Cyclocross relays are a fun, low-pressure way to kick off the season at the end of the summer.
Relays allow opponents the chance to team up for a weekend before they do battle the rest of the season. 2018 xXx Racing-Athletico Relay Cross, Chicago. © Robert Clark
Chicago's xXx Racing-Athletico team has dialed in the formula for a successful ’cross relay with the Relay Cross it has hosted in late summer every year since 2010. This year's Relay Cross took place last weekend at Warren Park on the city's North Side. 2018 was the first year at Warren Park after several years at Jackson Park located on the South Side near the University of Chicago.
The relay approach to cyclocross is relatively straightforward. The race starts with a Le-Mans-style start and then teams of two trade laps around a short course.
Each race started with a Le Mans start. 2018 xXx Racing-Athletico Relay Cross, Chicago. © Robert Clark
The exchanges are done with a WWE-style tag in the exchange zone. Perhaps not surprisingly, the rider exchanges can be pretty entertaining at times.
When you come in for the tag a little hot, part 2. 2018 xXx Racing-Athletico Relay Cross, Chicago. © Robert Clark
The categories for Relay Cross included your standard cyclocross fare, the always-popular CoEd Cross and a Blind Date Relay Roulette. The Relay Roulette was the best deal of the weekend, with the $5 entry fee donated to a Chicago cycling-related charity.
Results from the races are below. As they are every year, the team names from Relay Cross are good for a laugh.
Photographer Robert Clark pulled double duty on the weekend, racing in the Blind Date Cross and then snapping some photos of the other races. A gallery of his photos is below.
For more Relay Cross photos, visit robotfresh.com and his Instagram page. If you missed it, also check out his eye-catching gallery from Gravel Worlds.
Robert Clark Photo Gallery: Chicago's xXx Racing - Athletico Relay Cross
The Relay Cross schedule allowed women to race against each other and then double up in the CoEd Cross at the end of the day. 2018 xXx Racing-Athletico Relay Cross, Chicago. © Robert Clark
