This weekend, Bend hosted the U.S. Grand Prix of Cyclocross – Deschutes Brewery Cup cyclocross races.
I photographed the Halloween Cyclocross races back in October. For that race, most racer were out to have a good time, dressing in costume and the entire race being a party-like atmosphere.
This weekend the racers are serious. The pros are competing for UCI points to try earn a spot at the Cyclocross World Championships which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky in September. This will be the first time the Cyclocross World Championships will be held in the United States.
Although there were races going on all day, I only went to the elite men’s races late in the day. I was starting to lose light, so again I had to use a high ISO, going between 1000 and 3200, depending on where I was on the course.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
Nice capture of the action.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you, Francine.
I’m sorry but the thought of cycle racing is forever tainted because of Lance Armstrong.
The whole doping thing has left a bad taste for cycling for a lot of people. I’m hoping that all of this will clean up the sport (and many other sports). I’m still a big fan of cycling and love to cycle myself. We can only hope.
It’s rampant in baseball & football as well. Maybe I’ll start watch golf more. 🙂
I love your captures… and thanks for the reminder of a higher ISO when the sun starts to disappear…
Thank you, Rob. With winter here, I’ve had to start using higher ISOs simply because there isn’t enough light. It’s amazing what the cameras can do now days.
These guys always seem to enjoy themselves. 🙂 Lovely action shots.
They do enjoy doing what they do, and they’re good at it.
You got some action shots here …. great job. My pick??? Orange biker that carries his bike, not much action .. but I can feel the hard work in what he are doing.
Thanks, Viveka. The course is very winding and tricky. They have to climb stairs, go over steep ramps, through mud, tight turns. This year it wasn’t as muddy and wet as it was a couple of years ago. That was fun to watch as they all got covered in mud by the end of the race.
Cross always offers a lot of drama and your shots really capture it!
Thanks. If I had known it about 30 years ago, I would have liked to try it. My old bones couldn’t handle it now.
Love the last shot!
Thanks, Carissa.