Major US 'cross series to add events?

The organisers of the North American Cyclocross Trophy announced last week that the series would continue for its second year with an eye at adding events.This year, the series consisted of eight races, two in Washington, the Gran Prix of Gloucester in Massachusetts, the Boulder Cup in Colorado and the Whitmore's Cross Cup in New York.

The parallel series, the US Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross is also looking to expand in 2009, series director Joan Hanscom announced in Portland on Sunday.

The dual announcements beg the question, can the US 'cross scene support competing series? Currently there are 39 UCI ranked cyclo-cross races in the USA, with two C1 races just across the border in Ontario. Of those, 16 were part of the two series this year. Of the remaining events, only CrossVegas, Granogue, Wissahickon and Ohio's BioWheels 'cross have earned the C1 ranking but are not a part of any series.

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.