Crank Brothers US Gran Prix of Cyclocross kicks off Saturday

The 2006 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross will kick off its national series on the legendary fields of Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Mass. on October 7-8 with two days of world class racing at the Gran Prix of Gloucester presented by SemEquip.

A true New England cyclocross classic, the Gran Prix of Gloucester guarantees great courses and unpredictable weather, all in one of the country’s true hot beds of cyclocross. These two days of intense racing are hosted at Gloucester's Stage Fort Park -- voted one of the top venues for its challenging course, dramatic waterfront location and event organization in a recent VeloNews poll. New for 2006 will be a kid’s race held on Sunday sponsored by Essex County Velo.

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

The Gran Prix of Gloucester races are part of the Crank Brothers US Gran Prix of Cyclocross --the premier cyclocross series in the United States. The six race series attracts the best racers from across North America who compete for the series overall championship and an automatic USA Cycling world championship berth.

Expected in the race are a growing number of elite-level domestic racers out for a winter workout. In the men's field, Todd Wells (GT) will wear the the stars and stripes as the current national champ. He''l be up against 2005 USGP series champion Barry Wicks (Kona), roadie and three-time USGP 'dross race winner Tim Johnson (Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com), 2004 USGP series winner Ryan Trebon (Kona), mountain bike short track super stud Adam Craig (Giant) and former USPRO champion Mark McCormack (Clif Bar) among others.

In women's events, expect to see Canadian and 2005 USGP series winner and retired roadie Lyne Bessette (CyclocrossWorld.com/SRAM), tqo-time US National Champion Katie Compton (Spike Professional - who will be racing her first full elite season of cross - see related interview), Wendy Simms (Kona), US MTB national champion Georgia Gould (Luna), stalwart 'crosser Anne Knapp (Kona) and regional breakout rider Maureen Bruno-Roy (Independent Fabrication/Wheelworks) among others.

Check back on Cyclingnews for full results, photos and race reports from Gloucester.