The 2019 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships came back to the U.S. in Santa Clara, Utah after two years away in Italy and Belgium.
Although the beautiful desert setting was a far cry from the overcast, wet setting of Portland, where the event was last held in the U.S., there was still plenty of fun, mayhem and cyclocross to make an event worthy of SSCXWC’s irreverent roots.
The event took place in a black lava field with incredible scenery. 2019 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships, Utah. © Jeff Vander Stucken
The weekend’s events kicked off on Friday with seven feats of strength that included a literal wheelbarrow race and the new hip trend of axe throwing. Riders then competed in qualifying heats on Friday afternoon.
Qualifying involved 7 feats of strength including a hill climb, a wheelbarrow race (in an actual wheelbarrow) and axe throwing. 2019 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships, Utah. © Jeff Vander Stucken
They say that in cyclocross, pre-ride sometimes only has so much value because the course is changing lap by lap. In the case of SSCXWC, the changing conditions were not because of mud but rather because more obstacles just kept appearing on the course. Among those was a re-route through a section of boulders for the Men’s final race.
One of the late course changes involved bouldering. 2019 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships, Utah. © Jeff Vander Stucken
Perhaps the craziest part of the weekend was the trailer.
Sarah Sturm, Emily Kachorek and about a dozen more of the women racers packed the trailer for the Men’s Final. Words and pictures do not do justice the craziness that ensued. 2019 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships, Utah. © Jeff Vander Stucken
Eventually, despite lots of cheating, debauchery in the trailer, jello wrestling and more, there were two champions in Sunny Gilbert and Maxx Chance. The two got their tattoos and showed them off while wearing the traditional golden speedos at the SSCXWC after party.
The King and Queen greet the crowd in the traditional golden bikinis at the after party. 2019 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships, Utah. © Jeff Vander Stucken
Head out to Utah for more of the fun with this photo gallery from Jeff Vander Stucken.
For many many more photos from SSCXWC 2019, visit Vander Stucken’s website and consider supporting his work.
Photo Gallery: 2019 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships
Qualifying involved 7 feats of strength incluing a hill climb, a wheelbarrow race (in an actual wheelbarrow) and axe throwing. 2019 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships, Utah. © Jeff Vander Stucken
