Overnight rain could make for another muddy cyclocross day in Fayetteville

American cyclist Lance Haidet smiles at the finish line of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup race in Fayetteville on Oct. 13, 2021. (Flyer photo/Todd Gill)

Cyclocross fans could be in for another exciting round of muddy races on Sunday in Fayetteville.

Forecasters are calling for overnight rain heading into Sunday with skies clearing out by the start of the pro women’s and men’s events during the UCI Cyclocross World Cup at Centennial Park. And while fans are likely to stay dry, the riders could finish the races drenched in mud for a second time atop Millsap Mountain.

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Last year’s races featured a full day of steady rain, which made for a slippery course.

Dutch rider and then-reigning World Champion Lucinda Brand won the women’s race, while the Belgian Quinten Hermans took first in the men’s event. Brand is back for another round this year, but with Hermans not on the start list for Fayetteville, it’s Eli Iserbyt who’ll be the man to beat.

The Fayetteville race is one of only two pro cyclocross World Cup events planned in the United States this year, along with Waterloo, Wisconsin.

Sunday’s races begin with junior girls and boys categories, and the main events will feature the UCI pro women’s race at 12:30 p.m. and the UCI pro men’s race at 2 p.m.

General admission is free, but tickets are required. VIP passes are also available for access to the finish line area.

Parking is available at Baum Stadium with free shuttles to and from the races.

More info here.

2022-23 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup

Oct. 9 – Waterloo, Wisconsin
Oct. 16 – Fayetteville, Arkansas
Oct. 23 – Tabor, Czech Republic
Oct. 30 – Rucphen, Netherlands
Nov. 13 – Beekse Bergen, Netherlands
Nov. 20 – Overijse, Belgium
Nov. 27 – Hulst, Netherlands
Dec. 4 – Antwerpen, Belgium
Dec. 11 – TBA
Dec. 17 – Val di Sole, Italy
Dec. 26 – Dendermonde, Belgium
Jan. 8 – Zonhoven, Belgium
Jan. 22 – Benidorm, Spain
Jan. 29 – Besançon, France