2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky
Sven Nys wins his second Elite World Championship over Klaas Vantornout in Louisville, KY. © Nathan Hofferber
On February 2nd, 2013, the world’s best cyclocross racers descended on Louisville, Kentucky to fight for the honor of wearing the rainbow jersey as the 2013 World Cyclocross Champion. They came from the birthplaces of ’cross: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. They came from France, England, Japan and the United States. They came to compete on the first course ever to host a World Championships outside of Europe. They stampeded across Eva Bandman Park – a park specifically designed for the sport of cyclocross – running the limestone stairs, riding the deep sand, and sprinting the long straightaways as thousands of fans lined the course to cheer them on, so close they could see the sweat on a racer’s brow.
Yet the race, due to imminent flooding, almost didn’t happen.
In the week prior, the world’s masters riders (those racing ages 35 and above) competed in their age categories for their own Worlds titles, making this the week of champions. Whether you are a grizzled veteran or had never heard of the sport of cyclocross, this was a week of racing not to miss!
