The North American Cyclocross Trophy - Races

September 19:
Full Speed Ahead Star Crossed - "The Twilight Floodlit Cyclocross Party"
King County's Marymoor Park, Redmond Washington (C2)
First presented in 2002 Star Crossed was the nation's first twilight cyclocross race. Now, it is the much anticipated season opener to the US cyclocross season kicking-off each year in style under the lights of the Group Health Velodrome on a fast and spectator friendly course surrounded by a festive atmosphere. Star Crossed features great racing, DJ spun tunes, packed Deschutes Brewery beer garden, racing under the lights and the generous door prizes.

September 20:
Rad Racing GP - "The Kona Knapptime Run-up"
Ft. Steilacoom Park, Lakewood Washington (C2)
The longest running UCI cross race in the state of Washington, 2009 will be the 8th year for the Rad Racing GP. The event is contested at Ft. Steilacoom Park, in Lakewood Washington, on one of the legendary courses in the Pacific Northwest. From the youngest junior to World Champions and Olympians, they have all tested themselves at Steilacoom. The main feature of the course is the 80 meter thigh busting "Kona Knapptime Run-up". Riders either really love it or they hate it, either way its classic Steilacoom and it's what sets the course apart from all others.

October 3-4:
Gran Prix of Gloucester - "The New England Worlds"
Stage Fort Park, Gloucester Massachusetts (C2/C2)
Known nationally "the New England Nationals" - unfolds at one of the most beautiful race venues in the country: a wind-swept ocean side park in Gloucester MA. Winners of Gloucester are a veritable who's who of cyclocross: Johnson, Vervecken, Trebon, Anthony, Powers, Bessette, Dunlap, Knapp and more. 2009 marks the 11th edition.

October 17-18:
Toronto International Cyclo-Cross - "Speedsters and Mountain Goat Courses"
Centennial Park, Toronto Ontario (C1/C2)
The most challenging cyclocross race in Canada. Two distinct and very different courses; one designed for mountain goats and the other for speedsters. 13th year in the venue, the 3rd as a UCI race. Toronto is within 1 day's drive from the cross hot spots of Eastern and Mid West North America. Host housing will be available for competitors. In 2008 the top 5 men included Johnson, Powers, Jacques-Maynes, Timmerman, Shriver. top 5 women were Elliott, Wentworth, Wellons, Anderson, Jacques-Maynes

Powers commenting in Velonews: "The [speedster] course was really cool," said Powers. "Honestly it was one of the best races I've ever done, all the features reminded me of some of the better courses I've done in Europe. It was technically challenging, but in a good way. If you rode hard and rode well it wasn't a problem, but you really had to pay attention." And Johnston discussing the mountain goat course said, "At first the course seemed pretty straightforward - up the hill and back down kinda thing. But after riding it I found that there was much more to it and actually liked it."

October 31:
Blue Sky Velo Cup - "Haunted Cross"
Xilinx Campus, Longmont Colorado (C2)
The Blue Sky Velo Cup opens up a weekend of top level racing on Halloween in Longmont, just a few miles from Boulder. The Blue Sky Velo Cup was the highest attended cyclocross race in Colorado in 2008 with close to 600 racers. Saturday's race at the Xilinx campus is a Colorado favorite and host of past national level racing and the Colorado state championships. The course is physically, technically, and mentally demanding and who knows what ghosts and goblins will be lurking around.

November 1:
Boulder Cup - "The Rocky Mountain Classic"
Harlow Platts Park, Boulder Colorado (C1)
The Boulder Cup tops off a weekend of racing in this cycling mad community in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, The Boulder Cup has become the largest cross race outside of CrossVegas. Sunday's race is in Harlow Platts Park, a bowl-like stadium setting with a 360 degree view of the action that includes grassy climbs, the "sand trap", fast straightaways, and 5,000+ spectators.

November 21-22:
Whitmore's Landscaping Super Cross Cup - "The Hamptons"
Southampton Youth Services Park, Southampton New York (C2/C2)
Historically seen as the highest paying cyclocross race in North America, Whitmore's Landscaping Super Cross Cup is the North American Cyclocross Trophy series finale. Set in the idyllic Hamptons, only 90 minutes from Manhattan, it's aptly viewed as a playground for the rich and famous of New York. Known more for beaches and polo grounds, it's rapidly becoming a featured event on many top cyclocross racer's calendars. The super fast, physically demanding course features a who's who of the North American cross scene, with past winners including Erwin Vervecken, Ryan Trebon, Tim Johnson, Barry Wicks, and Mark McCormack.