DuPage County to Host 2021 USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships

Cantigny Park in DuPage County, Illinois, will host the 2021 USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships after the 2020 edition was canceled because of the pandemic. The event will be staged December 7–12 in the discipline that combines both on and off-road riding with various course features.

The event will see a national champion crowed in both age group and professional categories, with elite riders qualifying for the world championships.

“On behalf of DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and our many partners, we look forward to welcoming cyclists, their families, and enthusiasts to Cantigny Park for this long-anticipated event,” said Beth Marchetti, executive director of the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Cantigny serves as the perfect backdrop for the DuPage County experience — rich in history and culture amidst a beautiful natural setting. We hope that participants will extend their stay to discover the many sides of DuPage, where you can find the adventure you want and the space you need.”

The event is one of 18 national championships that USA Cycling conducts annually. With more than 1,800 competitors expected, the cyclocross championship is among the largest that the national governing body hosts. The event also features a festive atmosphere with numerous area food trucks and craft beer, a health and wellness expo, and USA Cycling’s free “Let’s Ride” introduction to cycling camp for children.

“We’re eager to bring riders to Cantigny Park in DuPage County after the 2020 edition was canceled due to the pandemic,” said Tara McCarthy, USA Cycling director of national events. “We’ll see a fast course with both built and natural features, including technical off-camber sections highlighting the new Butterfly Hill.”

Cantigny Park sits on the former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Participants and spectators will get full access to the grounds, which include the First Division Museum dedicated to the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army.