Race Preview: US Open of Cyclocross Continues Tradition of UCI Racing at Valmont Park in Boulder

One of the two UCI races being held in the U.S. this weekend is the US Open of Cyclocross at Valmont Park in Boulder. Valmont Park is the dedicated bike park just outside downtown Boulder that hosted the 2014 Cyclocross Nationals.

A Boulder-based event has been part of the UCI schedule for years now. The old Boulder Cup was the predecessor to the event, featuring the UCI Colorado Classic at Boulder Reservoir and the Boulder Cup at various venues.

The Event

The US Open of Cyclocross was started in 2014 by Without Limits, a Boulder-based event production company, after the two Boulder Cup race directors retired.

“Our goal starting in 2014 was a three-year vision of creating a development pipeline for emerging talent in the country,” said race director Lance Panigutti. “This season the vision has finally been realized with two full days of UCI Junior Men, UCI U23 Men and Elite Female and Male races. There’s so much talent in the country, but we need to get them racing each other head-to-head more often to prepare them for overseas competition.”

As Panigutti mentioned, the weekend’s schedule will bring the top young talent to Boulder to square off against one another. Full start lists are provided below.

Valmont Bike Park is the home of the 2017 US Open of Cyclocross © Dejan Smaic / Sportif Images

Every cyclocross race develops its own flavor over time. Cyclocross Magazine asked Panigutti what makes the US Open of Cyclocross unique.

“The Colorado community,” he said. “We have such a strong junior development scene here that really gets to showcase all the hard work by the coaches and club leaders that are so passionate about the sport.  I have no problem making the claim that Colorado has the best junior development scene in the entire country.  It’s not just about the results on the national and international scene, it’s about getting kids on bikes and making them fall in love with cyclocross.”

The Course

The event takes place at the Valmont Bike Park, which has a mix of mountain bike tracks and cyclocross features. There are different course layouts for Saturday and Sunday, but they include a combination of sandpits, the iconic 5280′ Run-Up, Pete (Webber)’s Plunge and the famed Cody Kaiser stairs.

Features at Valmont proved tricky for some riders at 2014 U.S. Nationals. © Matt Lasala

The two layouts are new for 2017. The Saturday course is being called “The Flume,” because it features more climbing and a wind-y descent called “The Corkscrew.”

2017 US Open of Cyclocross Saturday course map. photo: courtesy

Sunday’s course is dubbed “The Glade Runner,” because of its increased use of the grassy glades in the southern part of the park. Said Panigutti, “Sunday’s course caters to the rider with better turning skills and punchy power.”

2017 US Open of Cyclocross Sunday course map. photo: courtesy

The Racers

The top cyclocross talent in the U.S. is splitting its weekend between Gloucester out east and Boulder out west. Both venues have a C2 designation for both races, so proximity appears to be the primary influence on where riders are racing this weekend.

Based on UCI points, the Women’s field is headed up by Courtenay McFadden (Pivot Cycles p/b DNA Cycling) and Caroline Mani (Van Dessel Factory Racing), who will be making the short trip up from Colorado Springs. Other riders ranked in the top 100 include Sunny Gilbert (Van Dessel Factory Racing), Sofia Gomez-Villafane (Pivot p/b DNA Cycling) and Rebecca Gross (Zero D Racing).

Caroline Mani (Van Dessel Factory Team) heads up the Women’s field in boulder. 2017 Charm City Cross © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

The Men’s field is headed up by Jamey Driscoll (Donnelly Cycling) and Michael van den Ham (Garneau-Easton). Other top 100 riders include Allen Krughoff (Allen Krughoff Racing), Garry Millburn (Speedvagen / MAAP) of Australia and Yannick Eckmann.

Jamey Driscoll (Donnelly) is one of the top men in Boulder this weekend. 2017 KMC Cross Fest Day 1 (Friday) © J. Curtes / Cyclocross Magazine

All three members of the U23 Men’s podium from Hartford Nationals will be in Boulder. Lance Haidet (Donnelly Cycling), Gage Hecht (Alpha Bicycle Co. – Groove Subaru) and Maxx Chance (EVOL Racing) will be joined by Ross and Grant Ellwood (Boulder Cycle Sport), Denzel Stephenson (EVOL Racing) and Brannan Fix (Alpha Bicycle Co. – Groove Subaru).

Lance Haidet will be heading up last year’s U23 podium from Nationals. Anthony Clark wins 2017 WSCXGP Day 1. © V. Sama / Cyclocross Magazine

Full start lists for the four UCI races are below.

The Schedule

Saturday 

(All times Mountain Time Zone)

Junior Men – 1:10 p.m.
U23 Men – 2:00 p.m.
Elite Women: 3:10 p.m
Elite Men: 4:20 p.m.

Sunday

Junior Men – 1:20 p.m.
U23 Men – 2:00 p.m.
Elite Women – 3:20 p.m.
Elite Men – 4:30 p.m.

More info: withoutlimits.co

Elite Women Start List - 2017 US Open of Cyclocross

Elite Men Start List - 2017 US Open of Cyclocross

U23 Men Start List - 2017 US Open of Cyclocross

Junior Men Start List - 2017 US Open of Cyclocross