Cyclocross Fandom Is Alive and Well—The Trek World Cup in Waterloo Proves It

It took a proverbial lifetime for the European cyclocross hierarchy to compete in the United States. In 2013, American cyclocross fans had their first North American chance to see the best of the sport in competition at the Cyclocross World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky. Now, each season, fans are treated to multiple World Cup events.

This year’s campaign kicked off at a familiar venue, Trek Headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Current World Champions—Marianne Vos and Tom Pidcock—and two of the sport’s biggest stars—Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel—were notably absent. So who was in attendance for Sunday’s main event? The fans. For all of the “cross is dead” sentiments, it was very much alive this weekend. Loads of fans crowded the fence lines to cheer on riders they may only see once or twice a year. Aside from the racing, weekend highlights included perfect fall weather, parties, and a secret bar in the woods.

On Sunday, October 9, the women’s field stormed onto the course, ushered by the usual clanging of cowbells and swirling dust. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado set a frantic pace establishing a select group at the front. U.S. National Champion Clara Honsinger had hopes of repeating her Friday afternoon victory in the Trek XC Cup C1 women’s elite race, but seemed to dangle just out of reach of the leaders for the entirety of the race. Alvarado, Fem van Empel, and Lucinda Brand were left to sort out the final laps. In the final few meters, van Empel outsprinted Alvarado for the win, and Brand held on for the final spot. American rider Madigan Munroe finishing 9th, and perennial competitor Caroline Mani from France wrapped up the top 10.

For the men’s race on Sunday, Belgian Eli Iserbyt looked to repeat his previous year’s opening campaign with another victory in Waterloo. Lars van der Haar opened things up off the line, Iserbyt wasted no time upping the ante. For 60 minutes, Iserbyt maintained a ferocious pace that allowed him to open up a gap that only Laurens Sweeck could attempt to replicate. In the end, Iserbyt rolled across the line solo, followed by Sweeck and van der Haar.

By the time the dust settled and the pop-up tents were stashed away in their bags, it was clear that the cyclocross pulse beats strong in America. The atmosphere of these big events is infectious and regardless of gravel’s popularity, it doesn’t hit the same as thousands of in-field fans going berserk.

Long live cyclocross!

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