Cycling World Cup to Forego North American Events in 2024-2025 Season
(Cyclingnews, April 28, 2023)
The cycling world received a surprising announcement on Friday, as the UCI Cyclocross World Cup calendar for the 2024-2025 season will not include any events outside of Europe. This decision marks the end of a nine-year run of World Cup rounds held in the United States, with the popular Trek CX Cup in Waterloo, Wisconsin, being left off the revised 12-race schedule.
The news has elicited a mix of emotions from elite cyclocross riders. Canadian rider Maghalie Rochette, who finished fourth at the 2022 Waterloo World Cup, expressed her disappointment, stating, “It’s definitely a bummer to not have a World Cup in North America, or anywhere outside Europe this year. It feels a little bit like a step back in the progression of our sport.” However, she acknowledged the challenges organizers face in hosting these high-profile events, noting the significant financial commitment required.
Despite the absence of a World Cup race in the United States, the domestic cyclocross scene remains vibrant. The USCX series, which has hosted eight races over four weekends, is expected to return for its fourth season this fall, offering a substantial $15,000 prize purse split evenly between elite men and women. USA Cycling plans to announce the full US calendar, including the USCX, by the end of May.
Two-time US national champion and three-time Pan-American champion Eric Brunner expressed his concern for the impact on up-and-coming North American riders, who may miss the opportunity to gain valuable World Cup experience. He suggested that a more geographically compact World Cup schedule, similar to the mountain bike World Cup model, could help increase participation and elevate the prestige of the series.
Despite the setback, the cycling community remains hopeful that the World Cup will return to North America in the near future. Rochette emphasized the importance of supporting the local cyclocross scene, stating, “as long as we have the local races, the local clubs, the domestic races and series, there is hope that cyclocross in North America will one day come back to its best days!“
The decision by the UCI to focus the 2024-2025 Cyclocross World Cup solely within Europe has sparked discussions within the cycling community. While it may be a temporary setback for the sport’s growth in North America, the resilience and passion of the local organizers and riders suggest that cyclocross in the region will continue to thrive, awaiting the eventual return of the prestigious World Cup.
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