Start Lists: All Systems Go for 2019 Virginia’s Blue Ridge GO Cross p/b Deschutes Brewery

The calendar might still say “August,” but UCI cyclocross is here this weekend at the 2019 Virginia’s Blue Ridge GO Cross p/b Deschutes Brewery in Roanoke, Virginia. First held last year, this year marks the second year of opening up the North American UCI calendar for the race.

The two days of racing will take place at Roanoke’s Fallon Park, and the course will take advantage of the permanent cyclocross located there. For more background on the venue and how the race came to be, you can check out our interview with Wes Best of the East Coasters Bike Shop from last year.

GO Cross returns for Year 2 in 2019. 2018 GO Cross Day 2. © Bruce Buckley

Start lists for the Elite races are below [via bikereg.com]. There are a couple of noteworthy inclusions and exclusions worth noting.

Elite Women

Fifteen-time U.S. National Champion Katie Compton (KFC Racing p/b Trek Knight) had planned on racing at GO Cross, but she suffered a broken elbow in a crit crash earlier this month.

Compton told Cyclocross Magazine her broken bone is still healing, and she expects to return to off-road riding in mid-September. She is targeting the Jingle Cross and Waterloo World Cups for a return.

After Van Dessel dropped its sponsorship of a women’s team, Sunny Gilbert and Caroline Mani return as teammates with their new Pactimo Women’s CX-Gravel Project. The duo will be unveiling their new colorful kits and program on Saturday.

Joining the field will be a familiar face in Allison Arensman (J.A. King p/b Blue Ridge Cross). Arensman returns to racing professional cyclocross after taking the 2018 season off to focus on running the J.A. King p/b BRC development program.

Full Elite Women start lists are below.

Elite Men

One of the biggest names on the Elite Men’s start list is that of Curtis White (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld). The defending Pan-Ams Champion and U.S. Nationals silver medalist kicks his season off in Roanoke ahead of the throwdown expected next weekend in Rochester.

The Men’s start list has a strong regional flavor, with Kerry Werner (Kona Maxxis Shimano), Eric Thompson (The Endurance Collective), Travis Livermon, Lucas Livermon, The Beard Robert Marion and defending Masters 35-39 National Champion Greg Wittwer (Sweet Spot Cycling wrapped in VIE_13) among those registered to make the start.

Kerry Werner is looking to repeat his GO Cross success in 2019. 2018 Go Cross, Day 1, UCI C2 Cyclocross. photo: Bruce Buckley

Full Elite Men start lists are below.

Elite Women Start List: 2019 GO Cross

Elite Men Start List: 2019 GO Cross