Compton, Hyde lead reduced USA team for cyclo-cross Worlds
USA Cycling will not be fielding the maximum allowed number of riders in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Bogense, Denmark next month since, for the first time in several years, the country failed to crack the top five in the nations rankings to earn six riders for the elite men's race.
While the US women were ranked number 1 in the world, the men - thanks in part due to the illness and injuries of Jeremy Powers and Stephen Hyde - are ranked eighth behind top-ranked Belgium, the Netherlands, France and the Swiss, Czech, Italian and Spanish programmes.
USA Cycling came under criticism for opting to choose four instead of the maximum five allowed riders for the U23 Women's race at Worlds, saying that only three riders had met the selection criteria, and one rider was chosen based on 'future medal capability'.
The full roster of elite women will be headed up by 15-time national champion Katie Compton, ranked 8th in the world, Katie Keough (4th), Ellen Noble (14th) with Samantha Runnels (32nd), Elle Anderson (33rd) and Rebecca Fahringer (34th) rounding out the squad.
National champion Stephen Hyde and Pan-American champion Curtis White will lead the elite men's squad with top-ranked Kerry Werner (18th), Anthony Clark (39th) and Cody Kaiser (57th). Tobin Ortenblad and Jamey Driscoll declined selection due to injuries, while Jack Kisseberth also qualified but declined his position.
Jesse Anthony, USA Cycling's Cyclo-cross manager, said the country was fielding strong teams for both elite races.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com