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 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.
2021 Schedule
| Date | Event | Location |
| August 10-15 | Training Camp | Bentonville, AR |
| September 23-26 | Rochester Cyclocross (Group A) | Rochester, NY |
| September 30 - October 3 | Charm City Cross (Group B) | Baltimore, MD |
| October 21-24 | Kings CX (Group A) | Mason, OH |
| October 28-31 | Major Taylor 'Cross Cup (Group B) | Indianapolis, IN |
| November 4-7 | The Northampton International (Group A) | Northampton, MA |
| November 8-12 | Training Camp | Massachusetts |
| November 13-14 | Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross (Group B) | Falmouth, MA |
Program & Cost
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.
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?
2022 Applications Coming Soon
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 29-30, 2022: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
2022 Cyclocross World Championships Selection Document - Discretionary Petition Form
For more information, please visit: UCI Cyclocross World Championships
World Cups
October 10, 2021 Waterloo, WI, USA - Start Request/Petition Form
October 13, 2021 Fayetteville, AR, USA - Start Request/Petition Form
October 17, 2021 Iowa City, IA, USA - Start Request/Petition Form
October 24, 2021 Zonhoven, Belgium - Start Request/Petition Form
October 31, 2021 Overijse, Belgium - Start Request/Petition Form
November 14, 2021 Tabor, Czech Republic (M U23, M&W Junior races) - Start Request/Petition Form
November 21, 2021 Koksijde, Belgium - Start Request/Petition Form
November 28, 2021 Besançon, France - Start Request/Petition Form
December 5, 2021 Antwerpen, Belgium - Start Request/Petition Form
December 12, 2021 Val di Sole, Italy - Start Request/Petition Form
December 18, 2021 Rucphen, Netherlands - Start Request/Petition Form
December 19, 2021 Namur, Belgium (M U23, M&W Junior races) - Start Request/Petition Form
December 26, 2021 Dendermonde, Belgium (M U23, M&W Junior races) - Start Request/Petition Form
January 2, 2022 Hulst, Netherlands - Start Request/Petition Form
January 16, 2022 Flamanville, France (M U23, M&W Junior races) - Start Request/Petition Form
January 23, 2022 Hoogerheide, Netherlands (M U23, M&W Junior races) - Start Request/Petition Form
2021-2022 UCI Cyclocross World Cup Qualification Criteria
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: 2021-2022 UCI Cyclocross World Cup
Continental Championships
2021 Pan American Championships - Garland, TX, December 5th, 2021
Development Opportunities
2021-2022 Cyclocross Development Program Details - Christmas Trip Application Form
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
Cyclocross Director
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.