International Field of Cyclists Descend on Louisville for 10th Annual Derby City Cup Nov. 5-6
Weekend Showcases 60 Categorized Cyclo-cross Races for Top Juniors, Masters and Pros
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2016) – – The sports spotlight will shine on Eva Bandman Park in Louisville for international cycling the weekend of Nov. 5-6, 2016, as the Derby City Cup returns for a 10th year. Both days of cyclo-cross events for elite athletes will include Category 1 and Category 2 races sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body for the sport of cycling. Derby City Cup is one of eight events in the country that offers C1 races for women and men on the USA Cycling Professional Cyclo-cross Calendar (Pro CX), the highest level of professional cyclo-cross racing in the United States.
Managed by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) and Cadence Sports, the Derby City Cup expects to attract more than 1,200 cyclists to compete in 60 categoried cyclo-cross races. Both days will feature the Mudfund UCI Elite Junior races for men, ages 17-18. Derby City Cup is one of four events in the country that offers UCI-sanctioned races for 17-18 year olds for both days of racing.
There are also sanctioned races offered for masters (35 years or older), non-UCI juniors (13 to18 years of age), and collegiate men and women (A, B, C). Each day will culminate with the Papa John’s UCI Elite Women’s and Papa John’s UCI Elite Men’s races, with the C1 events featured on Saturday. A former junior national champion, 18-year-old Spencer Petrov of Mason, Ohio, will be competing in the Elite Men’s races for the first time in Louisville. He was second in the Elite Junior race last year.
“The Derby City Cup is a favorite event for the best professional cyclists from across the country, as well as Canada, France and other countries where cyclo-cross is the ‘Tour de France’ for winter cycling,” said Karl Schmitt, Jr., president and CEO of the LSC. “The Louisville race caps three full weeks of cyclo-cross events in Ohio, and racers look forward to competing at the world championships course at Eva Bandman Park. We also offer multiple categorized races to include juniors and collegiate cyclists, which will only help with developing the next generation of top pros returning to Derby City Cup.”
In 2009, Louisville Metro government made a significant investment in the 60-acre Eva Bandman Park to create a world class cyclo-cross course that includes a permanent fly-over and many sport-specific features. Designed by one of the top course designers in the business, Eva Bandman Park offers scenic views of downtown Louisville and the Ohio River; and hosted the 2013 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, and the 2012 and 2013 UCI Cyclo-cross Masters World Championships. Its signature limestone stairs run-up area is located adjacent to the food truck area. Spectators will also enjoy commentary by race announcers and all-day music. Admission is free for spectators. Parking inside the park is $5 per car. There is no parking along River Road or along the entrance to the park.
Registration for cyclists ranges from $15 for the junior events to $50 for UCI elite races. Online registration can be found at www.usacycling.org/register/2016-2077; it closes on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. ET. Same-day registration is available for non-UCI events beginning at 6 a.m. on race weekend.
Saturday, Nov. 5
8 a.m. Races begin for amateurs
2:55 p.m. UCI Elite Juniors 17-18 (40 minutes)
3:50 p.m. UCI Elite Women C1 – Pro CX (45 minutes
4:50 p.m. UCI Elite Men C1 – Pro CX (60 minutes)
Sunday, Nov. 6
8 a.m. Races begin for amateurs
2:30 p.m. UCI Elite Juniors 17-18 (40 minutes)
3:25 p.m. UCI Elite Women C2 – Pro CX (45 minutes
4:50 p.m. UCI Elite Men C2 – Pro CX (60 minutes)
For a detailed schedule of events, visit thederbycitycup.com. Volunteer registration is available at 2016derbycitycupvolunteers.my-trs.com. Follow the race on Facebook (Derby City Cup) and on Twitter (@DerbyCityCup). Follow the Pro Cyclocross Calendar on Twitter at @USACProCX.
Cyclo-cross 101
Cyclo-cross is a hybrid between road cycling and mountain biking. Riders race around an off-road circuit on bicycles that look very similar to road bikes but have been built to take on the demands of rougher off-road racing. Circuits are typically 1.5 to 2 miles long, and feature obstacles that may force the rider to dismount their bicycle. Multiple laps showcase these elite riders’ phenomenal skills and amazing speed.