponsors that typically would be in town participating in the show and our race.” -Coby Rowe
In 2018, competition took place in conjunction with the Interbike tradeshow. Following a successful Cyclocross Nationals that took place in January 2018 in Reno, cyclists and spectators alike enthusiastically embraced RenoCross’ new home. The event was previously held in Las Vegas as CrossVegas for 11 years and was a fixture on the international cyclocross calendar. The race was the first ever U.S. race selected for the UCI World Cup series.
