November 19, 2004 – An exciting season of domestic ‘cross racing will
conclude next month with the USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships
in Portland, Ore. Slated for Dec. 10-12, the finest ‘cross racers in the
U.S. will come together at the Portland International Raceway to compete
for 23 stars and stripes jerseys.

Looking to secure a third consecutive title in the Elite Men’s category
will be Jonathan Page (Tilton, N.H.). The ’02 and ’03 champion will have
to overcome talented rivals however, as 2003 USPRO Champion Mark McCormack
(North Easton, Mass.) presently holds the top American spot in the UCI
rankings and will likely be Page’s biggest threat. Also searching for that
coveted stars and stripes jersey will be Marc Gullickson (Boulder,
Colo.), who has had a strong season thus far and leads Americans in the
U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclo-Cross Series. Ryan Trebon (Ventura, Calif.) and
Barry Wicks (Corvallis, Ore.) will arrive in Portland in strong form, both
with notable wins this season, and riders like 2004 Olympian Todd Wells
(Durango, Colo.) and Adam Craig (Corinth, Maine) are also considered solid
contenders.

The Elite Women’s field will be missing six-time winner and reigning
National Champion Alison Dunlap (Colorado Springs, Colo.), but will
nevertheless be just as packed with talent as the men’s field. Ann Knapp
(Des Moines, Wash.), current leader in the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclo-Cross,
won the national title in 2002 and is considered one of the favorites this
year. 2004 Olympian Mary McConneloug (Fairfax, Calif.), top ranked
American woman in the UCI standings – Anna Milkowski (East Chatham, NY),
Barbara Howe (Larkspur, Calif.), and Gina Hall (Ashland, Ore.) will all
line up as strong contenders for this year’s crown.

The U23 race will see efforts from current Gran Prix of Cyclo-Cross Series
leader Matt White (Longmeadow, Mass.), defending national champion Jesse
Anthony (Beverly, Mass.), and last year’s bronze medalist Zach Grabowski
(Lafayette, Colo.).

At the end of the weekend, 23 individual titles will have been awarded to
elite, junior, masters, collegiate, and U23 riders. One college team will
earn the distinction of National Collegiate Team Champion.