
Spectators will watch some of the best cyclists in the world as they come to Genesee Valley Park for the 2024 Rochester Cyclocross this weekend.
“Take a country like Belgium and there, soccer is the No. 1 sport, cycling is No. 2,” says Scott Page, founder of the Rochester event. “We’re going to have a woman from Belgium who’s No. 6 in the world, another from France who’s 11th in the world, another who’s top 15. They’re top-of-the-pile athletes.”
Across three days, the Rochester Cyclocross will have both a UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Class 1 event, the highest level in the sport and one of seven such races in the world, and UCI Class 2 event. It is also race No. 2 in the 2024 TREK USCX Cyclocross Series.
The extreme sport of cyclocross is part street cycling, part bike race and part obstacle course that requires racers to dig deep into their endurance and creativity. Courses are short, usually 1.5 to 2 miles, but the races are grueling, often having multiple laps and lasting 30 to 60 minutes depending on the rider classification.

“Cyclocross is my favorite sport, mostly because I think it delivers on all avenues. It’s really amazing for spectators, which I love,” Page says.
The Rochester Cyclocross winds up and down through the wooded hills and riverside trails of Genesee Valley Park. Obstacle courses include 40 cm high plank barriers, which require racers to dismount and carry their bikes (although Page says some athletes can bunny hop over them); a “Belgian Staircase,” which has stairs wide enough for a wheel; a “Flyover,” a bridge that requires speed and control; a half pipe; and more.
Spectators can easily follow the action, typically working their way backward through a course and ending up at the finish line for the final lap, Page says.
“Road racing, in my opinion, is the least fun to watch because you’re just watching racers speed by on a bike. Whether it’s 50 miles long or 200 miles long, you usually just see them once,” he observes. “European bike culture, it’s completely different. But here with Americans, we’re all about action all the time. And that’s what’s great about cyclocross … there’s a lot of action to see.
“And it’s not like the NFL or something where you’re watching the action from way far in the back. Cyclocross is right up close,” he adds.

In addition, the Rochester Cyclocross will have two beer gardens—one main location and another satellite area further into the park—run by Rohrbach Brewing, a sponsor of the event. Food trucks, music, and a meet-and-greet event with World Cup champion Maghalie Rochette will also be part of the spectator experience. Young people can compete in the Kids Races, a free event for children ages 8 and under.
Online registration for licensed and amateur racers is open until Sept. 17, with a same-day in-person registration as well.
Page, who founded the Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport shop, has loved cycling since he was young. He started producing cyclocross races in 2008 as an amateur event at Ellison Park.
“The first year I put a cyclocross race on, we had 65 riders. Last year, we had about 1,400,” says Page. “So, it’s grown a ton. Pretty much to the rate of where we’ll gain 100 riders each year.”
The Rochester Cyclocross was elevated to international UCI status over the years and has been held at Genesee Valley Park since 2016.
Page’s passion for the sport is apparent, even in the construction of the Rochester Cyclocross course, which has been rated consistently by racers as one of their favorites each year. Many of the obstacles are his own creation, perfected over years.
That passion isn’t out of the ordinary for other cyclists, Page has found.
“You have to be passionate about it to keep going. Since they’re short events, you’re redlining it the whole time, going full speed; it’s tough,” he says. “So, yeah, we’re the opposite in a lot of ways. If the course is muddy, everyone loves that. If we hear it’s going to rain the night before, we’re all happy.”
Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and data journalist. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].