Not only does the USGP come to Sun Prairie in September and nationals to Madison in January, but with 15 events on the schedule, the Wisconsin Cycling Association will be one of the largest series’ in the US.
In addition, the WCA Cyclocross series has a new sponsor: Milwaukee-based bicycle shop Crank Daddy’s.
Midwest crossers will now have 15 races in the series, including six new races that spread around the state, as part of the 2011 WCA Crank Daddy’s Cyclocross Series.
Team Sports Inc.’s Tom Schuler, who is promoting the US Cyclocross Nationals in Madison, is giving Midwest regional racers first shot at the nationals course at Badger Prairie, outside of Madison, on December 10 and 11.
“We are excited to bring the National Cyclocross Championships to Wisconsin and the new and improved Badger Prairie course will be a true championship caliber course,” Schuler said. “Badger X on Dec. 11-12 wil be the first and only time to race on the Nationals course.”
Greg Ferguson, vice-president of the WCA and a member of the cyclocross committee, said the additional races are going to make the series more exciting.
“The WCA is excited to see the growth of cyclocross,” he said. “More races, more racers, more spectators – more fun riding and racing your bike. Cyclocross is a great way for beginners to try out a bike race, and an awesome outlet for roadies and mountain bikers to use their hard earned summer fitness into the autumn — and now winter!”
Jerry Pearce, long-time cyclocross organizer and a member of the WCA Cyclocross Committee, said the WCA cross series has come a long way since it started in 1996 with five races, including two of the original events are still on the schedule (Cam-Rock and Estabrook Park).
“This season we will have 15 races including the USA Cycling Midwest Regional Championships. Wisconsin has proven to be one of the hotbeds of cross in the US. I am excited at the prospect of an entertaining and competitive series for 2011.”
Eric Kuhagen, part-owner of Crank Daddy’s, said the sponsorship was a natural fit for the shop. “We helped sponsor the WCA Cross the Domes race last year and had so much fun, we wanted to sponsor the series,” he said.
Wisconsin Cycling Association Crank Daddy’s Cyclocross Series 2011
Oct. 1: Cross the Domes, Milwaukee
Oct. 2: River Hill Park CX, Kewaskum
Oct 8: Grafton PumpkinCross, Grafton
Oct. 9: UW-Whitewater Cross, Cam-Rock Park, Cambridge
Oct. 15: Badger Prairie, Verona, WI
Oct. 22: Kletzsch Park, Milwaukee
Oct. 23: Sun Prairie Cup, Sun Prairie
Oct. 29: Halloween Cross, Washington Park, Milwaukee
Oct. 30: Sheboygan Bicycle Company Classic, Sheboygan
Nov. 5: Estabrook Park, Milwaukee
Nov. 12: UW-Madison Cross, Cam-Rock Park, Cambridge
Nov. 13: Silver Lake Border Battle, Silver Lake
Nov. 20: Hales Corners, Wisconsin State Championships
Dec. 4: Wizard Cross, Hiestand Park, Madison
Dec. 10-11: Badger X Midwest Regional Championships, Badger Prairie, Verona, WI
