SUN PRAIRIE, Wis.—The 2017 Midwest Cyclocross Regional Championships return to Angell Park in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on Saturday, December 9. The Midwest Regionals are open to riders from 12 Midwest states who want to vie for the distinction of best of the flyover* states.
*Ironically, there is will be no flyover.
This year marks the second year the Midwest Regionals will be held at Angell Park. Last year’s race brought real Wisconsin cyclocross conditions (aka: a foot of snow the night before the race) to Sun Prairie. Host L5 Racing’s snow removal team will again be standing at the ready to shovel, plow and blow the course clear of snow.
Last year’s Midwest Regionals featured prime beardsickle conditions. photo: courtesy
“We’re excited to bring Midwest Regionals back to Angell Park again this year,” said race director Lee Unwin. “Last year got a little dicey after the 17 inches of snow we got the night before, but we pulled it off and we’re excited to learn from the experience.” Unwin added, “That is to say, pray it doesn’t snow 17 inches again. That’s what we learned.”
This year’s Regionals course will be run in the opposite direction of last year’s and will feature a plow-friendly layout. The course will be split between the open field area and the steep, hilly part of the park that was home to the famed Hillside Stranger at the USGP Sun Prairie Grand Prix.
Midwest Cyclocross Regionals course map. photo: courtesy
Course features will include a descent at the nicest feature in cyclocross, Kyle Russ Korner, the Greg Ferguson Tallest Straightaway in Cyclocross and the Corey Horning Memorial Sketchy Gravel Corner.
The nicest feature in cyclocross, Kyle Russ Korner, will be back in 2017 with a descent instead of a run-up. photo: courtesy
Course designer Travis Gruchow said the course will offer a little bit of everything. “We’ve had a few races here now, so we want to come up with something different. We are going to run it backwards and try to add more descents and climbing on the hill. Hopefully we can make it both fun and challenging.”
Given the potential for cold weather, a heated warming tent will be provided for staging. Event organizers are currently working on obtaining a fog machine and DJ to bring back the SuperCup Gloucester intros.
Registration and awards will be in Angell Park’s impressive heated chalet. CycleOps trainers will be available for indoor warm-ups. Paoli brewery Hop Garden will be providing refreshments and the El Coqui food truck will be providing food.
The December 9 date was scheduled to optimize training value. It is the week after many state championships and the week before Chicago’s famed Afterglow. It also provides an opportunity to get in peak form for Chad Brown’s Santa Rampage the following weekend. Oh, and something something Reno Nationals in January.
Last year’s race produced several Nationals medalists. Isaac Neff won the Baby Masters and Singlespeed races at U.S. Nationals, Maria Larkin finished second at the Irish National Championships and Lily Williams finished second the Collegiate Club Nationals.
Race at Midwest Regionals and you will be bound for a Nationals podium. It’s science.
Registration for Midwest Regionals is currently open at usacycling.com.
For updated information, see the Midwest Cyclocross Championships Facebook page.
