Virginia’s Blue Ridge Go Cross Cyclocross Joins National Race Series

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Go Cross, presented by Deschutes Brewery, has been invited to join the USCX – the prestigious U.S. cyclocross series – further solidifying Virginia’s Blue Ridge as a premiere cycling destination.

“Our overall goal is to host four weekends of premier racing for both elite and amateur fields in the amazing sport of cyclocross,” says Scott Page, USCX series co-founder and executive director of Rochester Cyclocross.

Professional and amateur cyclocross racers will kick off the USCX series in Roanoke September 17 and 18, followed by Rochester Cyclocross, Baltimore’s Charm City, and then the Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross in Falmouth, Massachusetts.  All races will be globally viewable via livestream.

Elite men and women who ride in the four USCX races will be competing for an overall series prize purse of $15,000. One day of the race will also be upgraded to C1 status as defined by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), affording riders extra points. UCI is the world governing body of cycling; riders compete in cyclocross races throughout the world, earning points that in turn lead to automatic invitations to compete in the national and world cyclocross championships and world cup.

“If you look at the history of Go Cross over the last five years you’ll see this constant push to be bigger and better” says Kerry Werner, winner of the 2021 USCX men’s elite field. “Events like Go Cross and the community around the event are a big reason Emily and I moved to Roanoke in 2020. To have an event of this caliber one mile from my front door is like a dream come true.”

Since its inception, Go Cross has grown to bolster the appeal of cycling races in the Roanoke Region to national audiences and ultimately paved the way for other pro events like the VBR Ironman 70.3 and USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championships, and the relocation of Team Twenty24 to Roanoke.

Roanoke Outside, organizer of Go Cross, promises a variety of fun tailgate events including a “Doggie Cross” event where dogs and owners will run a smaller course, a “Lil Belgians” race for young kids, a Deschutes Beer Mile relay race for adults, and more. The event will also have a Deschutes Brewery beer garden, food trucks, and a wading pool. Entry and parking are free for all spectators.

You can find out more about cyclocross as well as how to race, spectate and support Go Cross at www.gocrossrace.com.

More news on the 2022 USCX series: