Kabush wants national cyclocross title

Geoff Kabush (Scott-3 Rox Racing) is aiming to win the maple-leaf jersey at the Canadian cyclocross championships held this weekend at the South Surrey Athletic Park in Surrey, B.C. He pointed to defending champion Chris Sheppard (Rocky Mountain) as his main rival in the battle to claim the title.

“My cyclocross season has been a little lighter this year, after a big mountain bike season, but I’m definitely motivated to compete this weekend,” Kabush told Canadian Cycling Magazine.

“I’ve mixed it up this fall at a few different events and I’m happy to be able to fit the Canadian nationals in again, after a couple years away. The goal will be to bring home the jersey for Scott-3 Rox Racing.”

Kabush is an 11-time national champion with three of those titles in the cyclocross discipline. He last competed in the national cyclocross championships during the 2009-10 season in Edmonton. He is aiming to start in the UCI cyclocross world championships held from February 2-3 in Louisville, Ky.

“I’m racing nationals again for a lot of reasons,” Kabush said. “I’ll take any excuse to visit Vancouver and I’m definitely motivated by the jersey, the UCI points, and the fact that I would like to compete at the world championships this year. It’s also really nice to visit family and friends. Tonight I’m getting a nice home-cooked lasagna prepared by my mom.”

Kabush believes there will be a strong field with Sheppard, his teammate Cameron Jette (Scott-3 Rox Racing), Mike Garrigan (Stage Race-Blacksmith Cycle), Aaron Schooler (Norco) and Derrick St. John (Stevens Racing powered by The Cyclery), among others.

“I think there will be a large cast of characters that will be motivated for nationals, especially with the opportunity to qualify to race worlds in North America,” Kabush said. “I expect defending champion Chris Sheppard will be one of my main combatants. There is probably a list of seven or eight guys with ambitions of standing on the podium.”