News

Cyclo-Cross Grand Prix comes to Jackson Park this weekend

Kerry Werner edges a competitor in a photo finish at the 2021 Grand Prix.

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 14, 2022

The North Carolina Cyclo-Cross Series will host races 9 and 10 in its 12-race 26^th anniversary season at the Hunter Subaru North Carolina Grand Prix this weekend at Jackson Park.

Now in its 17th year, the NCGP attracts domestic, and international professional racers, as well as regional amateurs, for two full days of bicycle racing Saturday and Sunday.

Registered pro cyclists for the event currently include Jolanda Neff, current Mountain Bike Olympic gold medalist; Hannah Arensman, 2021 Day two winner; Kerry Werner, 2021 day two winner; and Brevard resident Caroline Mani, current ProCX series leader, 2021 ProCX winner and 2016 silver medalist at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships.

This year the Hunter Subaru NCGP be the final event in USA Cycling’s Professional Cyclocross Calendar (ProCX). The NCGP is one of the last chances for racers to earn points toward rankings for the 2022 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships, beginning Dec. 6 in Hartford, Connecticut.

The Jackson Park racecourse takes advantage of the varied terrain at the venue. Racing will start at 8:30 a.m. both days, with the featured UCI Elite Women starting at 1:15 p.m. and the UCI Elite Men starting at 3:25 p.m. This year NCGP will also feature the UCI Junior 17-18 Women and Men categories at 10:05 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The event is free for spectators. The course can be viewed almost entirely from the top of “The Wall,” with views of the Beverly-Hanks barriers, pits, and Bike Law steps, features which provide racers with unique challenges. Vehicles from Hunter Subaru will be on display and food is available from local vendors. Jackson Park will remain open all weekend for public use, but there will be no through traffic during the event. The best entrance into Jackson Park for the event is from the Glover St. entrance located off Spartanburg Highway.

Pre-registration for collegiate, category, masters and elite racers is open online until Thursday, Nov. 17 at 11:59 p.m. Day-of-registration is available online for non-UCI races and closes 60 minutes prior to the start of each designated race. There is an additional $15 fee for day-of registration. Register at www.bikereg.com.

For more information regarding the Hunter Subaru NCGP or the series, visit at www.nccyclocross.com. Follow NCGP on Facebook (NCcyclocross) and Twitter (@NorthCarolinaCX). Follow the ProCX races on Twitter at @USACyclingLive #ProCX.

Cyclocross is a fast-paced, spectator-friendly cycling discipline that combines road and mountain bike aspects, requiring riders to switch terrains and at times dismount and run or carry their bikes. Racers range from junior riders to master’s categories, and novice-expert races are offered. The North Carolina Cyclo-Cross Series was founded in 1997 and consists of 12 races each season across North Carolina. The full schedule and racer information can be found on the NCCX website at www.nccyclocross.com. BMW Southern Region Centers are the 2022 series sponsors, with support from Bike Law. For more information regarding the NCCX series visit the NCCX website at www.nccyclocross.com or contact series founder Tim Hopkin at (828) 674-9782.