THOMPSON, Conn. (BRAIN) — This fall's KMC Cyclo-cross Festival will leave Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island, for the first time. This year's festival, the eighth annual, will be held at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Connecticut, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
"We have long adored Roger Williams Park. But it became evident to us that Providence simply did not have the capacity to host an event at the international level we expect to achieve," said Richard Fries, co-founder and event director. "We simply outgrew the venue." Prior to KMC becoming title sponsor, the event was called the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival.
The organizers are working with track management to establish a long-term partnership, he said. The festival includes UCI-sanctioned pro cyclocross racing, amateur 'cross racing, an expo, and other consumer events and rides.
The Thompson Speedway is a 50-minute drive from Boston and 40 minutes from Hartford, Springfield and Providence.
Fries noted that the UCI World Championships of cyclocross was held at a race track in Zolder, Belgium, earlier this year. The Sea Otter Classic also is held at a race track, Laguna Seca.
"The amenities, the parking, the turn-key access to everything we need, and the spectator-friendly design is incredible. The Thompson Speedway has it all," Fries said.
Details on registration, sponsorship and exposition opportunities will be released in the coming weeks. More information at KMCcrossfest.com.
