The North American Cyclocross Trophy series starts its third season in Seattle, Washington with a pair of long-standing cross classics this weekend: StarCrossed and the Rad Racing Gran Prix.
The 8 races series kicks off with StarCrossed on Saturday 18 September at the Marymoor Velodrome in the suburb of Redmond. First presented in 2002, StarCrossed is the nation’s first twilight cyclocross race. Now, it serves as the much anticipated season opener to the US cyclocross season. StarCrossed features racing, DJ spun tunes, a Deschutes Brewery beer garden, racing under the lights and generous door prizes for spectators. Racing for the Elite Women starts at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm for the Elite Men at King County’s Marymoor Park.
StarCrossed will also answer the question of who will don the first 2010 NACT leaders jersey heading into the Rad Racing Gran Prix the following day.
The Rad Racing Gran Prix is longest running UCI ’cross race in the state of Washington. 2010 marks the 9th year for the stalwart event, which will be held on the shores of Lake Sammamish in eastern Seattle. The famous 80 meter thigh busting “Knapp-time Run-up” from past editions of the Rad Racing GP will be replaced by a equally long beach section that will surely challenge riders as they gamble on riding it or running it. Racing for the Elite Women starts at 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm for the Elite Men and Lake Sammamish State Park.
Organizers of StarCrossed and Rad Racing GP have worked together to create “Four Perfect Days of Cyclocross in Seattle” with activities that include the Seattle premier of the new Brian Vernor cyclocross film “The Cyclocross Meeting,” a cross clinic for all abilities led by Jonathan Page and two days of great cross racing.
The NACT series resumes October 2-3 with the Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester in Gloucester, MA.
Key changes for the 2010 NACT series will be an equal prize list for men and women. Also new for 2010 is rider travel support for the top 3 riders each race weekend to recognize the effort and expense top competitors face in racing the series. Finally, a change was made for 2010 to base the final series championship on a rider’s best 6 of 8 race results to account for any illness, injury or mechanical difficulties that can occur over a 10-week season.
2010 NACT Schedule
- 9/18 - Star Crossed p/b Stanley - A brand of PMI - Seattle, WA
- 9/19 - Rad Racing Gran Prix p/b Hammer Nutrition - Seattle, WA
- 10/2-3 - Great Brews Gran Prix of Gloucester - Gloucester, MA
- 10/30 - Pedal to Properties Colorado Cross Classic - Boulder, CO
- 10/31 - Victory Circle Graphix Boulder Cup - Broomfield, CO
- 11/20-21 - Whitmore's Landscape Super Cross Cup – Southampton, NY
