February 16/11 10:46 am - CrossVegas Announces Plans for Fifth Annual Season-Opener

Posted by Editoress on 02/16/11
 

CrossVegas uses the tagline "the international cyclocross season starts American Style in Las Vegas" and it seems more fitting each year. 2011 looks to be no exception with the announcement by the organizer that the fifth edition of the race will return September 14th.

The biggest cyclocross race outside of Europe is big by any measure, attracting almost 10,000 spectators to the Desert Breeze Soccer Complex in Las Vegas to watch athletes from 11 nations compete in 2010.

Among the developments for 2011 are:

• Prize money for the top five spots in the Elite Women's category will equal the Elite Men.
• CrossVegas will kick off the Cross After Dark series, a series of nighttime cross races that will link races in Seattle, St. Louis and Los Angeles in addition to Las Vegas.

Interest among European riders for CrossVegas has never been higher. CrossVegas is uniquely situated at the start of the international season making it an ideal time for European professional cyclocross racers to make a trip to the U.S. before the racing schedules in Europe make it almost impossible.

Race Director Brook Watts explained, "I was besieged by requests from European pros at the World Championships, all of the riders want to see what CrossVegas is all about, what the U.S. cross scene is like and of course experience the entertainment capitol of the world - Las Vegas."

Victories by non-U.S. riders in 2011 may have contributed to the increased international interest. Katerina Nash of the Czech Republic won the women's race in a solo effort while the men's race was captured by Francis Mourey of France in a final sprint to the line that left everyone amazed. Both winners parlayed their early season fitness into strong performances at the World Championships in January, with Nash standing on the podium for bronze and Mourey just missing a podium spot with his fourth place finish.

CrossVegas takes place during Interbike, the U.S. trade show for the bicycle industry.

For more information, visit www.crossvegas.com.