Deadline To Register Approaching

Kansas City, Kan. – The deadline to register for this year’s USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships is less than two weeks away and organizers remind competitors that registration for the event is online only.

Registration deadline for the Dec. 13-16 event at Kansas City’s Wyandotte County Park is Saturday, Dec. 8 at midnight CST. To register, go to www.kccrossnationals.com. No on-site registrations are allowed and all entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions will be made.

“We are closing in on last year’s record turnout for nationals,” said Race Director Bill Marshall of KLM Marketing Solutions. “With the price of airfare to and from Kansas City at a reasonable rate and plenty of hotel rooms still available, we hope racers who were undecided now decide to make the trip.”

Riders who have previewed the course say it is a smooth, fast course that any type of rider can shine on. At close to two miles a lap, it includes grass, tight technical turns, natural run-ups and a few sections that will really spread out the competition.

“I think the course flows pretty good,” said four-time U.S. national cyclocross champion Steve Tilford. “Most people would think Kansas would be flat, but this course has more elevation gain than many races I’ve done.”

As for those reasonable travel rates, a check of round trip airfares from major cities for travel the week of the championships (weekday arrival and Monday departure) reveals the following prices:

- Dallas-Fort Worth International ($129)
- Denver International ($159)
- Logan (Boston) International ($199)
- Los Angeles International ($209)
- Miami International ($221)
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International ($217)
- O’Hare International ($119)
- Philadelphia International Airport ($211)
- San Francisco International ($209)
- Seattle/Tacoma International ($231)

Nearly 40 races will take place over four days of competition. Non-championship and beginner-level races are scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13. The elite men’s and women’s races are Sunday, Dec. 16.

Official race apparel is on sale through the event’s official website, www.kccrossnationals.com.

Rowdy, Festive Atmosphere Will PunctuateExciting Competition At Cyclocross Nationals

Kansas City, Kan. – The USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships are coming to Kansas City Dec. 13-16 and organizers are giving Kansans and Missourians the Cliffs Notes version of what the sport of cyclocross is all about.

In two words: “Fan Friendly.”

What other national championship event offers free admission, free parking and the opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the athletes before, during and after their competition?

Cyclocross blends the speed of road cycling and the ruggedness of mountain biking with a touch of steeplechase. The nearly two-mile-long course at Wyandotte County Park (near the Kansas Speedway) will take racers on laps over pavement, dirt and grass with sections that require them to dismount and carry their bikes up two flights of stairs, through a sand pit and over wooden barriers.

This niche-but-gnarly sport has a huge following in Europe, where it originated in the early 1900s by cyclists who wanted to maintain their fitness in the winter by pedaling through muddy fields and pastures when snow made mountain passes unrideable. In the United States, cyclocross is now the fastest-growing segment of cycling and the No. 1 cyclocross woman in the world is American Katie Compton.

“Spectators are as much a part of the action as the racers,” Race Director Bill Marshall of KLM Marketing Solutions said. “We not only welcome people to bring horns and noisemakers, but we’ll also have sponsors giving out cowbells.”

On the Wyandotte County course, two large heated tents will offer prime viewing spots while protecting spectators from the elements (cold, wind and snow) that typically make cyclocross even more grueling. Anheuser-Busch will offer refreshments in a beer garden that sits adjacent to other vendor displays.

Thirty-nine national champions will be crowned over four days of competition. Non-national championship and beginner-level races are scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13. Registration for the event remains open until Dec. 8. For more information, visit the event’s website, www.kccrossnationals.com.

Sponsors Up The Ante For Competitors

Kansas City, Kan. – Competitors at the 2007 USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships will receive complimentary energy drinks and energy gels, giant strawberries, comprehensive neutral support, the use of trainers for warm-up and even a free cup of coffee.

These are just a few of the perks being offered by the event’s official sponsors for the competition Dec. 13-16 at Wyandotte County Park in Kansas City, Kan.

“We want every athlete – from the youngest to the oldest and from the B racer all the way up to the elites – to have the best racing experience possible,” said Bill Marshall of KLM Marketing Solutions.

Many of the sponsors will be part of the Expo, which will be located in a massive tent adjacent to the course, near the finish line. A second large tent will serve as the athlete warm-up area. Inside the latter will be complimentary Gatorade, GU Energy Gel, 180 Energy Drink (courtesy of Anheuser Busch), California Giant Berry Farms berries and 20 new CycleOps trainers for warm-up (on a first-come, first-served basis).

Official KCCX-logoed race apparel (wool socks, hats and T-shirts) from Verge Sport is already on sale through the race website, www.kccrossnationals.com.

Individual sponsor glances (in alphabetical order):

Anheuser-Busch: Anheuser-Busch will provide a complimentary supply of its 180 Energy Drinks in the athlete tent and offer several brands of beer at the beer garden, which is adjacent to the Expo.

Big Shark: The St. Louis-based bicycle shop is an official partner to the championships.

Bike Source: The official bicycle shop of Nationals will set up a complete bike shop in the Expo, selling bicycle parts, equipment, clothing and official KCCX apparel. CycleOps wind trainers used in the athlete warm-up tent will also be available for purchase at a discounted price at the conclusion of the event.

California Giant Berry Farms: The official berry of Nationals continues to support cyclocross by offering samples in the athlete warm-up tent.

Chamois Butt’r: The area between the Expo tent and athlete warm-up tent will be dubbed “Chamois Butt’r Way” and feature a tremendous view of the race as it passes through one of its most decisive points. Chamoi Butt’r is made by Paceline Products.

Famous Dave’s: Famous Dave’s will satisfy big appetites in the Expo with a full menu of breakfast burritos, BBQ sandwiches, rib tips, grilled chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken salad wraps, chili and a full complement of side orders. The company will also provide meals for all race volunteers and staff.

Gatorade: The official Thirst Quencher of Nationals will have complimentary product available in the athlete warm-up tent.

GU Energy Gel: Each registered athlete will receive a GU packet in their goodie bag. The company will also provide gel packets in the athlete warm-up tent.

Holiday Inn Express Village West: The host hotel for the championships, conveniently located just minutes from the race course, is offering a special room rate of $104/night.

Maxxis: The cycling equipment company is providing samples of many of its products for giveaway and podium prizes for non-national championship races.

Mount Pleasant Winery: National champions will receive a bottle of fine wine from Mount Pleasant Winery. (Winners must be of legal drinking age.)

Muddy’s: The event’s coffee, pastry and fruit/granola/yogurt parfait provider will set up a full-service espresso and coffee bar (latte, mocha and hot chocolate) in the Expo. Every registered competitor and event volunteer will receive a coupon for one free cup of coffee!

Specialized: The official bike sponsor of Nationals will have its full outdoor demo truck on-site, with bikes and other products to try out.

SRAM: As official supplier of neutral support, SRAM will provide mechanical assistance to all competitors.

VeloNews: “The Journal of Competive Cycling” will provide daily coverage of the championships on its website.

Verge Sport: Athletes and spectators can buy high-quality and warm KCCX-branded wool socks, hats and T-shirts from Verge Sport. All three items may be ordered through the race website or purchased at the Expo.

Vendor space in the Expo is still available. Contact KLM Marketing Solutions for details by sending e-mail to: info@kccrossnationals.com.

More than 1,500 athletes have registered to compete in races that feature more than two dozen categories over four days. Athlete registration is open through Dec. 8 (midnight EST). Official race apparel is on sale through the event’s official website, www.kccrossnationals.com.

Online Press Room Opens; Credentialing Begins

Kansas City, Kan. – Media members wishing to cover the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships are invited to apply for credentials through the event’s official website, www.kcccrossnationals.com.

Media credentialing is open to a number of outlets: newspapers, industry/trade publications, news wire services, TV and radio reporters, freelance writers and online publication representatives. Guidelines for applying for credentials may be found in the website’s press room.

A list of past national cyclocross champions, complete results from the 2006 USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships and a list of frequently asked questions about the sport of cyclocross are currently available in the press room. More information including elite athlete bios, mugshots and action photos will be posted as the event draws nearer.

The USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships will take place Dec. 13-16 in Wyandotte County Park in Kansas City, Kan. Athlete registration is open through Dec. 8 (midnight EST). Official race apparel is on sale through the event’s official website, www.kccrossnationals.com.