Toronto International Cyclo-cross Races

The Toronto International Cyclo-cross races are taking place at Centennial Park. Cyclo-cross is fun to race and fun to watch!

The action is hardcore. International level riders race to gain world ranking points, money — a share of over $21,350 — and mainly the glory of leaving their competitors exhausted, splattered with dirt and in their dust. They must jump hurdles, race up grades so steep or slippery that it is faster to run up them with their bike on your shoulder, make so many turns so fast that you get dizzy watching, hop barriers like an Olympic hurdler, ballerina and weightlifter combined or end up performing a face plant in the mud, come down hills so fast and slippery that you just know they’re riding a knife edge between crashing and success... It’s fun, it’s cool, it’s got crashes, flying through the air and it’s heart stopping exciting action!

And some more blatant copying from their media kit:

"The pair of UCI-C1 Cyclo-Cross races is expected to attract daily 250+ professional, elite amateur to raw newbies from all parts of Canada and the US. Early indications are that the best of the US best will be in attendance.

"The race utilizes the west side of the ski hill and Sunday uses the east side and the ski hill itself .

"Toronto International Cyclo-Cross featuring men’s and women’s Elite races is sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) the recognized world governing body of cycling plus semi-pro, amateur, beginner and youth races — a race for everyone from 8 to 70 years of age. UCI-C1 races are one small step below World Cup status. They are used to determine who will represent their nation at the Cyclo-Cross World Championships. The amateur races for masters (over 35 years), youth (8 to 19 years of age) and beginner adults are sanctioned by Ontario Cycling Association (OCA), the governing body of cycling in Ontario.

"Additional activities include:

• an experiential area where anyone can try riding a cyclo-cross bike
• beer garden, food concession and expo area

"Prize Package: Combined prize money for the UCI-C1 Elite races is over $21,350. Additional cash and product prizes will be awarded to the competitors in the OCA races."