Swiss U23 rider Valentin Scherz ruled the MAC in 2009 © Tom Olesnevich
It’s that time of year when cyclocross series start announcing their autumn programs. And, as usual, the well-organized MAC Cyclocross on America’s eastern seaboard is one of the first to publish a confirmed race schedule – a schedule that sees the biggest makeover in many years for the venerable organization.
The biggest news on the MAC tour this year is that two of the best-attended races in the east, Granogue and Charm City, have both added a second day of racing for this year’s editions. They join the season-ending Super Cross Cup in Long Island in offering a two-day UCI experience at a single venue. A full program with all MAC classes will compete both days at each of these events.
In other news from MAC, the Nittany Lion Cyclocross at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center (a.k.a. T-Town Velodrome) is the new season opener, taking over from Charm City to accommodate Charm City’s expansion to two days. Nittany Lion stands alone as the first UCI-sanctioned cyclocross race in the world this season. And, as the only UCI race anywhere until the following weekend, the winners of the UCI classes at T-Town will be guaranteed a World #1 ranking for at least a week.
MAC also welcomes another race this year as the rapidly-growing Whirlybird Cyclocross makes its MAC debut. Held on the beautiful grounds of Pennsylvania’s Bryn Athyn College, the race has proven it’s quality after several years as part of Pennsylvania’s PA Cyclocross Series and now moves up to the big leagues as MAC’s newest addition.
Returning this year is the traditional Halloween doubleheader weekend in New Jersey, featuring the HPCX in central New Jersey and the UCI Beacon Cyclocross and its “Amphitheater of Pain” in the southern part of the state. Also returning is another staple of the MAC schedule, the race at the fairgrounds of Maryland’s mountain bike Mecca known as Fair Hill.
Altogether, MAC 2010 will see eleven races at eight venues in five states. Eight of those races will be UCI sanctioned.
2010 MAC Cyclocross Series
September 11 Nittany Lion Cyclocross (UCI); Trexlertown, PA
September 18 Charm City Cyclocross Day 1 (UCI); Baltimore, MD
September 19 Charm City Cyclocross Day 2 (UCI); Baltimore, MD
September 26 Whirlybird Cyclocross (USAC); Bryn Athyn, PA
October 16 Cyclocross at Granogue Day 1 (UCI); Wilmington, DE
October 17 Cyclocross at Granogue Day 2 (UCI); Wilmington, DE
October 30 MAC New Jersey Weekend Day 1 — Beacon Cyclocross (UCI); Bridgeton, NJ
October 31 MAC New Jersey Weekend Day 2 — HPCX (USAC); Jamesburg, NJ
November 6 Wayne Scott Memorial Xross (USAC); Fair Hill Natural Resources Area, MD
November 20 Super Cross Cup Day 1 (UCI); Southampton, NY
November 21 Super Cross Cup Day 2 (UCI); Southampton, NY
For more information on the MAC, go to www.MidAtlanticCross.com.
