With local cross practices brimming with anxious riders, the Ohio Valley region is preparing for a fantastic 2007 season of cyclo-cross racing. Area promoters have worked hard in the off-season to pull together a racing schedule packed with quality: events that span the cities of Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and Indianapolis; featuring 4 UCI-sanctioned events, 2 U.S. Gran Prix races, and the USCF State Championships for Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Each of the 15 series races will feature guaranteed minimum cash payouts of $1500, music, food, and completely taped-off and race-honed courses!

Now in its fourth year, two significant new changes have been made to the series scoring for this year. The number of events scored for the overall is the best of seven, and the top three in each scored category will receive some great merchandise donated by this year’s series sponsors: Jamis Bicycles, Trek Cincinnati, BioWheels, 2Wheelsports, and Torelli. This year there also will be an additional award for the die-hard crossers: everyone that competes in 10 or more out of the 15 OVCX events will get their name thrown into a hat for a chance to win a pair of hand-built Zipp 404 Pave wheels valued at $1950!

“The OVCX is a great fit for Zipp. We are based in Indiana, which is part of OVCX…. While we are well known for the Ironman World Championships and Pro Tour races won on our wheels, we also make world-class cyclo-cross wheels,” says Andy Paskins, Zipp Marketing Manager. “We’re thrilled to be part of the series and happy to see one of the most exciting forms of bicycle racing grow in the Midwest through this series.”

So get your cross bikes ready to rumble… there are categories for men and women, from Pro to Beginner, little kids to big kids, and everything in between!