The process of announcing the 2005/2006 U.S. Cyclocross World's team actually started one month ago at the conclusion of the U.S. CX Nationals in Rhode Island. But to fulfill the selection requirements of the top rider in UCI points, they had to wait out a month's worth of European cyclocross events. Only a handful of American men had seriously campaigned the overseas CX circuit, most notably for us being Norba XC star Ryan Trebon.
Now that the time has passed here is the official announcement:
USA Cycling announced today the elite men's squad that will represent the United States at the upcoming Cyclocross World Championships in Zeddam, Netherlands January 28-29.
The announcement of the five man contingent completes the 20 rider roster that will compete against the world's best cyclocross athletes for the title of world champion.
Ryan Trebon and Jonathan Page earned automatic nominations to the team based on a top 50 ranking in the UCI standings, while Barry Wicks earned an automatic nomination as the top American in the overall standings of the 2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series.
Ryan Trebon was sidelined by injury early into the MTB season. Consistently one of America's top cyclocrossers, Ryan's recent CX performances prove that he is healed and ready to take on the Norbas this year. (As well as the world's best CXers.) Currently ranked 23rd in the world, Ryan is the top American in the UCI CX standings. Barry Wicks' big MTB win last year was at the Infineon Cougar Mountain Classic.
National CX Champion Todd Wells (GT Hyundai) and fifth place finisher Tim Johnson (Louis Garneau) also earned automatic nominations, but declined participation.
Erik Tonkin and Jeremy Powers join the team as discretionary selections.
National CX Women Champion Katie Compton (Cody Racing) has declined her automatic nomination and will be replaced with Christine Vardaros.
2006 U.S. CYCLOCROSS WORLD'S TEAM
ELITE MEN
*Ryan Trebon (Kona)
*Jonathan Page (Cervelo)
*Barry Wicks (Kona)
*Erik Tonkin (Kona)
*Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly)
ELITE WOMEN
*Barbara Howe (Velo Bella)
*Ann Knapp (Kona)
*Maureen Bruno-Roy (Independent Fabrication)
*Rhonda Mazza (Vanilla Bicycle-Sellwood Cycle)
*Christine Vardaros (Lotto-Belisol)
U23
*Troy Wells (TIAA-CREF)
*Jesse Anthony (Clif Bar)
*Adam McGrath (Redline)
*Brady Kappius (TIAA-CREF)
*Dan Neyens (Broadmark)
JUNIOR MEN
*Daniel Summerhill (TIAA-CREF)
*Alex Howes (TIAA-CREF)
*Bjorn Selander (Alan Factory)
*Chance Noble (Scary Fast)
*Patrick Ethan Gilmour (Coyote)
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