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2003 US Cyclo-cross Nationals - CN
Portland International Raceway, Portland, Oregon, USA, December 12-14, 2003
The 2003 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships start on Friday, December 12 at the Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon. On the line will be the coveted stars and stripes jersey awarded to the U.S. National Champion in each of 27 categories, culminating with Sunday's elite men's and women's competition.
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In the elite men's category, Jonathan Page will be returning to defend his national title from 2002. Page has spent the early part of this season racing on the European circuit and is considered one of the favorites for the title. Todd Wells, currently the highest-ranked US rider on UCI points, and the top-ranked rider on the U.S. circuit is likely to be the strongest challenger to Page. Clif Bar duo of Jackson Stewart and Andy Jacques-Mayne has also enjoyed a successful early season and could pose a threat.
Other challengers include Marc Gullickson and relative newcomer Ryan Trebon, while dark horse Mark McCormack can't be discounted. The Saturn pro has ridden a limited 'cross campaign this year, but would like to add a national cyclo-cross jersey to go with the USPRO road jersey he won this summer in Philadelphia.
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In the elite women's category, Alison Dunlap has shown strong form with a silver medal effort at the UCI World Cup race in St. Wendel, Germany and a dominating victory at the Verge New England Cyclo-cross Series race in Gloucester, Mass. Dunlap, who won the national title in 2001 will fend off challenges from the defending National Champion, Anne Grande, and the one-two punch of Clif Bar teammates, Carmen D'Alusio and Gina Hall, who hold the top two spots in the national rankings respectively.
Racing begins at 10:00am on Friday, December 12 with the Collegiate Women's category and continues throughout the weekend.
