Cross Crusade nears 800-rider mark
They do like their cyclo-cross in Oregon. The Cross Crusade series organizers report that the October season-opener at Alpenrose Dairy in Portland drew 798 racers, making it the largest one-day ‘cross race ever held in the United States.

Some 760 racers tackled the Alpenrose course last year, organizers say.

"The popularity of cyclo-cross racing in the Northwest continues to amaze us," said Brad Ross, director of the 15-year-old series. "The turnout speaks to the accessibility and fun of cyclocross, despite how physically demanding the sport is."

The series, sanctioned by the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA), will pay more than $20,000 in prize money as well as awarding merchandise.

For results from the race (it’s a long list), click here. For more info about the 2006 Cross Crusade series, click here.

Crank Brothers USGP kicks off Saturday
The six-race Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross debuts this weekend in Massachusetts with two days of racing at the Gran Prix of Gloucester.

"We're excited to once again host two stops of the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross series," said race director Paul Boudreau. "Being a part of the series for the past two seasons has helped the Gloucester event meet and exceed its goals of bringing world-class racing to New England."

Defending series champs are Barry Wicks (Kona) and Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-SRAM), who failed to win just one race in last year’s series. Among other riders to watch are:

Men: Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com), a three-time winner at the GP of Gloucester; national champion Todd Wells (GT); and national mountain-bike champ Ryan Trebon (Kona), who took the USGP crown in 2004; and had USGP race wins at Portland and Gloucester in 2005.

Women: Two-time U.S. national champ Katie Compton (Spike Professional), who is racing her first USGP season; Wendy Simms (Kona), runner-up behind Bessette in the 2005 USGP series; and Georgia Gould (Luna), the reigning U.S. mountain-bike champ.

For more information on the USGP, see www.usgpcyclocross.com.

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