CrossVegas to start the 2016-17 global cyclocross season: officials
In Zolder, Belgium, as competition for the UCI world championships of cyclocross roared, an announcement was made by the global cycling body about next season regarding one of the most notable season-opening events in the discipline.
In Zolder, Belgium, as competition for the UCI world championships of cyclocross roared, an announcement was made by the global cycling body about next season regarding one of the most notable season-opening events in the discipline.
On Sept. 21, 2016, CrossVegas will return as a World Cup event—the first round of the TElenet 2016-16 UCI cyclocross World Cup, officials said.
That day, a Wednesday, riders in both the men’s and women’s Elite disciplines will start next season’s World Cup contention, as well as kick off the momentum for the global cyclocross scene in general. In addition to the Elite races, a USA Cycling category race, as well as the Wheelers & Dealers Industry race, will be hallmarks of the event. This past year, getting the pace of the 2015-16 season off and running, over 20 nations were represented, including riders like Luna Pro Team’s Katerina Nash, representing the Czech Republic, and Wout Van Aert of Belgium, riding for Crelan-Vastgoedservice.
Being the first event in the world cyclocross season, officials said, is a privilege and then some.
“We are honoured to be selected again to kick off the World Cup season,” said Brook Watts, director of CrossVegas. “It’s a task that requires a lot of work from a large team, but the pay off comes on event day when the world’s best gather to race for the Telenet UCI World Cup series leader’s jersey.” Held in Las Vegas, the competition also coincides with Interbike, the biggest bike trade show this side of Europe, and takes advantage of multiple courses that make the event a thrill for both riders and spectators. It’s an opportunity for athletes and sponsors to turn about 12,000 heads, with many industry representatives also on hand.
Officials with the Union Cycliste Internationale also praised the event’s season-starting prestige. “CrossVegas,” said Mike Plant, president of the UCI cyclocross commission, “was a great addition to the 2015 UCI World Cup calendar. The United States continues to be a leader in expanding cyclocross event opportunities and we are thrilled to see the return of this prestigious event to the Telenet UCI cyclocross World Cup calendar.”
For CrossVegas itself—beyond being such a gilded highlight of the global competitive calendar for the discipline—2016 also marks its 10th year.
