Chicago, Illinois – A high-caliber collection of cyclocross professionals will battle in Chicagoland this weekend at the inaugural New Year’s Resolution, to be held at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Illinois on Saturday, December 31 and Sunday, January 1. The pedigree of the men’s elite field is unprecedented in the Chicago area and includes Jeremy Powers, the 2011 Exergy US Grand Prix of Cyclocross overall series winner and the 2011 Velo magazine North American Cyclocross Rider of the Year, and Ryan Trebon, a four-time national champion in cyclocross and mountain bike. The UCI 2.0 event is hosted by the Chicago Cyclocross Cup.
“A field of this quality is fantastic for New Year’s Resolution’s inaugural year, especially when competing against more established European races,” said Race Director Jason Knauff. “This lineup will provide a test for the elite riders heading into Nationals, as well as an exciting race-day experience for our spectators and amateur competitors.”
Powers (Team Rapha-Focus) will use New Year’s Resolution as a bridge between his USGP series-winning form and the 2012 USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships, slated for January 8 in Madison, Wis. Since 2009, the Connecticut native has recorded over 20 cyclocross victories. making him a favorite in Madison. Powers will be joined this weekend by Rapha-Focus teammate Chris Jones, who picked up a pair of second-place finishes in a November swing through the Midwest.
New Year’s Resolution is a critical measuring stick for Trebon (LTS-Felt), who returns to competition for the first time after injuring his left knee in a pre-race crash in Louisville, Ky., on November 13. Trebon was enjoying a strong campaign before the setback, as evidenced by his third-place USGP overall finish despite being sidelined for the final two races. A positive result in Chicago could serve as a springboard for Trebon, who will have National and World Championship ambitions as he navigates the course at Indian Lakes.
The New Year’s Resolution start list also includes Barry Wicks (Kona), a decorated cyclocross veteran currently residing in Illinois who owns numerous top-ten finishes at the cyclocross and mountain bike National Championships, and Justin Lindine (BikeReg.com-Joe’s Garage) who is fresh off a second-place showing at the New England Regional Cyclocross Championship on Dec. 18.
