Last week’s disappointing news from the UCI was a bitter reminder to American cyclocross fans that we love a very Euro-centric, niche sport. Having no World Cup races on this side of the Atlantic in 2024-2025 will reduce fan engagement. But today’s announcement from the USCX series takes away some of the sting. Trek has stepped up as title sponsor for the upcoming season, ensuring its Trek CXC Cup will continue as a top domestic event. So, we’ll continue to have a UCI race here in Wisconsin, and plenty of Americans and Canadians will be on hand to fight for points that will qualify them for the world championships. However, don’t expect the big European stars at these C1/C2 races, as the cost-versus-benefit equation simply won’t make sense to them.
It will be interesting to see whether the revamped USCX can grow even further in the 2025-2026 season. This year’s schedule misses some regions of the country that traditionally have supported cyclocross well. I’m thinking particularly about New England, the Ohio Valley, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest. And then there’s Jingle Cross in Iowa, with its rich history. And would you bring back a night race in Las Vegas, even if it weren’t tied to a bicycle industry expo? CrossVegas was always a good show. Is that only because it had the star power of prominent European riders? Well, maybe, but we can’t count on that anymore. Let’s see if USCX can tell a story that keeps us wanting another chapter.
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