It’s not about the finish line in racing, but rather it’s about surviving the mud, the hills, and your own limits.
As I watched my first cyclocross race, I watched in admiration as competitors pushed themselves through thick mud. I was lucky enough to interview the girl that won the race, too. After the race, I decided to do my own research on cyclocross.
The number of laps around the course varies. They track how long it takes for the competitors to complete one lap, and from there they decide how many laps must be completed. They try to have the race be at least 50-60 minutes long.
The bikes used have specific frames suited for cyclocross racing. For example, the female racer I interviewed, Lizzy Gunsalus, uses a $13,000 bike from LAB71 that is unreleased.
In my interview with Gunsalus, I learned about her experiences in bike racing. “My dad Mark and older brother Greg raced cyclocross and when I reached the age of 10, I started racing with them,” she said. Her father described her as a fierce competitor that prefers racing in the muddier terrain and harsher conditions. He said that racing cyclocross in the UK has prepared her for any obstacles she will face here.
“I’ve been racing cyclocross for nearly 13 years. Before racing cyclocross, I raced BMX for five years,” Lizzy said. She races in pro cyclocross races through a Marian University cyclocross program. “I enjoy the various terrains and challenging conditions I race in. I have a high level of focus and intensity in order to perform specific strategies.
“I’ve had my success over the years,” she said. She describes coming in first place at the National Junior in Austin Texas at age 11, and again at Hartford when she was 13. “I also won the Pan American U23 title in 2022, and as of yesterday I have won two races here in Ohio.”
“My favorite course to race on is The Citadel in Belgium because of its steep drops and technical conditions,” she said. Since her father Mark mentioned earlier that she prefers a difficult course conditions and terrain, it was no surprise that she her favorite course fits that mold of characteristics.
I then wanted to know if cyclocross could possibly become an Olympic sport. “It has been discussed to be a part of the 2030 Olympics. We are hopeful this will be confirmed and announced soon,” said Mark.
“I will compete in eight races in the US including the Pan American and US National Championships. In Europe I will race in 12 different races and aspire to make the US team to compete in the world championships,” she said.
I found it interesting that she was racing through a program at Marian University, so I asked her a few questions regarding the program. “Approximately 30 women and men race in this program. We don’t just race in cyclocross, but also road, mountain, track and BMX disciplines.”
I asked if the other riders are friendly. “Absolutely,” she said. “We have some friends within the sport. There is a great camaraderie among the athletes in the sport. This does not exclude the fact that we are very competitive with one another. It is all business inside the tape.”
“I also spend several hours per week in the gym as well as doing running drills to keep my body moving. Cyclocross requires running, so I have to be in a proper mindset to be ready to run. My pre-season consists of robust road and mountain bike racing, so I can get a solid base for domestic championship cyclocross. In European World Cup racing, I have to be in my best form to compete.
To finish the interview, I wanted to get a greater scope of what she wants to accomplish in the future. “My immediate goals are to win another National or Pan American Title. I would also like to gain more podiums in Europe. If there were to be an Olympic team in 2030 for Cyclocross, I would be honored to make the team and medal in the event.
