Cyclocross (CX) once outside the local-regional level is based on UCI points standings. Most regions, including SoCal have one or two UCI weekends which bring in big time ntaional and international pros. SoCal races were Spooky CX at the Fairplex mid October and CX LA at Downtown LA Historic Park early December. Thoes race weekends were part the region wide SoCal Cross Prestige Series (SCPS) from late September to Early January which amatuers, local pros, visiting national/international pros racing their respective age groups or category.
National and international pros travel consantly from race to race from mid September to late January racing the local regional UCI races which are a lower level (C2) and the higher level (C1) national series. National series in the USA it is the US Grand Prix (USGP) 8 races over four weekends racing both Sat. & Sunday. CX after Dark over four races the second national series that is younger and growing. There is even talk of west coast with CA, OR, and WA based series as USGP stays more east of the Rockys MTs.
Other big CX nations in Europe like Belgium have two national series while most nations have one series with one series race day per weekend. These are more pro only affiars where the amatuers race elsewhere. Japan has national series like that of the USA that everyone races on the same course as the pros at their asinged time during the day.
These UCI points go towards standings on the national and international levels as national championships world wide in the second weekend of January start staging is based off the UCI points standings. National champs is pay and show up . USA Nationals is an odd one due it is four day event where women and men jrs starting at 10 to masters 60+, plus college teams as well. All race on the same US Champs course as the pros while other nations is just pros men, pro women, U23 men, and Jr Men 17-18 on one day.
The other time where UCI points really count is the World Cup. An international series of eight or nine races, for now based in Europe due to cost issues, where nations send the their best racers to race for big time UCI points, national pride, and starting positions at World Champships start grid on the last weekend in January or first weekend in Febuary depending on how the calander works out. World Cups and World Champs are contested by selected pro Men, pro Women, JR men 17-18, and U23 men of each nation. Racers selected to race the Worlds Champs race for the rainbow jesery that goes to the winner they wear an year till the next World Champs and have rainbow stripes on their team kit afterwords for the rest of their lifes.
This CX season for the first time ever World Championships are being held outside of Europe in 50+ years of the event in the USA at Louisville, KY on Feb 2nd and 3rd. Esitmated start times are EST 11:00am to about 12:00 for Jrs on Saturady and Pro Women on Sunday. 2:30pm to 3:45pm for U23 men on Saturady and Pro Men on Sunday. There will be live coverage of Worlds Champs on the UCI youtube feed which go to USAC website, CX Magaizine and many more that will link in to the feed. Team USA is expected to do well or win the Pro womens and Jrs. U23 men is a tossup. Pro men too hard to guess due to Americans at home and the rest of the international racers are not familer with USA style courses.
CX Magazine: http://www.cxmagazine.com/live-video-stream-2013-cyclocross-world-championships
Race website: http://www.louisville2013.com/site/index.php
USAC feed: http://www.youtube.com/user/USACyclingOrg?feature=watch
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