While the 2020 national championships were canceled, USA Cycling has now confirmed the 2021 Cyclocross National Championships will be held at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL on December 7-12 at DuPage County, IL.
In February, we pointed out that the UCI schedule had the USA Cycling National Championships scheduled in Chicago, while USA Cycling listed it as TBD. It’s now official, and the UCI calendar was accurate.
The 2020 Nationals were originally scheduled for Cantigny Park, and announced in May, 2019.
Due to the improved state of the pandemic, USA Cycling has moved the 2021 event back from its briefly-relocated 2020 location of Iowa City, and will now take place in IL.
Illinois health restrictions made holding the 2020 event impossible, and worsening case numbers and difficult logistics forced USA Cycling to cancel the event at the Jingle Cross site in Iowa City.
The DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau / DuPage Sports Commission are partnering with USA Cycling to host the event.
Cyclocross Athletes from around the country will compete for 34 national titles in cyclocross, including categories qualifying for the coming UCI cyclocross world championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This will be only the second time the cyclocross world championships have been held on US soil.
Championship races will include events for riders 11 through 90 years of age, as well as divisions for collegiate, U23, Elite racers and the ever-popular Singlespeed race.
Last year, we interviewed USA Cycling about holding Nationals during a pandemic. Hopefully December 2021 will make holding a safe, well-attended event an easier task.
Stay tuned for developments as we approach cyclocross season.
See the full USA Cycling press release below.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Cycling announced today the date and location of the 2021 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships. The event, scheduled for December 7-12, 2021, will return to DuPage County, Ill., at Cantigny Park, where racers will compete among the military tank park.
Attendees of the National Championships will have the opportunity to visit both of Cantigny Park’s museums in Wheaton, Ill. At the First Division Museum, they can learn the stories of soldiers from the First World War to modern times and form their own opinions about our past and present military history. Participants will also have the opportunity to walk through the grounds of the McCormick House, home of Robert R. McCormick, publisher and editor of the Chicago Tribune, and the setting of the fictional home of Walter Harvey in the movie A League of Their Own.
“We’re eager to bring riders to Cantigny Park in DuPage County after the 2020 edition was canceled due to the pandemic. We’ll see a fast course with built features and off-camber sections highlighting Butterfly Hill,” said Tara McCarthy, Director of National Events.
“On behalf of Mayor Suess of Wheaton and our many partners, we look forward to welcoming cyclists, their families, and enthusiasts to Cantigny Park for this long-anticipated event,” said Beth Marchetti, Executive Director of the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Cantigny serves as the perfect backdrop for the DuPage County experience – rich in history and culture amidst a beautiful natural setting. We hope that participants will extend their stay to discover the many sides of DuPage – where you can find the adventure you want and the space you need.”
Championship races will be held for riders aged 11 through 90, collegiate, U23, and elite racers, along with the ever-popular Singlespeed race. In addition to the championship events, non-championship races will occur for local beginner riders to test themselves on the same course as the championship racers.
With a priority on the safety of all involved at our Nationals Championships, all dates and locations are subject to change dependent on the COVID pandemic status.
More info: usacycling.org
