Cyclocross World Cup Could Be Held in New York, UCI Sport Director Suggests

Cyclo-cross
Cyclocross World Cup Could Be Held in New York, UCI Sport Director Suggests

The UCI Cyclocross World Cup could be held in New York, UCI sport director Peter van den Abel said.

Normally, the UCI approves the World Cup at a Management Committee meeting held during the UCI Cyclocross World Championships. Van den Abert explained to Sporza that the schedule will not be announced until February 24.

"There are still thorny issues that need to be resolved," Van den Abeele said.

One of the thorny issues is the complaint from riders that the World Cup schedule is too demanding, with races every weekend from September until the week before the World Championships. Travel to such far-flung destinations as Val di Sole, Benidorm, and Dublin is straining national federations' budgets.

Van den Abel dismissed the criticism. 'There is always a debate about the number of races. I don't think there are too many, but we have to keep expanding to the big cities and we have to keep the classics."

When asked which major cities might be on the schedule, van den Abel expressed his willingness to explore the possibility, revealing that he is in talks with race organizers in New York.

Cyclingnews checked with the organizers of the UCI cyclocross race in Rochester, and they have not bid for the World Cup. There are currently no other UCI 'cross races in the state.

Cyclingonline.nl reported that Beekse Bergen will not apply for the World Cup and will instead bid for the European Championships.

Van den Abel also said that the World Cups in Benidorm and Dublin were doing better than expected, suggesting that they are moving forward to continue, and confirmed London as a near-term candidate and Munich further down the road.

Van den Abel also hinted that there may be only one World Cup in the United States next season. The U.S. hosted three test events for the 2022 World Cup in 2021, in Waterloo, Iowa City, and Fayetteville. That Arkansas event attracted a stellar lineup of athletes who gathered to preview the course for the World Championships.

In 2022, Iowa City lost its bid and riders complained about the move from Waterloo to Fayetteville.

"Fayetteville is discouraged by the small size of the field and may only host one race in the U.S. next season," Van den Abel said, adding that it would save the team money.

What is not in question is this weekend's round at Hogelheid, which was packed with fans of the World Championships.

"For me there is no argument," van den Abel said. 'Hogelheid is a classic city and it deserves it. They have already hosted three World Championships and 16 World Cups."

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