When CrossVegas became the first ever American stop in the UCI’s Cyclocross World Cup series last year, fans here in the States had their first chance to watch a race boasting nearly every big name in the sport since the world championships visited Louisville, Kentucky, almost three years prior.

And American racers had a chance to turn the tables on their European counterparts.

Americans, used to making the long, trans-Atlantic haul to compete in the World Cup, got to race at home, more or less, while the Europeans made the long trip across the pond.

The race was a smashing success, earning the UCI’s award for best World Cup race of the season, and another spot on the World Cup calendar this season. Racers largely praised the event, but many regretted the cancellation of a second planned World Cup in Montreal, which would have afforded them an additional opportunity for a top-level race during the trip.

This year, they’ll get their wish. Jingle Cross, in Iowa City, will host the second race of the Telenet UCI World Cup the Saturday following CrossVegas. Racers will get their race, but with a hitch: CrossVegas wraps up late Wednesday evening, Jingle Cross debuts less than three days later, about 1500 miles and 22 hours of driving away.

So how will European racers and teams deal with the logistics of moving literal truckloads of bikes, wheels, and equipment halfway across North America— especially when many of them will already be an ocean away from home and the support network that keeps the sport rolling?

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