FALMOUTH, Mass.—November 3 and 4, the Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross returns to the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in Falmouth, Mass. as part of the USA Cycling Pro Cyclocross Calendar (ProCX) calendar featuring two days of UCI Class 2 (C2) racing.
The event is a continuation of the Plymouth Festival of Cyclocross, which was started as the Plymouth Cyclo Cross in 1977 at the Plymouth-Carver High School. One of the first cyclocross races in the Northeast, the race was host to the 1984 and 1986 USCF Cyclocross National Championships.
In 2015, the event was rebranded as the Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross with a focus to attract both beginners and seasoned professionals.
With two distinct race courses, racers in all fields will grind through fast, technical and physically demanding routes throughout the fairgrounds. Special attention to the course design ensures an excellent flow for riders of all abilities, whether they are racing for themselves or riders who are locked in a head-to-head battle for the top prize.
The professional category races will feature exciting competition between many of the top riders from around the country. Union Cycliste Internationale-sanctioned (UCI) Elite C2 races will be held both Saturday and Sunday, and athletes will compete for ProCX points.
In the Elite Women’s race, expect to see Beverly, Mass. native Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling) looking to pick up a win in Falmouth after being on the podium both days of the CRAFT Sportswear Gran Prix of Gloucester earlier this month. Anthony is ranked seventh overall in the ProCX standings for elite women.
“I’m really excited to come check out Really Rad this weekend,” said Anthony, “And I can’t wait to see what unique features the course has to offer. Being from Massachusetts, I always enjoy racing close to my longtime home. New England is synonymous with quality cyclocross racing, and since the area has lost some of its UCI cross weekends over the last several years, it’s great to see a new event stepping up to the UCI level.”
Crystal Anthony is one of the favorites for this weekend’s Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross. 2018 GO Cross Day 2. © Bruce Buckley
Another rider with ties in the Northeast is Arley Kemmerer (Fearless Femme Racing). She won last Sunday’s HPCX race, a UCI C2 weekend in New Jersey. Formerly based in New England, Kemmerer noted, “I’ve never even been to that area of Massachusetts. It’s going to be a cool little trip. I heard the course is flat with a lot of roots and stuff. It should be good.”
Additional riders to watch in the elite women’s race will include Cassie Maximenko (Van Dessel Factory Team), who claimed the day one win at HPCX last weekend, and Regina Legge, (Trek Cyclocross Collective), who has stood on three UCI podiums so far this season.
For the Elite Men, Justin Lindine, who went to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (Hyperthreads/Apex Pro Cycling), will be on the start line this weekend after back-to-back wins at HPCX.
“I’ll do Really Rad, then Northampton after that,” said Lindine of his upcoming schedule. “I haven’t done it before (Really Rad). I saw some highlight video from last year and it looked like a cool course. I’m looking forward to it. It’s nice to have a weekend where you don’t know what to expect.”
Justin Lindine is hoping to take home another win in the Northeast this weekend. 2017 NBX Gran Prix of ‘Cross Day 2. photo: Angelica Dixon
Scott Smith of Westhampton, Mass. (Dirt League) captured two podiums at HPCX said he looks forward to the course in Falmouth. “It was a local race last year and I’ve heard really good things. Now it has UCI status, so I’m really excited to go out and see what it’s like. I mean, it’s on the Cape (Cape Cod), so I’m assuming it will be pretty sandy. I like the sand. I’m excited for it.”
Additional riders in the elite men’s race to watch include second place finisher at HPCX Kevin Bradford-Parish (SETcoaching p/b FSA), Merwin Davis (Cycle-Smart), Tyler Cloutier (TCCX), and Kevin Bouchard-Hall (Velocio Northeast).
The Cape Cod Fairgrounds provide a spectator-friendly atmosphere for friends and family to take in the weekend’s activities. With free parking and free spectator entry, fans can enjoy the fast paced race course surrounded by food trucks, beer tents, bounce houses and more as part of the fun filled festival.
Registration is open until Thursday, Nov. 1 at 5:30pm ET on BikeReg. For more information visit reallyradcx.com. Follow live updates of the races on twitter from @reallyradcx and @usacyclinglive. DirtWire.TV will provide video highlights of the Saturday races after the event.
About Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross
The Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross will be held November 3-4, 2018 at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in Falmouth, Mass. The event will feature two days of UCI Category 2 racing as part of USA Cycling’s Pro CX Calendar. The goal of the RRFCX is to provide all riders, regardless of level, an excellent opportunity to enjoy a fun and challenging weekend of racing while setting the stage for the general public to be introduced to the fabulous sport of cyclocross.
About International Cycling and Event Services
International Cycling was founded in the early 1990’s by Bill Sykes to manage cycling teams and races. In 2009, International Cycling was expanded into International Cycling and Event Services when Bill’s son Adam joined and began the company’s rental equipment division. Since that time, the company has grown into one of the largest equipment and infrastructure service providers in the country which focuses on bike races, running races, triathlons, and various other special events. Since his regular involvement with the company began, Adam has grown a passion for course design and race management. His particular love for cyclocross course design is evident in the thoughtfully executed layout at the Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross.
Featured image: Jeff Curtes
