THOMPSON, Connecticut — The 2017 KMC Cross Fest full race schedule is now available. The lead-off race weekend of the new USA Cycling US Cup-CX series, KMC Cross Fest has moved its UCI Category 1 racing to Friday, September 29. The ninth annual event will feature an exclusive dealer-media event on Thursday, Sept. 28, with fun races and events in the evening under the lights. Cyclocross racing will begin on Friday, Sept. 29, with amateur events leading up to the UCI C1 Women, Junior and Men’s events early Friday evening. The UCI C2 events will remain on Sunday, Oct. 1.
“With adding a full day to the festival this year we can now give our UCI C1 races their own prime time slot on Friday,” explains KMC Cross Fest Programs Director Patrick Goguen. “An international rider could race Friday night in Thompson, then catch a flight back to Europe to make the start line for the inaugural Super Prestige race on Sunday.”
The KMC Cross Festival course features some tough descents that spectators do not want to miss. Curtis White at 2016 KMC Cross Fest Day 1, UCI C1 © Nin Lei
Moving UCI racing to Friday allows for a more complete weekend schedule of amateur racing and an opportunity for elite athletes to partner with sponsors on events or clinics and be more involved in the festival. It also provides the Masters categories their own show on Saturday and allows the addition of a time slot for a Masters women category.
“The Saturday format is similar to the elite Masters day at the National Championships,” added Goguen. “But we’re using the opportunity of having the extra race start slots to offer some options that are pretty unique to the New England cyclocross scene. The single speed race, a high school championship event, a new women’s Masters field and an even more radical cyclocross madison event using the oval car race track. These categories, along with the crits on Thursday night, will be stand alone non-omnium events and the winners will receive champion’s jerseys on the podium.”
Additionally, the schedule updates will allow racing to end slightly earlier on Sunday while still accommodating a full race schedule, which is a change based on feedback from racers looking to depart in the afternoon or catch evening flights home.
Registration opens Monday, August 7.
For more information visit kmccrossfest.com. See below for the race flyer.
About the KMC Cross Fest:
The ninth annual KMC Cross Fest will be held September 28-October 1, 2017 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. The event will feature UCI cyclocross racing, the Eddy Merckx New England Gran Fondo, MTB Gran Fondo, a dealer-media day, three-day consumer expo, on-site camping, and the Paddock Party. For more information visit kmccrossfest.com.
About KMC Chain:
The ongoing pursuit of professionalism makes KMC Chain the most distinguished leader in the chain industry. KMC Chain is the celebrated pioneer to unveil the extraordinary X-SuperLight chain. As foremost innovators of bicycle chains, KMC Chain also excels in superior technology for motorcycle, automobile, and industrial chains. Racers at the festival love KMC’s 11-speed chain, fine-tuned to handle the mud and grit of cyclocross racing. KMC X12 will be available this July in 3 levels: Full Silver, Ti-Gold/Black, and Full Ti-Gold. For more information on this and other KMC products visit kmcchain.us
About Thompson Motor Speedway:
After 76 years leading the way in motorsports – introducing the first purpose-built road course and first asphalt high-banked oval in America – Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP) is now proud to offer even more. TSMP today includes NASCAR racing on a 5/8 mile Oval, a 1.7 mile Road Course, a first class Golf Club, Clubhouse restaurant with a banquet and catering facility, exclusive Drivers Club, and an Exotic Car Driving Experience. For more information visit Thompsonspeedway.com.
About Sho-Air Cycling Group:
A journey filled by passion for U.S. Cycling. Sho-Air Cycling Group aims to strengthen the state of cycling in the U.S. through increased marketing and subsidies to cycling events across the nation. The goal is to solidify a true national calendar for Olympic hopefuls as well as provide a fun and healthy environment for cycling enthusiasts and racers through added value in content and prizes. For more information visit uscup.net
KMC Cross Fest 2017 Flyer
