The 2017 USA Cyclocross national championship is just days away. Elite and amateur athletes alike are in the final stages of preparation for this year's events in Reno, NV. Here's what to expect in Reno, plus our prediction for the Elite Men's and Women's races.
THE WEATHER
As of this writing, the American Southwest is stuck in a pattern of warm, dry weather, with daily high temperatures in the 50's. Low-to-mid 40's in Reno is more typical... the course is dry currently, but the long-term forecast shows chance of rain/snow mix and colder temps leading up to the race.
WHERE
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
1595 N. Sierra St.
Reno, NV 89503
There is a video preview of the race course available.
WHEN
January 9-14, 2017, with the Elite races on Sunday Jan 14th.
STREAMING
A live stream is likely, keep an eye on RideCX social media for info as the event approaches for details.
ODD FACT
Due to a quirk in the USA Cycling schedule, there will be two national championship events in 2018. The first, January 2018 in Reno, wraps the 2017/18 season. The second, December 2018, wraps the 2018/19 season, as USA Cycling switches back to holding nats before Christmas each year.
OUR PREDICTIONS
Elite Men
Favorites: Stephen Hyde attempts to defend his title. He's coming off a Europe campaign plagued by some bad luck and mechanicals, but also some good results recently. He'll be challenged by Tobin Ortenblad who was winning everything on the domestic side early in the season, and Kerry Werner, plus last year's Silver medal Jamey Driscoll.
Contenders: Jeremy Powers (3rd, CrossVegas this year, and 4-time national champ) attempts to rebound from an injury-plagued season.
Also Watch: Curtis White, Spencer Petrov, Cody Kaiser, Justin Lindene, Gage Hecht. Keep an eye out for 4-time national champion and World Silver medalist, Jonathan Page, in what might be his final go-round at the Elite level.
Elite Women
Favorites: No one besides Katie Compton has worn the stars and stripes for more than a decade. She is the clear favorite until an American woman can match her engine and bike handling skills. Ellen Noble has shown she can ride with Compton at times this year in the USA and Europe, and also brings a newfound ability to hop the barriers that other women have not matched yet. Katie (Antonneau) Keough is coming off two Bronze medals in a row and looking to move up on the podium.
Contenders: Crystal Anthony, Elle Anderson. Anderson has finished as high as 2nd at cyclocross nationals previously, and will be coming off the experience of another full-time Euro race schedule, but hasn't shown she can match Compton's horsepower this season. Recently she took her first Euro win, a sure confidence booster.
Also Watch: Riders like Courtenay McFadden, Cassandra Maximenko, and Rebecca Fahringer all figured in the ProCX series results this year and can animate this race. Don't look for fan favorites Katerina Nash or Caroline Mani in this one, although they are based in the USA both fly another flag and thus aren't eligible for USA national titles. Amanda Miller, last year's silver medalist is not racing cyclocross professionally for the 2017/18 season.