Pendrel: Olympics could bring cyclocross more exposure
Olympic mountain biker Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team) is thrilled at the potential for cyclocross to be included as a Winter Olympic sport but believes it will be years before any decisions will be made by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“Although I think it would be incredibly exciting to see cyclocross in the Winter Olympics, I think that it’s years off yet,” said Pendrel, the newly crowned national cyclocross champion. “I don’t think enough countries participate in the sport at this time and fewer still in wintry conditions.
“It would be fantastic spectating and would help increase the sport’s participation base and exposure, undoubtedly,” she added. “You would see many more road and mountain bike athletes racing a full ‘cross season.”
Cyclocross is a popular sport in Europe, particularly Belgium and the Netherlands, and has had a lot of growth in North America over the past decade.
The elite cyclocross world championships were held for the first time in North America last February, and for the first time outside of Europe. The sport is held during the fall and winter months with the UCI’s 2013-14 international schedule held from Sept. 7 to Feb. 23. The World Cup schedule began on Nov. 20 and will end at the world championships on Feb. 2 in the Netherlands.
The UCI and the IOC are scheduled to discuss a possible rule change from allowing only sports practised on snow or ice to sports practised during winter months. While, like current elite men’s cyclocross champ Geoff Kabush, Pendrel is excited by the idea of ‘cross in the Winter Olympics, she notes that the sport’s fall/winter schedule makes it a somewhat controversial candidate.
“Yes, challenging weather is a prominent feature of ‘cross and so I can see its Winter Olympic potential and would love to see the international fan base it would create,” Pendrel said. “This is tough as it opens a big grey area. Does the NBA only play during winter months? Track’s competitive season? Indoor athletics?”
