Cyclo-cross Nationals on tap this weekend
Colorado Springs, Colo. (December 10, 2003)— The 2003 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships are set to begin Friday, December 12 at the Portland International Raceway in Portland, Ore. On the line will be the coveted stars and stripes jersey awarded to the U.S. National Champion in each of 27 categories, culminating with Sunday’s elite men’s and women’s competition.
Promoted by Portland-based Club Vivo Promotions, the organizers of the successful Cross Crusade series, the 2003 U.S. Cyclo-cross National Championships will emulate the atmosphere of a world-class event while featuring the nation’s best talent. Competitors from all over the country, who have spent the last few months trading off victories throughout the cyclo-cross scene this year, will now come together for the biggest domestic race of the season.
In the elite men’s category, returning to defend his national title from 2002 will be Jonathan Page (Tilton, N.H.). Page has spent the early part of this season racing amongst the world’s best ‘cross racers on the European circuit and is considered one of the favorites to again contend for the title. Although Page is a threat, the field is stacked with talent and potential winners. Currently the highest ranked rider in UCI points, and the top-ranked rider on the U.S. circuit, Todd Wells (Durango, Colo.) will provide the most venerable challenge. Both ranked in the top five in the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross standings, the Clif Bar duo of Jackson Stewart (Los Gatos, Calif.) and Andy Jacques-Mayne (Berkeley, Calif.) has also enjoyed a successful early season and could pose a threat. Stewart captured his first UCI win in the third round of the Verge New England Cyclo-cross Series last month and Jacques-Mayne has had a handful of top five finishes throughout the ’03 season. The list of challengers continues with mainstay, Marc Gullickson (Boulder, Colo.), and relative newcomer Ryan Trebon (Fayetteville, N.C.). Trebon has been on a tear of late with three victories and two second-place finishes in the only five races he contested in the Verge Mid-Atlantic Cyclo-cross Series. Playing the role of dark horse this year will be Mark McCormack (Northeaston, Mass.). The Saturn pro extended his road season this year resulting in a limited ‘cross campaign, but would like to add a national cyclo-cross jersey to go with the USPRO road jersey he won this summer in Philadelphia.
In the elite women’s category, Alison Dunlap (Colorado Springs, Colo.) has shown strong form with a silver medal effort at the UCI World Cup race in St. Wendel, Germany and a dominating victory at the Verge New England Cyclo-cross Series race in Gloucester, Mass. Dunlap, who won the national title in 2001 will fend off challenges from the defending National Champion, Anne Grande (Seattle, Wash.), and the one-two punch of Clif Bar teammates, Carmen D’Alusio (Watsonville, Calif.) and Gina Hall, (Richmond, Calif.) who hold the top two spots in the national rankings respectively.
In the U-23 ranks, Jeremy Powers (Niantic, Conn.) enters with the number-one ranking ahead of Alan Obye (Mendon, Vt.) and Matt White (Longmeadow, Mass.).
Racing begins at 10:00am on Friday, December 12 with the Collegiate Women’s category and continues throughout the weekend. For a full schedule of races and categories, click here. Complete coverage, including reports and photos will be available at www.usacycling.org.
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 45,000 members and 2,000 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the National Bicycle League (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track) and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information, contact Director of Communications Andy Lee at (719) 866-4867 or visit www.usacycling.org.
Promoted by Portland-based Club Vivo Promotions, the organizers of the successful Cross Crusade series, the 2003 U.S. Cyclo-cross National Championships will emulate the atmosphere of a world-class event while featuring the nation’s best talent. Competitors from all over the country, who have spent the last few months trading off victories throughout the cyclo-cross scene this year, will now come together for the biggest domestic race of the season.
In the elite men’s category, returning to defend his national title from 2002 will be Jonathan Page (Tilton, N.H.). Page has spent the early part of this season racing amongst the world’s best ‘cross racers on the European circuit and is considered one of the favorites to again contend for the title. Although Page is a threat, the field is stacked with talent and potential winners. Currently the highest ranked rider in UCI points, and the top-ranked rider on the U.S. circuit, Todd Wells (Durango, Colo.) will provide the most venerable challenge. Both ranked in the top five in the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross standings, the Clif Bar duo of Jackson Stewart (Los Gatos, Calif.) and Andy Jacques-Mayne (Berkeley, Calif.) has also enjoyed a successful early season and could pose a threat. Stewart captured his first UCI win in the third round of the Verge New England Cyclo-cross Series last month and Jacques-Mayne has had a handful of top five finishes throughout the ’03 season. The list of challengers continues with mainstay, Marc Gullickson (Boulder, Colo.), and relative newcomer Ryan Trebon (Fayetteville, N.C.). Trebon has been on a tear of late with three victories and two second-place finishes in the only five races he contested in the Verge Mid-Atlantic Cyclo-cross Series. Playing the role of dark horse this year will be Mark McCormack (Northeaston, Mass.). The Saturn pro extended his road season this year resulting in a limited ‘cross campaign, but would like to add a national cyclo-cross jersey to go with the USPRO road jersey he won this summer in Philadelphia.
In the elite women’s category, Alison Dunlap (Colorado Springs, Colo.) has shown strong form with a silver medal effort at the UCI World Cup race in St. Wendel, Germany and a dominating victory at the Verge New England Cyclo-cross Series race in Gloucester, Mass. Dunlap, who won the national title in 2001 will fend off challenges from the defending National Champion, Anne Grande (Seattle, Wash.), and the one-two punch of Clif Bar teammates, Carmen D’Alusio (Watsonville, Calif.) and Gina Hall, (Richmond, Calif.) who hold the top two spots in the national rankings respectively.
In the U-23 ranks, Jeremy Powers (Niantic, Conn.) enters with the number-one ranking ahead of Alan Obye (Mendon, Vt.) and Matt White (Longmeadow, Mass.).
Racing begins at 10:00am on Friday, December 12 with the Collegiate Women’s category and continues throughout the weekend. For a full schedule of races and categories, click here. Complete coverage, including reports and photos will be available at www.usacycling.org.
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 45,000 members and 2,000 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the National Bicycle League (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track) and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information, contact Director of Communications Andy Lee at (719) 866-4867 or visit www.usacycling.org.
This Article Published December 10, 2003 For more information contact:
