RACE PREVIEW: THE INAUGURAL RAPHA SUPER CROSS GLOUCESTER

The 2014-2015 New England UCI Cyclocross season officially kicks off this weekend, September 27 and 28, with Rapha Super Cross Gloucester. Gorgeous Stage Fort Park in Gloucester hosts the oceanside race for the sixteenth time, this year marking the first edition with new title sponsor Rapha on board. The partnership of revered cycling brand Rapha with this historic race promises classic and exciting racing this weekend - and for years to come.

Huge crowds mass for this weekend of racing, famously known around New England as the biggest cyclocross race in the region. Amateur racers, their families, and large numbers of cycling fans will crowd the venue to spectate the headlining acts of the weekend, the Elite races, from the famous Great Brewers' Beer Garden. The races this year will certainly be the most thrilling to watch yet.

Fresh from a solid win at CrossVegas, Meredith Miller (Noosa Professional Cyclocross Team) brings her sprinting legs to New England to challenge British National Cyclocross Champion Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing) and the legendary Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom p/b Pink Siren Sports). In the mix battling for top spots will be New England natives Crystal Anthony (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies), Ellen Noble (JAM Fund/NCC), and Cassandra Maximenko (Rare VOS Racing/Van Dessel/PowerBar), all ranked within the top 15 in the Pro CX standings.

US National Cyclocross Champion Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing), who won both days of Gloucester last year, looks to be an unstoppable force so far this season. Arriving to challenge him will be Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld), Allen Krugoff (Noosa Professional Cyclocross Team), Jamey Driscoll (Raleigh-Clement), and former US National Cyclocross Champion Jonathan Page (Fuji/SPY).

In addition to being part of Rapha's international Super Cross Series, Rapha Super Cross Gloucester begins the 2014 Verge New England Cyclocross Series, the longest-running UCI series in the US. The Series encompasses a total of fourteen Elite and amateur categories, spanning the entire weekend and continuing through the season with three races selected for their commitment to quality racing. The oldest UCI cyclocross race in the US, the Cycle-Smart International, celebrates its 24th year November 1 & 2. On November 29 & 30, the Baystate Cyclocross brings its signature technical challenges to Sterling, MA. The grand Series finale will be held December 6 & 7 at the NBX Gran Prix of Cyclocross in Warwick, RI. The race is also a part of USA Cycling's season-long Pro CX calendar, which will award the top US racers this 2014-2015 season prizes totaling $40,000.

A photo exhibition celebrating the essence of Gloucester's character - and the character of the other stunning Rapha Super Cross locations around the world - during the 363 days a year these towns are not hosting world-class cyclocross races. Ben Ingham's Theatres of Cross: Exhibition will be on view at Gloucester's own art space, The Hive, Friday and Saturday in conjunction with the race weekend.

Gloucester will be broadcast live on gnarlymonkey.com, and fans can also follow along live on Twitter at @VergeNECXS and @gpgloucester. News and updates will be posted regularly at cycle-smart.com/necxs and at gpgloucester.com. The hashtag to use for this race weekend is #RSCgloucester.