Date:
TBD 2021
Location:
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Thompson, CT
We are working with local government agencies and health providers to determine the risk associated with this event due to COVID-19. Please check back for updates.
In the summer of 2005, the partners of GSD Event Productions were on the hook to promote the national cyclocross championships. Three venues had been rejected. Lyle Fulkerson brazenly asked Providence officials to hold the event on the grounds of the Rhode Island State House. After flatly rejecting that proposal, officials directed him to Roger Williams Park, just three miles south. Each of the three partners toured the park separately; each were stunned. The amenities, the topography, and the beauty of the park sang out. They had found a Valhalla of American cyclocross.
After many years of growth in size and scale the Providence, Rhode Island location is no longer a viable venue for reaching an international level and the event moved to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Thompson, CT in 2016.
The KMC Cross Fest will be Sept 29th & 30th, 2018. Highlights include:
• Infield Industry Trade Show and Exposition
• Racers will be in attendance from throughout America, Canada and Europe
• More that 5,000 Spectators, Participants and Exhibitors are expected each day
THOMPSON SPEEDWAY
Tucked away in the beautiful countryside of Northeastern Connecticut, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park is the home of a historic raceway and a classic 18 hole golf course. Owned and operated by the Hoenig family for four generations the Thompson Speedway offers more options than any other track in New England.
The historic 5/8 mile high banked oval hosts a number of annual NASCAR stock car and open wheel racing events including the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen All American Series. The 1.7 mile road course is the rebirth of the first purpose-built closed-circuit road racing track in the United States. It offers elements to challenge amateur and professional drivers alike.
The Raceway Golf Club offers 18 holes of classic New England golf course design. The Clubhouse, Restaurant and Banquet Facility overlook both the golf course and motorsports facility and Bogey’s Ice Cream Stand continues to serve up the region’s best ice cream. Just 50 minutes from downtown Boston, 2.5 hours from New York City and 40 minutes from Hartford and Providence.
THOMPSON, CONNECTICUT
Thompson is a rural town in Wyndham County, Connecticut. Thompson is located in the northeastern corner of the state and is bordered on the north by Webster, Massachusetts and Dudley, Massachusetts, on the east by Douglas, Massachusetts and Burrillville, Rhode Island, on the west by Woodstock, Connecticut and on the south by Putnam, Connecticut.
Besides claiming the Thompson Speedway as a historic raceway and hosts one of the biggest race programs in New England “The World Series of Auto Racing” each fall, its other claim to fame is the TriState Marker located just on the border of Thompson. Thompson is also home to the term “Swamp Yankee” which originated during the American Revolution in 1776. It is thought that the term was coined when the residents of Thompson, Connecticut fled to the surround swamps to escape a feared British invasion in 1776. When refugees arose from the swamps several weeks later, they were ridiculed and called “Swamp Yankees.”
RICHARD FRIES
Event Director/Co-Founder
Richard Fries co-founded the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival in 2009. He started cycling competitively while attending the University of South Florida. After racing internationally, he became a journalist of the sport and co-founded The Ride Magazine in 1993. He later became a race commentator, calling countless National Championships and World Cups before the UCI selected him to serve as the English announcer at the World Championships for both road and cyclo-cross championships. As an event organizer, however, Fries has had equal success, working on six U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships starting in 1995. He also serves as an adviser for Best Buddies International and People for Bikes. A father of three, Fries lives along a bike path in Lexington, Mass., with his wife, Deb Fries.
JIM WANNAMAKER
Sponsorship and Expo Director
Jim Wannamaker is a bicycle industry veteran with over 33 years of experience. He has been in retail, worked for distributors and manufacturers, and now owns his own business. He has attended over 1,000 events (races, shows, festivals and more) during that time. Wannamaker is also a member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
PATRICK GOGUEN
Programs Director
The mastermind behind the KMC Cross Fest race course, Patrick Goguen is responsible for attracting the highest level of international competition from dozens of countries to make the trip to Thompson, CT. Goguen also serves as Director Sportif for Race CF, a unique bike racing team that was created to promote a mission of philanthropy for those living with cystic fibrosis.
GLENN STILWELL
Marketing Communications Director
Glenn Stilwell has worked in the broadcast media business for more than 26 years. Starting out as the backup radio engineer for the post-game show after every Sacramento Kings home game. Today he’s the full-time audio engineer at the Pac-12 Networks. In addition he is active in producing videos and managing “Live” events for various clients including the Olympic games, NCAA, NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, Indy Car, and NASCAR broadcasts.
JULIE RENQUIN
Administration Director
Relatively new to the sport, Julie started out with her son PJ racing Mountain bike and quickly grew to love all aspects of riding. Julie became a USAC cycling official in 2013. When not working on KMC Cross Fest, Julie works full time in the Healthcare industry and home schools her two boys.
LAUREN LECLAIRE
Marketing Communications Deputy Director
Coordinators:
Volunteer Coordinator, Trish Morse
Mark Gunsalus, Athlete Services Coordinator
Manny Goguen, Competition Coordinator
Lucas Fortini, Competition Coordinator
David Hoyle, Gran Fondo Coordinator
Scott Mayo, Operations Coordinator
Tom Francis, Champions’ Dinner Coordinator
Josette Parnis Chrystall, Youth Services Coordinator
Shaun Weigand, Chief Whip
Alissa Weigand, Chief Grip
Michael Baril, Emergency Services Coordinator
Gary Thornton, Retail Coordinator
Jeff Lucido, Instructional Signage Coordinator
Jeff Johnson, Marshal Coordinator
Julie Carroll, Awards Coordinator
Martin Bruhn, Brand Signage Coordinator
Jack Perry, Expo Coordinator
Michael Sabatini, Graphic Designer
Millie Milton, Hospitality Coordinator
Meesha Crowther, Registration Coordinator
Media Accreditation Policy for KMC Cross Fest
Media who have applied in advance for accreditation and have received email confirmation, will be on a list in the media room located at:
Clarus Studios Classroom, in the Garage Building in the main paddock.
Photographers may apply for a Photo Vest to receive access to special photo areas, including the finish line. A Media Credential does not provide access to those areas. No more than two (2) Photo Vests will be provided to any organization.
Photographers will be required to provide suitable deposit for Photo Vest (ID or credit card). The deposit will be returned at the time the Photo Vest is returned.
On-Site Media Registration
A media staff representative will be on-site in the media room to complete your registration.
KMC Cross Fest is open to trade and consumer-focused media outlets, including print, TV, radio and digital. The events are open to any writer, photographer, or editor with an editorial assignment to cover the event for a media outlet that regularly covers cycling events, sporting events and/or regional or local community events.
KMC Cross Fest reserves the right to approve or deny all media credential requests at its sole discretion.
By providing your information, you explicitly consent to receive telephone and email communications from KMC Cross Fest under 47 U.S.C. Code 227 and any other applicable regulations.
For media or accreditation related questions, please contact media@kmccrossfest.com
On-Site Media Info
On-Site Media Contact: Lauren LeClaire, media@kmccrossfest.com
Wifi is available in the media room for all registered media outlets. Start lists for elite races will be provided.
Information regarding media parking will be provided soon. Media parking will only be made available to outlets who preregister.
Results will be emailed to registered outlets and will be available on our website each evening.
All elite podiums will occur immediately after the race finish. Photo bibs will be required for finish line and podium area access.
Other questions? Email our media team at media@kmccrossfest.com
Directions to Thompson Speedway
205 E. Thompson Rd. Thompson, CT 06277
From Lower Conn. & Points South
Take Rt. 95 North to New London. Take Rt. 395 North to Exit 50. Go right at end of exit ramp to the center of village. Turn left on Rt. 193. Go approx. 1 mile to East Thompson Rd.
From upper NY, Greater Boston Area
Use the Mass Tpke. leaving at Exit 10 and turn onto Rt. 395 South to Exit 50. Turn left at end of exit ramp to center of village. Turn left on Rt. 193. Go approx. 1 mile to East Thompson Rd.
From Maine, Nashua, NH, Lowell-Lawrence, Mass Area
Take Rt. 495 to Rt. 290. Go South on 290 to Rt. 395 South. Get off at Exit 50. Turn left at end of exit ramp to center of village. Turn left on Rt. 193. Go approx. 1 mile to East Thompson Rd.
From Providence, RI
Take Rt. 44 west to Rt. 395 North, Exit 50. Go right at end of exit ramp to center of village. Turn left on Rt. 193. Go approx. 1 mile to East Thompson Rd.
Timeline of KMC Cyclo-cross Festival
2004: Organizers win bid to host USA Cycling National Cyclo-cross Championships in New England for two consecutive years and start search for the optimal venue.
2005: Invited by the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, organizers settle on Roger Williams Park. The event is held in mid-December. Hit with a historic winter storm, the event is lauded as one of the most epic ‘cross nationals in American history.
2006: Held in unusually mild conditions, the event returns to Roger Williams Park and draws more than 8,000 spectators to witness the elite men’s national championship. The event is considered a turning point in U.S. cyclo-cross as participation starts to rise dramatically.
2007: Organizers put plans to promote annual event on hold to allow Richard Fries to care for terminally ill family member.
2008: No event held.
2009: GSD Events LLC promotes the inaugural Providence Cyclo-cross Festival featuring a UCI Category 2 event. Katerina Nash of the Czech Republic and Tim Johnson of Massachusetts are the champions.
2010: The event sees moderate growth as a Category 2 event. Tim Johnson returns to win the men’s event; Sally Annis scores the win in the women’s division.
2011: The UCI upgrades Providence to Category 1 status. Olympian Mary McConneloug of California wins the women’s division and Justin Lindine of Massachusetts wins the men’s race. Organizers co-sponsor the New England Bike-Walk Summit held at The Biltmore Hotel with Eric Weis and the East Coast Greenway Alliance coordinating the conference. The New England Builders’ Ball is also launched as a Friday evening event.
2012: Returning as a UCI Category 1 race, Providence finally enjoys a clear calendar date without any other Category 1 event to compete. Jeremy Powers of Massachusetts wins the men’s race; Helen Wyman of Great Britain wins the women’s race.
2013: Organizers create Providence Cross Fest LLC with Richard Fries serving as event director. Gaining prestige and notoriety the event adds a Friday night single-speed event and the first-ever cyclo-cross “Madison”, a relay race for two-person teams. Jeremy Powers returns to win the men’s division; Katerina Nash of the Czech Republic win’s the women’s race. Working with Kermesse Sports, organizers host the Sunday morning Gran Fondo New England. Second bi-annual New England Bike-Walk Summit is held.
2014: With a new title sponsor, the event is re-named the KMC Cyclo-cross Festival. Having been chosen as the best cyclo-cross event in America by Outside Magazine, Cyclocross Magazine and Behind the Barriers TV, Providence shatters attendance records for both riders and spectators. Broadcast live via Behind the Barriers TV, Providence receives 26,500 unique viewers. More than 10,000 visit Roger Williams Park for the weekend with 2,800 entrants. Gran Fondo New England doubles in entries. Jeremy Powers wins his third consecutive men’s title and World Cup Champion Katie Compton of Colorado wins the women’s title. The New England Builders’ Ball relocates successfully to the Roger Williams Botanical Center. The UCI notifies organizers it would welcome a bid for Providence to become the first American city to host a World Cup.
2016: In its eight year the KMC Cyclo-cross Festival moves to a new venue at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Connecticut. Organizers are working together with track management to establish a long-term partnership to draw the world’s best ‘cross racers to New England each fall.