Cyclocross World Champions Day 1 Fayetteville, AR

There are countless reasons to love living in Northwest Arkansas, and as a bike lover, one of the things I love most about NWA is its vibrant biking culture. That’s why I was very excited to see the Cyclocross World Champions Day, right here in Fayetteville. This is only the second time a cyclocross world championship has been held in the United States, so that’s even more exciting!

Cyclocross competitors and their fans from all over the world came to Fayetteville on October 16, 2022, to take on the grueling cyclocross track for a chance at prestigious World Cup glory. The event was sponsored by Walmart.

The World Cup event was part of a weekend-long festival featuring professional and amateur cycling races, and bike races for kids.

Read on to learn more about the results of the World Cup race, the sport of cyclocross racing in general, and where you and your bike can have a great time in Fayetteville! We’ll also talk about what you need to participate in cyclocross yourself.

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Who Won?

In the women’s category, the top spot was earned by Fem van Empel of the Netherlands. The 20-year-old finished the course in a hair over 50 minutes. Van Empel was followed closely by Lucinda Brand and Annemarie Worst, both from the Netherlands.

In the men’s category, Eli Iserbyt of Belgium was the winner, followed by Laurens Sweeck, also from Belgium.

What Is Cyclocross Racing?

Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing where riders from all over the world compete on multiple laps of a short course (generally under two miles) featuring a variety of surfaces and obstacles. It is believed that cyclocross racing started in Europe in the early 1900s, perhaps as a way for cyclists to stay in shape during winter and improve their on-road bike handling skills.

Courses are designed to require riders to navigate on-road and off-road. They can include, but are not limited to:

Roads
Forest paths
Meadowland
Mud
Planks
Sand pits

These courses often require competitors to dismount, overcome obstacles (sometimes by having to carry their bikes), and then quickly return to racing. Because cyclocross competitions typically occur in the winter, inclement weather often becomes yet another obstacle.

If you’re an outdoorsy person who doesn’t like biking (or hiking), check out my other article about five different outdoor activities that don’t include biking or hiking.

What Is the UCI?

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), headquartered in Switzerland, is the world governing body of cycling, as recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The UCI was founded in 1900 by the Belgian, French, Italian, Swiss, and United States National Federations.

In the United States, USA Cycling is recognized by UCI as the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the US, including cyclocross.

Ready To Try Cyclocross for Yourself?

Are you an avid cyclist who’s looking to try something new? Do you enjoy a challenge? Do you love to spend time outdoors in all sorts of weather? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you might be ready to give cyclocross a try!

The cyclocross coaches at USA Cycling offer these basic training tips:

Practice the techniques that will help improve your time, such as mounts and dismounts.
Running is an important skill in cyclocross. Spend some training time running or jogging up and down hills to build more muscle and endurance.
Wear the proper shoes. A mountain bike shoe with a flexible toe and stiff heel will work best for the pedaling and running you’ll be doing in cyclocross.
Mountain bikes or road bikes modified for off-road use will work well in cyclocross; choose the style most comfortable for you.
Short, intense training sessions that include aerobic and anaerobic exercises will be most effective for the short, intense cyclocross course.

The Right Bike

Just as there are bicycles specifically designed for road use, speed racing, and mountain biking, there are also bikes designed for the sport of cyclocross. In general, cyclocross bikes are a cross between a sturdy mountain bike and a lightweight, agile racing bike. Cyclocross bikes need to be sturdy enough to handle the hilly, twisty, multi-surface courses while still being lightweight enough for riders to carry them when necessary.

The best tires for cyclocross bikes:

Can be used at low pressure without an increased risk of going flat.
Have sufficient tread to handle wet or frozen course surfaces.
Are easily removed from the rims in the case of flats.

Proper Clothing

Because cyclocross events generally take place in the winter months, the best clothing to wear is what will keep riders warm without adding too much extra weight. Thermal underwear, tights, and long sleeves are popular, as are one-piece “skinsuits” made of spandex and designed to be warm and also prevent riding up or exposing bare skin.

The Best Bike Trails

Northwest Arkansas is home to some of the country’s best biking trails. Whether you are on the road to becoming the next cyclocross world champion or looking for a scenic bike ride with your family and friends, these trails have exactly what you’re looking for.

Centennial Park: Located in Fayetteville and featuring lots of dirt tracks and rocky paths, Centennial Park is the perfect place to practice cyclocross. In fact, it’s the site of the US cyclocross competition!
Slaughter Pen and the Back 40: Located in Bentonville, these hiking and biking trails include jumps, ramps, rock paths, dense forest paths, and much more.
Hobbs State Park: Located in Rogers, Hobbs is Arkansas’s largest state park, spanning a 12,054-acre tract along the southern shore of Beaver Lake. This is one of the most beautiful areas for a bike ride, hike, or even a weekend camping adventure.

After the Ride

One of the best parts of a great bike ride is refueling afterward! If you’re riding the trails in Fayetteville, be sure to head to the Prelude Breakfast Bar afterward for a filling meal and some great coffee.

In Bentonville, the Meteor Cafe is the place to go for you AND your bike! You can get a great post-ride meal here and simultaneously have your bike repaired!

If your bike adventures take you to Rogers, be sure to check out Wesner’s Grill, the oldest restaurant in Benton County!