U.S. Cross Nationals is moving to Madison, Wisconsin, for 2012-2013. And the race will now be in January, which puts the U.S. a little more in line with the rest of the cyclocross world. Yeah, I know, Wisconsin in January. But, really, it’s not so bad. Bring your long johns and bourbon, rent an ice-fishing hut, and settle in for a spell.
Here are all the details from your friends at USA Cycling.
2012-2013 Cyclo-Cross Nationals awarded to Madison; Event moved to January
Colorado Springs, Colo. (October 29, 2010) — USA Cycling is pleased to name Madison, Wisconsin as the host city for the 2012-2013 Cyclo-cross National Championships.
Additionally, the national governing body announced today that for 2012 and 2013, the event will move from its traditional dates during the second week of December to the first week in January.
Although the United States has held its cyclo-cross national championships in December for a number of years, the move to January was proposed to better align the event with the international calendar. Additionally, the move will better support the U.S. athletes who are training to compete in the world championships slated for Louisville, Ky. later in January.
USA Cycling originally began the discussion surrounding the date change last year. After a participant survey showed member support for the move, the final decision was confirmed this fall.
“To make sure this decision was in the best interest of our members, we distributed a survey to 2009 Cyclo-cross National Championship participants,” explained USA Cycling National Events Director Kelli Lusk. “When a large majority came back and said they would support moving the event to January, the decision was made to move the national championships to the UCI-designated weekend.”
Because next season’s national championship will take place in January of 2012 and this season’s is scheduled for December of 2010, there will not be a cyclo-cross national championship event held during the 2011 calendar year.
Organized by the Madison Area Sports Commission and Team Sports Inc., the 2012 event will take place January 4-8 in Madison’s Badger Prairie/Reddan Park where warming tents and plenty of shelter will help ensure the warmth and safety of racers and spectators.
The USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships were last held in the Midwest when Kansas City hosted the 2007 and 2008 editions. Since then, the event has been held in Bend, Ore. (2009-2010). The city of Madison, which has also played host to the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships (2010 and 2011), is happy to welcome the annual cyclo-cross event back to the Midwest for a two-year commitment.
“We know that Madison’s great cycling culture and enthusiastic cycling fan base will create a memorable experience for the racers competing in these events,” said Jamie Patrick, Director of Sports Sales and Program Development, Madison Area Sports Commission
“We are truly honored and excited to host the 2012/2013 USA Cycling CX National Championships,” said Tom Schuler of Team Sports, Inc. “I know that the rest of the country will quickly learn what midwesterners know already, that the greater Madison area is an incredibly cycling-friendly city.”
