In Issue 26, we named Cycle-Smart International as one of the top destinations for cyclocross racing in the United States (for the full list, make sure you order a back-copy today). Racers will enjoy massive competition and a course that plays to an extremely diverse range of talents, spectators will be treated with a race that is 85% visible to watch play out, and both will enjoy a course with one of the most deeply rooted traditions in the sport.
With racers competing for US Pro CX points, which have become more vital for the United States National Championship, the highest-levels of racing should be all the more fierce. A press release from Cycle-Smart can be found below.
Cycle-Smart International is the oldest UCI cyclocross race in America. © Todd Prekaski
This weekend’s Cycle-Smart International isn’t just the longest-running UCI cyclocross race in America, it’s also Rounds 3 and 4 of the longest-running UCI cyclocross series this side of the Atlantic: the Verge New England Cyclocross Series presented by Stan’s NoTubes.
Fans adore this legendary race weekend, November 1st and 2nd in Northampton, Massachusetts, where national champions past and present from all over the globe battle for victory. The notoriously fast Look Park course favors tactical racing, requiring both finesse and power – and rewards spectators with a guarantee of exciting races all weekend long.
The classic run-ups and popular new trail section, combined with the extended sandpit, promise the Cycle-Smart International will have just the right mix of Belgian-style course design with distinct New England flavor.
Mike Garrigan and Jeremy Durrin will reprise this battle from the 2013 race this weekend at the CSI. © Todd Prekaski
Mike Garrigan (Van Dessel/POC/Shimano) reclaimed his maple leaf jersey last weekend at the Canadian National Cyclocross Championships, and is hoping to claim glory at CSI as well. However, he’ll have to defeat New England’s new star Stephen Hyde (JAM Fund/NCC), fresh from a big win at day two of Providence’s KMC Cyclocross Festival, to do so. Add to the mix former Danish National Cyclocross Champion Joachim Parbo (Challenge Tires), Dan Timmerman of House Industries/SimpleHuman/Richard Sachs, Anthony Clark (JAM Fund/NCC), Jeremy Durrin (Neon Velo Cycling Team), and Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart), director of this race since he founded it in 1991, and spectators will have a weekend of racing they’ll not forget.
Laura Van Gilder, shown here powering through the 2013 CSI course, hopes to race to victory this weekend in Northampton. © Todd Prekaski
Laura Van Gilder (Van Dessel p/b Mellow Mushroom) confessed a love for this race course, and hopefully the feeling is mutual. Van Gilder, the winningest bike racer ever, will face a rematch with Cassie Maximenko (Rare Vos Racing/Van Dessel/PowerBar) after they most recently battled in the UCI races at Highland Park, emerging from the weekend with one victory each. Gabby Durrin (Team Neon Velo), riding strong this year, looks poised to compete for the win. Ellen Noble, Rebecca Fahringer, and Chris Birch, teammates with JAM Fund/NCC, hope to win in upsets with the home court advantage, and Natasha Elliot (Cycle-Smart) will be the wildcard in the lead group.
Thirteen categories of races, from Masters to Juniors, Amateurs to Elites, continue their season long battles in the Verge New England Cyclocross Series. Racers will be extra motivated in their final sprints, since local Tart Baking Co. awards delicious pie to the winner in each race category. Free kids’ races at 1:30 pm both days, organized by the Northampton Cycling Club, give the smallest racers a chance to test their skills on their very own cyclocross course in the Kids’ Zone.
Follow the races live both days with live streamed video from gnarlymonkey.com and live tweets from @VergeNECXS. Results and reports will be available on cycle-smart.com/necxs.
