Following the success of the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Hogelheide, UCI Sport Director Peter van den Abel hinted at future venues for the UCI World Cup series, including New York, Munich, and even Johannesburg, South Africa, He hinted at a wide range of venues, including New York, Munich, and even Johannesburg, South Africa.

However, such ambitions seem unlikely to materialize.

UCI and World Cup series organizer Flanders Classics is trying to globalize and grow cyclocross by convincing major cities to host races that compete with traditional Dutch and Belgian race organizers. Dublin and Benidorm will host the World Cup this winter, and London may soon follow suit.

The expansion has taken a toll on traditional European racing, with cyclocross teams and national federations struggling to cover the extra costs of racing across Europe and especially across the Atlantic.

Only Waterloo, Wisconsin will host a World Cup race in the US in 2023-2024.

Brooke Watts has been instrumental in the growth of cyclocross in the US for the past decade, organizing the first US World Cup, CrossVegas. He favors a more global cyclocross calendar, but has struggled to see how a race in New York is viable.

"I don't think it's possible from an economic standpoint to have a cyclocross World Cup on Manhattan Island, let alone in Central Park," Brooke Watts told Cycling News in Belgium during a personal trip to Europe for the world championships.

"New York doesn't need cyclocross races. Maybe they are talking to someone from the New Jersey or Connecticut side of New York, but it's not the same as racing in New York and it's almost as expensive."

CrossVegas was successful for several years because it was held in conjunction with the Interbike trade show each September.

A second World Cup was also held in Iowa until 2022, making a move to the Midwest logical and easy for European teams. The same would not be true for a race in New York.

"Two World Cup races in Waterloo and Iowa was the ideal scenario," Watts explained.

"The team could easily fly to Chicago, race in Waterloo, drive to Iowa, race there, and then fly back to Europe from Chicago. It was a perfect triangle trip without having to cross the United States. Getting to New York would be more complicated and expensive."

He is concerned that European teams and riders might choose not to go to the US for just one World Cup.

"Trek is putting on a great event, but one World Cup in the US could hit a wall," Watts warns.

"Peter van den Abel's comment that it would be cheaper for the teams to have only one World Cup in the US is the exact opposite of what we always say. Otherwise, no one would come. If there is only one World Cup in the US for the next few years, it would be easier for teams and riders to just skip it."

"For some reason, the UCI and the people they talked to thought it was better to ditch Iowa after the 2022 World Championships and go to Fayetteville They thought it would be better to go. Sadly, there is no sign of Iowa coming back. There are about 30 elite men and women on the starting line in Waterloo and about 10 countries represented, but is that the true World Cup?

"I fear that if the cyclocross World Cup in the US struggles, the UCI and Flanders Classics will change their strategy and do something else in Europe. That could happen.

Watts suggests a second World Cup race in Chicago instead of New York.

"I would bring cyclocross to Chicago.

"It went well in Benidorm, with local interest from Flemish and Spanish cycling fans on vacation. Since SRAM is also in Chicago, someone should try to convince them to join." Could make for a great course.

Watts is concerned about the future of cyclocross in the US after the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of gravel riding and racing.

He hopes that global sponsorship will change.

"I love globalization and have said so for years. I think it can help cyclocross grow.

"If a Belgian team manager, who hates globalization for cost reasons, ever gets a global sponsor, he will be the first to go global.

"Trek is an example. TrekLions of Valoise has no problem racing in the US. If we can find a global sponsor, others will do the same. That's what we have to aim for."