Iowa City voted top destination of Cyclo-cross World Cup races during 2017-18 season
Iowa City has left its mark on the worldwide cycling scene.
Organizers of the Jingle Cross and Telenet UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup races on Thursday accepted the award for top global destination of the 2017-18 season. A news release said teams, riders, media, sponsors and Union Cycliste Internationale — cycling’s international governing body that oversees the World Cup — voted to award Iowa City's race as the top event.
"It is an incredible honor for Jingle Cross to be named the Best Cyclo-cross UCI World Cup. This award speaks to the dedication of Jingle Cross staff, volunteers, sponsors and the great people of Iowa City and Johnson County," John Meehan, race director and Jingle Cross co-founder, said in the release. "Their hard work and love of cycling over the past 15 years has enabled Jingle Cross to grow into one of the premier cycling events in the world."
World cup 2017:
- Dogs, drinks, racing, reveling: Cyclo-cross World Cup race director Meehan's must-sees
- Cyclo-cross World Cup: Iowa City leg offers fun, excitement
Iowa City competed with nine other destinations for the recognition, the release said, and is only the second destination outside of Europe to earn the award. Last year's race was the second time the city welcomed the world for the cyclo-cross World Cup.
Josh Schamberger, president of the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitor's Bureau, told the Press-Citizen in February that Iowa City and Johnson County will host the international riding community for a third time this year, Sept. 28-30 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.
World Cup 2016:
- Volunteers make Jingle Cross/Cyclo-Cross World Cup possible in Iowa City
- Jingle Cross, World Cup put Iowa City in world spotlight
- Belgium, USA dominate IC cyclo-cross World Cup
Jingle Cross will be the second stop in the Telenet UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup's 2018-19 season after the series opens in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Before then, the city will be an overnight host to thousands of cyclists participating in RAGBRAI this summer.
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- RAGBRAI 2018 theme revealed: Riders will 'Book it to Iowa City' this summer
- Iowa City's ped mall will be under construction as RAGBRAI rolls through town this summer
"It has been an honor to welcome the world's best athletes to our community and we love celebrating and showcasing the sport to the world," Geoff Fruin, Iowa City's city manager, said in the release. "Being recognized as the premiere cyclo-cross event in the world is a humbling honor that we accept with great pride. We look forward to continuing to raise the bar for the sport with each future Jingle Cross that we host."
As with the past two World Cup events in Iowa City, there will be a full schedule of amateur races, a gravel ride, product expo, local vendors and activities. All proceeds from the races will benefit the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Reach Andy Davis at 319-887-5404 or at aldavis@press-citizen.com, and follow him on Twitter as @BylineAndyDavis.