Iowa City lands cyclo-cross World Cup

Already home to one of the largest annual cyclo-cross events in the nation, Iowa City has now landed one of the sport's most prestigious international events.

Local cycling and tourism leaders announced Friday that Union Cycliste Internationale, cycling's governing body, has named Iowa City as the host city for a Cyclo-cross World Cup date this fall.

The World Cup competition will be Sept. 24 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds — the site of the Jingle Cross races, which draw thousands of cyclists and spectators annually.

Iowa City will be the second date on the 2016-17 Cyclo-cross World Cup circuit that begins Sept. 21 in Las Vegas and includes seven dates across Europe. Iowa City joins Las Vegas as the only cities in North America to play host to what has been described, at least in the U.S., as the Super Bowl of the sport.

The Cyclo-cross will be moved from its traditional November or December dates to the week of the World Cup event. The Jingle Cross, which draws about 2,500 amateur and professional cyclists each year, will be held Sept. 22, 23 and 25 — bookending the World Cup competition.

Josh Schamberger, president of the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events the area has landed in his 15 years working in local tourism. Schamberger said the World Cup is expected to attract 15,000 spectators, be televised internationally and have an economic impact of $1.2 million on Johnson County.

"A lot of people don't know what cyclo-cross is, but everyone in Europe does," Schamberger said. "Not only will this attract thousands here, but it will appear on eight million televisions in Europe live. It's a pretty big opportunity for Iowa City and Johnson County to shine."

Cyclo-cross combines aspects of mountain biking, road racing and cross country running, with cyclists traversing a closed-circuit course that requires them at times to dismount and navigate obstacles while carrying their bikes.

In a news release announcing the bid, the sport's current U.S. national champion, Jeremy Powers, praised Iowa City's selection.

“The course at Jingle Cross is one of the best in America,” Powers said in the release. “I always look forward to racing in Iowa. I’m excited that this year, I’ll be racing it as a World Cup.”

John Meehan, the Jingle Cross' founder race director, traveled with Schamberger and Iowa City Manager Tom Markus in November to Belgium, where they hand-delivered Iowa City to be a host city to international cycling officials.

Meehan said a dedicated group of volunteers has helped turn Jingle Cross into the U.S.'s largest race in its 14 years, and the World Cup is the next step.

"It's awesome; I'm jumping up and down here," Meehan said Friday. "Adding a World Cup event to it takes it this to another level."

Reach Josh O’Leary at joleary@press-citizen.com or 887-5415, and follow him on Twitter at @JD_OLeary.