What is cyclocross?
Louisville's Eva Bandman Park is proud to become the premiere cyclocross venue in the United States!
Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing that combines different types of racing elements - wooded trails, graded, steep hills and obstacles that require the rider to dismount, carry the bike over or around the obstruction, and remount.
Metro Parks began construction of the course at Eva Bandman in 2009, and completed the course prior to the 2010 USGP Derby City Cup. The course combines scenic views of downtown Louisville and the Ohio River but still employs trecherous features such as sand mounds, numerous run-ups, "flyovers," and wooded areas that will pose challenges for even the most experienced riders.
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| A map of the world-class cyclocross course at Eva Bandman Park. Click on the map for a larger version. |
Metro Parks spent $125,000 on construction for the park, which will host the 2012 Masters and 2013 Elite and Masters UCI World Cyclocross Championships.
Other facts about cyclocross:
- Cyclocross bikes are similar to racing bicycles: however, they utilize knobby tread tires typically seen in mountain bikes
- Cyclocross riders are allowed to change bicycles if need be and receive mechanical assistance during races
- Races typically take place in autumn and winter, when course conditions are at their most challenging
- Although the sport first took hold in Europe (Belgium, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic), it's getting substantial footing in the United States. Louisville was chosen by the Union Cycliste Internationale, cycling's international governing body, to host the 2013 Elite Cyclo-cross World Championships and the 2012 and 2013 Masters Cyclo-cross World Championships.{Learn More}
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| To see photos of the Oct. 21 press conference that opened the course, click here. |
More about the Bandman Course:
- It will be possible to host several races at Bandman at the same time for various levels - from kids to extreme - of riders
- The natural and man-made features, as well as multiple surfaces will provide a great opportunity for training
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We received a very nice note in support of the cyclocross venue from the Red Zone Cycling team!
Click on the image to read the note. |
| On the web:
For video of the Bandman cyclocross construction, with narration by Metro Parks Assistant Director Marty Storch, click here.
For more information on USA Cyclocross, click here.
For more information on the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross, click here.
For more information on the Union Cycliste International, the sport's governing body, click here.
For a recent Courier-Journal article on the cyclocross course, click here.
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