Photo Essay: UCI Cyclocross World Championships

The UCI Cyclocross World Championship were held off European soil and made their way to Louisville, Kentucky for the first time in UCI history.

For American riders, this is an opportunity to have a home court advantage for the first time in their careers. But what actually is Cyclocross?

‘Cross is a high-energy mix of outdoor bicycle racing held during the worst times of the year, fall and winter. Racers use road bikes with modifications that allow larger tires for more traction. Racers deal with conditions such as snow, ice, mud, water and sand. Courses go up and down hills, around corners and even up and down stairs, requiring riders to dismount from their bikes and carry them over obstacles. Think of Tough Mudder, but with bicycles. Races typically last 40 to 60 minutes depending on rider level and happen on a closed course where riders do laps. This makes it an easy sport to spectate as riders are continuously passing by.

This year, with the World Championship held in Louisville, the United States had a taste of how much fun a ‘cross event could be. With beer flowing, mud flying and snow falling, spectators had an amazing race to watch. Although no American racers medaled for the Men’s Elite class, American rider Katie Compton took the silver medal in Women’s Elite.

A Men’s Elite cyclocross racer navigates through a muddy, flat, straight away before heading up a large hill on his last lap of the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013.
A cyclocross racer shows exhaustion as he approaches barriers he will soon have to lift his bike and jump over at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013.
A Men’s Elite cyclocross racer, representing France, zooms past a barrier at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013. 
The typical view of a bike after one lap of the muddy course. Professional riders often have three or more bikes they swap out every lap for a clean, new bike at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013.  A cyclocross racer, representing Canada, slides around a muddy corner while crossing under the Canadian flag held by a spectator at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013. 
A cyclocross racer, representing the United States, navigates his way down a slick, muddy hill as spectators cheer him on at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013. 
A Women’s Elite cyclocross racer navigates through a sand pit while another racer follows behind at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013. 
A Women’s Elite cyclocross racer, representing Italy, shows signs of fatigue at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013. 
Cyclocross fans stand in mud, cheer and strip down to their bathing suits in 30 degree weather to show support for their favorite riders at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013. 
Only one lap in, bikes already start to get covered in mud from the course at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013. 
A British Men’s Elite cyclocross racer is covered in mud after a few laps around the course at the Cyclocross World Championship race held in Louisville, KY Feb. 2, 2013.