Elite Men & Women: 2010 USA Cyclocross National Championship

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Adam Myerson On The Future Of USA Cyclocross 3277 views

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December 10, 2010

Speakers: Adam Myerson

Categories: Interview

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16 comments

Tym 2 years ago

yes I've seen an A race in Oregon, I've raced 'em.I'm talking about the B races more, overblown fields with people who've never raced before being celebrated as "lots of participation" I just feel is ridiculous. If you're racing Bs it should probably be because you want to be and can be competitive, otherwise stick to the Cs. Perhaps two mens C fields going out at different times would work best? I don't know.
Having one set of barriers in a cross race makes a fine cross race. That's what you'll encounter most elsewhere. Pavement is fine - its not a mountain bike race. Trouble passing at the GP? It had plenty of great passing sections. I went from last row to front 20 (in Men's Bs), it wasn't an issue. That's the trouble more with crusade races I find is the passing. I'll give you that Washington County & Rainer were good courses. I really liked Sherwood too.
Course design standards are there for a reason, to make skills in the sport transferable between different regions. And to keep it from being indistinguishable from mountain biking, which its not (nor should they be used in CX races).
Hate to break it to half of PDX, but 'Cross wasn't invented here. Nor is it the pinnacle. I'm not saying its bad here either, so don't take offense. I've raced in a bunch of different regions and I do make Portland my home - so obviously I don't hate it here. I do think, however, if people care about the sport as a sport they'll recognize that the level competition is higher elsewhere, and elsewhere goes by standards set by USAC and the UCI. They are not some conspiracy to keep you from having fun. They are there to help athletes compete at higher levels and keep the competition fair. They enforce things like - prize minimums. Which at $25 bucks a race and plenty of sponsors, a certain large series could certainly raise theirs for the Elite categories...

davemess 2 years ago

I"m a little confused as to what you are talking about here? Have you seen an A race in oregon? All the cross crusade races were LUCKY to get 60 guys in the A category. Not exactly a huge field. So what structure are you talking about then?

The USGP, the best course of the year? Hardly. I would take Rainier, Barlow, Washington County Fairground, or even Alpenrose over the GP courses.
Having a millilon tight turns and 180s, little elevation change, and only one set of barriers, (along with a bunch of pavement), doesn't make a good cyclocross course. Especially when you have large amateur fields. The passing at USGP was pretty difficult, and I definitely would not put that course as the best in Oregon all year.

Tym 2 years ago

To clarify, I don't mind the party atmosphere. In face I enjoy it. I just think the A and B categories should have more structure and the Cs/Beginners left to run amok as they will...

Tym 2 years ago

"dirt Jesus,"
I think the Oregon CX would do well to take a lesson from UCI structure and course design. The best course I rode in Oregon this year was the USGP course.
The category system and field limits exist for a reason, to make the higher category races not a clown show of people basically walking the course. It's a race, not a party.

change 2 years ago

I find it very telling that Mr. Johnson admitted there isn't anyone in charge of each of the cycling disciplines (road, mtb, track, BMX, CX) and yet he talks about imposing structure on the Verge series. You have got to be kidding me! Check out his interview. How incompetent can an organization get? USA Cycling is way beyond a joke, and I understand why so many people hate it so much. I think we should organize a boycott of USA Cycling. I, for one, will not renew my USAC licence for next season and will only support non USAC events. Something has to change at USAC! They need to help and work with promoters! They need to listen to racers, and they need to get their heads out of the sand about just how angry people are getting about this kind of stuff.

Yo 2 years ago

@race day, What do you mean "one person"?? Colt has interviewed a bunch of people about this. Take a look to your left and watch the interview he did with USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson. It doesn't get any more "other side of the story" than that.

race day 2 years ago

So, when are we going to hear the other sides to this story? There are a lot of fingers being pointed and assumptions being made, but only one person has been interviewed.

As for the Pro XCT - that was created by the USAC National Events department, so before you criticize, you should realize the first year (2009) was mostly Category 3 events and has now grown to seven (7) Category 1 & 2 events for 2011.

barry 2 years ago

Hunter:

No one is criticizing Adam. I suggest you listen to what he said at the beginning of the tape. He did not get answers to his questions from USAC: enforcement of rules, what's being enforced, who approves races, how do races get rejected, who rejects races.

Hunter 2 years ago

All you USAC haters need to think before you type.....
Adam is dead on right on a lot of these issues.
There is always another side to the story.

dirty_juheesus! 2 years ago

Adam,

You just don't get it. The UCI/USAC will variably enforce the rules to meet their end. They took advantage of your desire to grow the sport and now they are done with you.

I don't know why you want to take their punishment because Cross Crusade and competitive cycling in Oregon is doing great without the UCI.

Barry,
USAC is a proxy for the UCI in the U.S. That's it. There is zero interest in promoting the sport independent of the UCI's goals. Making rules about helmet cams is region-specific to better manage legal risk. That's all USAC will ever do.

Mr. Smith 2 years ago

Looks like you UCI USAC Cross race organizers are in the same boat as the UCI USAC Pro XCT race organizers. You both have to deal with the USAC National Events staff/department. Do you see the common thread here?

Maybe if the USAC National Events staff/department ran UCI type things by their Technical Director....

Barry 2 years ago

... something else to float up stream for USAC to blow off. If they REALLY want to grow the sport, why not give promoters in areas with little racing a break in fees they pay to USAC? The savings could be passed down to racers and more people just might race. It woulds be nice if USAC would actually DO something for the sport rather than make up silly rules about helmet cams.

Kipling Taylor 2 years ago

very interesting discussion. i'm fairly new to following cyclocross, but these issues are mirrored somewhat in american sportscar racing. the french based ACO writes the technical and sporting regulations for the sport, but all of those rules don't always make sense over here, across the pond from europe and the 24 hours of lemans. the ALMS has found ways to work with the ACO and make things work in america.

i hope the same happens for cyclocross!!! it is a great sport. =)

Greg 2 years ago

tire width/size
as a 200 pound American, I often think to myself "why does the UCI NOT want me to race cross?"
if you weigh a buck forty-five then a 32mm tire is fine on a cross course full of tree roots. but as a 200 pounder? not so good.
so why take away my 34mm option? is it because the UCI doesn't want big Americans doing cross?

please send that message "upstream" from America to the UCI.
thanks

Barry 2 years ago

...make changes up stream? really? If that's true, I'd like to see USA Cycling lower the race license fee so more people can afford to race. Times are hard, ya know.

mr 2 years ago

I don't know that we have the ability to make changes up stream. communication in that direction seems very difficult if not censored and/or limited at times. Nice interview, great job as always. Minutes of the meeting? Did colt video it all?

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