World’s #1 and #2 Ranked to Race in Las Vegas
Longmont, Colorado – The organizers of Clif Bar CrossVegas have revealed what could be the strongest women’s field in the 8-year history of the season-opening race.
Squaring off on Wednesday September 10 in Las Vegas will be the number 1 and number 2 ranked riders in the world, Katie Compton of the U.S. and Helen Wyman of Great Britain.
The women’s field will be competing for a prize list equalto the men’s field with almost $9,000 in cash plus valuable UCI points as a result of the Category 1 status of the race.In addition CrossVegas is part of the season long U.S. ProCX Calendar awarding $40,000 in prizes. Women from 6 nations competed in the 2013 version of the race at least that many nations expected for this year.
Compton, ranked number 1 in the world standings, is theoverall winner of the World Cup and a two-time winner of CrossVegas. The Trek Cyclocross Collective rider returns after an absence of several years. “I'm looking forward to starting my season in Las Vegas this year. I've skipped this race in previous years to delay the start of a long season but decided I couldn't miss it again,” Compton commented.
Compton went on to say, “I'm sure this year will be super hard with fast competition from the mountain bikers coming off their world champs as well as true cross racers dialing it up for the early season. I look forward to some suffering and being cheered on by some creative hecklers!”
Wyman is currently ranked number 2 in the worldstandings following a stellar 2013 season that included a silver medal at the World Championships and a win in the European Championships. Wyman commented on her plans, “I'm really excited to be racing in Las Vegas in 2014. CrossVegas is a standout event on the world calendar.”
Team LUNA Chix brings their usual dominating strength to CrossVegas including Katerina Nash of the Czech Republic. Nash has taken a podium spot every time she lines up at CrossVegas with 3 wins including 2013. Joining Nash will be teammates Catharine Pendrel of Canada who was 3rd in 2013, Georgia Gould of the U.S. who is always among the top finishers, Teal Stetson-Lee and Maghalie Rochette of Canada who was 10th in her first CrossVegas in 2013.
Other notables vying for a win under the lights of Las Vegas will be:
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Rising American star Elle Anderson who comes to CrossVegas before departing on a European career with Belgium-based KDL Cycling Team. Anderson finished in the top ten at CrossVegas 2013 and capped her season with a silver medal at the U.S. national championships.
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Caroline Mani of France of the Raleigh-Clement squadwho be looking to kick off her cross season using the fast start she is renowned for.
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The “ British Invasion” continues with Gabby Durrin who finished in the top ten in CrossVegas 2013 andDiane Lee who finished 3rd in the National Championships in 2013.
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Meredith Miller of the U.S. who is a perennial top ten finisher at CrossVegas riding in new colors for Noosa Professional Cyclocross Team.
Race Director Brook Watts adds that more competitor announcements on both the women’s and men’s side will be coming shortly as racing schedules are finalized for the season.
About CrossVegas
Clif® Bar CrossVegas is organized by Watts Marketing Inc. of Longmont Colorado and has become a fixture on the U.S. cyclocross calendar. It is the largest cyclocross race outside of Europe attracting 10,000 spectators to Desert Breeze Soccer Complex in Las Vegas on Wednesday September 10. Complete information including schedule, hotel information, sponsorship and admission is available at www.crossvegas.com. Follow on Twitter @CrossVegas.Sizzle Video: http://youtu.be/HIj7urH0pwo
2013 Clif Bar CrossVegas women’s podium from left Lea Davison (2nd), Katerina Nash (1st) and Catherine Pendrel (3rd)
Photo Credits
Award Podium: Courtesy CrossVegas.com
