Riders from throughout the West will see their skills tested and versatility measured as they vie for the second annual Utah State Championship of Cyclocross Nov. 26 at Staheli Farms. The first wave of racers starts at 8:30 a.m. Spectator admission is free.
“It is as much about the atmosphere as the racing,” said Cimarron Chacon, race director and president of GRO Races. “We often get entire families racing throughout the day. We welcome the public to join us and cheer with cowbells.”
Cyclocross is a spectator-friendly sport where road cyclists and mountain bikers compete on a course consisting of man-made and natural obstacles. Although courses are unpredictable by nature, race officials are expecting a speedy course with grass, barriers, and loose, sandy dirt.
“Cyclocross racers will tell you that the sport is technically challenging and physically demanding, but the bottom line is it is just fun,” said Kevin Lewis, director of the St. George Area Sports Commission. “It is a great ‘off-season’ sport that leads to significant improvement in a rider’s primary racing discipline.”
State championship races are open to all athletes as a USA Cycling-sanctioned cyclocross event. However, only Utah Cycling Association members will compete for the Utah title.
Helmets are mandatory while riding the course, and all participants are required to sign a USA Cycling Event waiver. Mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes are the only bikes allowed, and all USA Cycling equipment regulations for cyclocross apply.
“Because of our location, we hope to attract athletes from northern Utah as well as those from California, Nevada, and Arizona looking to boost their USA Cycling points,” said Chacon, who anticipates between 150 and 200 participants.
The registrations fees are as follows: pro, $40; adult racer, $30; junior, $20; youth, $10; kiddie, $2. Online registration closes at 9 p.m. Nov. 25. Day-of registration closes 20 minutes prior to each race.
All racers are required to carry a USAC license for this event day, except for youth and kiddie division candidates.
Staheli Farms is located at 3400 S. Washington Fields Road in Washington. For information on start times, go to southernutahcyclocross.com.
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