Team USA
Cyclocross
Wheel-sucking sand pits, uphill barriers, and unpredictable weather and course conditions. Check out the riders competing on the international circuit, and the programs that help Team USA dominate those events.
About Cyclocross
Cyclocross is a unique discipline of cycling that can best be described as riding a road bike with off-road tires around a technical, multi-surface circuits that require the riders to make tactical decisions due to challenging course features. Since the cyclocross season generally takes place from September to February, adverse weather conditions such as snow, rain, wind and mud often alter racing conditions. These technical elements along with the unpredictable weather and course conditions all add to the sport’s allure.
Join The Team
USA Cycling is pleased to be able to better support our aspiring athletes and grow the sport of cyclocross in the U.S. with the support of the MudFund. Our goal is to elevate the experience of our athletes and fans alike, and we are grateful to the Cyclocross community for carrying on the tradition of digging deep and keeping this sport fun. The cyclocross development program is designed to create a complete pathway from entering the sport to finishing on the podium at the highest level.
Here's a look at how you can enter the Olympic Development pathway and work your way on to Team USA:
Join The Olympic Development Camps
Check back for more details coming soon.
For more information, please visit: Olympic Development Camps
Join The Olympic Development Academy
USA Cycling’s Olympic Development Academy (ODA) for Cyclocross is the best comprehensive cyclocross development program in North America for junior and U23 athletes. Even though cyclocross is not an Olympic discipline, we still want to offer CX athletes Olympic-level support. The program has been designed to offer you the best coaching and experience outside the National Team. The goal of the program is to allow you to fully experience and understand what it takes to become a World Championship caliber athlete by receiving coaching focused on your individual growth and exposing you to all the sport science that goes behind creating World Champions.
The ODA puts you, the individual, in charge of your athletic development and in front of the coaches and program directors that manage our World Championship programs. The program runs over several months, and during that time, you will receive individualized coaching and support, and the opportunities to train and compete in top-level events in the USA.
Semester Breakdown
Throughout the cyclocross semester, Academy athletes will focus on physically and mentally preparing for top-level competition by spending time on world-class cyclocross courses and working on start skills, cornering techniques, positioning, race-craft, off-camber riding, generating speed by utilizing momentum and more. Another portion of the program will focus on Strength and Conditioning sessions that will target correct lifting techniques and introducing specific cyclocross training techniques. Workshops will also be included regarding nutrition, sports psychology, athlete wellness, anti-doping education, professional advancement and developing training and racing strategies.
Cyclocross racing opportunities will be available in the US. The goal of these events will be to educate riders on all aspects of the planning and preparation that will help them perform their best on race day. These events are the perfect place to put into practice everything the athletes have been working on throughout the semester. Riders will receive a full world-class treatment and experience.
UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 13, 2021:
We have put together a cohesive competition and camp schedule for the Spring and Fall semesters with the hopes we would be back racing at the beginning of 2021. Our goal is to provide the best development opportunity for athletes by creating a world-class cycling experience. With the current state of the world, we do not feel that we can create that environment at this time.
With that in mind, the Olympic Development Academy will be run as one Super Semester in 2021 and anyone who has applied for the 2021 Spring and/or Fall semesters will be in consideration. The associated costs per semester will stay the same for the single semester, which means an extension of benefits with no additional cost. We are extending the application period. We will share another update on Wednesday, February 17th with more specific information on important dates & deadlines, schedules, etc.
Schedule
We're still ironing out the details for 2021, but here's an idea of what to expect:
2021 Fall Semester (Group A)
| Date | Location | Trip Length |
| August | TBD | 6 days |
| September | Dependent on ProCX Schedule | 4 days |
| October | Dependent on ProCX Schedule | 4 days |
| November | Dependent on ProCX Schedule | 4 days |
| November | TBD | 5 days |
2021 Fall Semester (Group B)
| Date | Location | Trip Length |
| August | TBD | 6 days |
| September | Dependent on ProCX Schedule | 4 days |
| October | Dependent on ProCX Schedule | 4 days |
| November | TBD | 5 days |
| November | Dependent on ProCX Schedule | 2 days |
*SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Cost of Attendance
The Olympic Development Academy costs $10,000 per semester with the add-on of team clothing for $500 each year. Other additional cost may be incurred. For a cost breakdown and information on scholarships, click here.
Want to join the Olympic Development Academy?
APPLY NOW
Important Dates
| 2021 Super Semester | |
| Application deadline for Academy & Scholarship | TBD |
| Academy applicants finalized & contacted | TBD |
| Registrations completed for accepted athletes | TBD |
| Olympic Development Academy athletes publicly announced | TBD |
What is the National Team?
USA Cycling is proud to support our National Team athletes who champion the sport of cycling and are the ultimate ambassadors for Cyclocross. USA Cycling will support National Team elite athletes with logistical and team support upon request. Each athlete on the national team will receive unique support to best address each athlete’s needs in terms of timing and type of resources. USA Cycling will work with our elite athletes’ trade teams to help maximize the combined resources. Our goal is to ensure that our top riders have everything they need to perform at the highest level.
For criteria on how to qualify for the national team and information on the levels of support, click here.
MEET THE TEAM
World Championships
January 30-31, 2021: Ostend, Belgium
2021 Cyclocross World Championships Selection Criteria
2021 Cyclocross World Championships Selection Companion Document
For more information, please visit: UCI Cyclocross World Championships
2021 Cyclocross World Championships Discretionary Petition Form
World Cups
November 29, 2020 Tabor, Czech Republic - Start Request Form
December 20, 2020 Namur, Belgium - Start Request Form
December 27, 2020 Dendermonde, Belgium - Start Request Form
January 3, 2021 Hulst, Netherlands - Start Request Form
January 24, 2021 Overijse, Belgium - Start Request Form
2020-2021 UCI Cyclocross World Cup Qualification Criteria
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: UCI Cyclocross World Championships
Continental Championships
2020 Pan American Championships - Canceled
Selection Committees
USA Cycling is responsible for selecting the athletes who represent the United States in the highest level of international competition. For more information on the general selection process, click here.
Podium Bonus
Did you just have a top result in the World Championships or Olympic Games? You may be eligible for a bonus from the USOPC and USA Cycling. Click here to learn more.
Jesse
Anthony
Background
Jesse joined USA Cycling as the first full-time Cyclocross Manager in December of 2018 after a professional racing career that spanned from 2006-2018. He brings over 20 years of competitive and development experience to the USA Cycling National Team, and is a passionate advocate of holistic athlete development. His experience and knowledge of the development and elite competitive environment help to set USA Cycling’s National Team athletes up for sustainable success in the future. Jesse grew up in Beverly, MA, and is now based at USA Cycling’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO.