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The East Coast meets in New Jersey for the UCI weekend hosted by HPCX. photo by Rutgers Cycling on flickr

The East Coast meets in New Jersey for the UCI weekend hosted by HPCX. photo by Rutgers Cycling on flickr

Elite professional cyclists from around the United States and the World will compete October 18th and 19th in New Jersey’s premier cyclocross event, HPCX (UCI C2).

Hundreds of spectators and athletes will visit Thompson Park in Jamesburg, NJ during the Saturday and Sunday races. As the only UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) race in the United States the third weekend in October, HPCX expects to draw a competitive field for the elite men’s and women’s races. With the opportunity to ride on the same course as the pros, the weekend will also feature men’s and women’s races of all categories, including juniors, and the experienced 35 and 45+ age groups.

New for 2014, the race expands from a one-day event to a two-day race weekend.

The race, presented by the Highland Park Hermes cycling team and Rutgers University Cycling team, is a 15 year long tradition that attracts professional cyclists as well as collegiate and amateur cyclists. This year’s event also features a 5k run through the park, welcoming runners to join in the exciting atmosphere.

Former US Olympian and multiple time US National Cyclocross champion Todd Wells will headline the Elite Men’s field.

“We are excited to expand the race to a weekend-long event and happy to be ever improving.  We love our connection to both the international cycling community and the local cycling community here in New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic Region”, said Craig Callan, veteran HPCX promoter.

HPCX is the second longest running UCI Cyclocross race in the United States.

The sport of cyclocross first gained its fame in Europe and has been a popular sport in the United States for over 50 years. The race course covers various terrain (dirt, grass, mud, sand, and pavement) and can feature steep hills, tight turns, and obstacles that require the rider to dismount and carry the bike over barriers, up stairs or hills, and navigate other obstacles on 1-2 mile loops, ridden for a specified amount of time.

HPCX is part of the Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross Series and is brought to you by  Efinger Sporting Goods, Highland Park Hermes and Rutgers University Cycling.