Sturm, Grotts and Cummings take titles at singlespeed cyclocross worlds
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championship’s loser’s part race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
After two days of qualifying events, group rides and parties, the singlespeed cyclocross world championships took place on Saturday at Durango Mesa. The race featured more denim than spandex as well as whiskey shortcuts and a big jump with an air bag landing, aiming to balance fun times with fast racing.
“I think it was successful beyond what anyone was anticipating,” said the women’s world champ, Sarah Sturm. “Durango is used to super-serious events. With an event like singlespeed worlds, it was fun to show people here that racing can be hard, but it can also be super fun.”
“It’s a cool crossroads between serious racing and having a really good time and wearing costumes,” said the event’s director, Dylan Stucki. “It’s so fun, but the competition is real; it’s a world championship.”
Sarah Sturm (22) and Natalie Quinn (31), line up in their costumes at the start of the women's singlespeed cyclocross world championship race on Saturday at Durango Mesa. (Elmer Ferro/Courtesy SSCXWC)
In the women’s championship, Sturm, Natalie Quinn and Michaela Thompson and pedaled out in front.
“We were definitely pushing each other pretty hard,” Sturm said. She said the defending champion, Sunny Gilbert, was also racing hard for the first few laps, but then gave in to the party side more.
“It’s hard to take it too serious when you’re getting beer sprayed in your eyes, there’s mandatory keg stands and whiskey short cuts,” Sturm said. “You’re sort of forced to embrace the weirdness.”
To reach the air bag landing, the competitors also had to clear a gap. Sturm said a couple women on mountain bikes hit the jump while the rest ran up the stairs and then still had to jump. “It was definitely a leap to get on the air bag,” she said.
The event’s main rule, meanwhile, is if you win, you have to get a tattoo. Sturm said she and Quinn had a conversation near the end of the race, and Sturm ended up taking the title. “Natalie pretty much let me have it at the end,” Sturm said. “She’s going to be a force to be reckoned with in the next few years, in whatever discipline she goes into.”
Racing at the same time as the women for the first time were five nonbinary riders. Robert Cummings won the inaugural nonbinary championship.
“Honestly, what’s cool about singlespeed worlds is we can make up the rules as we go,” Stucki said. “It was an awesome opportunity to create that category and have space for them to compete as well. We allow people to compete in whatever category they feel comfortable in.”
Fun times at the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships held on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The men’s championship followed the women’s and nonbinary races on Saturday. With about 250 guys registered, however, they had to qualify to compete in the world title race.
For the first qualifier, riders had to race head-to-head on townie bikes that had their hubs welded to rollers for one mile, then drink a beer and eat a hot dog in the fastest time. Stucki won that event. There was also a drawing Thursday and if the riders were willing to get zapped by a dog collar, they got an entry.
Friday had 18 heats with 18 riders each, and the top five all qualified.
Riders who didn’t qualify could earn a spot in the championships through feats of the strength including a Big Mac eating contest, a petty cab tractor pull and a contest where the competitors had to chug a beer, do 50 pushups and then chug another beer.
“Keegan (Swenson) annihilated that one under 50 seconds,” Stucki said.
A tug-of-war competition also broke out, but nobody qualified out of it. There was also a last-chance qualifier on Saturday. Everybody, however, was able to ride on Saturday. “There was a loser’s race for anyone who didn’t qualify,” Stucki said. “It was a catchall, fun party parade.”
In the men’s race, Howard Grotts was leading when some competitors started cheating.
“There was unfortunate incident where people created a fake short cut (taking down tape in a corner),” Stucki said. “I was a little pissed. We were trying to balance the fun and the serious, but that goes too far to the fun side. We want it to be a fair competition and still have results and times.”
Riders compete on Saturday in the last chance qualifier at the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Grotts never did take the short cut and was awarded the world title for his performance.
The riders then went to an after party at Ska Brewery where they could watch the world champions all get tattoos on stage from Roger Steliner of Your Flesh tattoo.
“He took the artwork for the event and tweaked it with his own flavor,” Stucki said. “He’s a legendary tattoo artist in town.”
After Sturm, Cummings and Grotts got their tattoos, Steliner said he had an extra needle so Stucki got hist first tattoo. “I was stoked about that,” he said.
The events began on Thursday with a group ride and two competitions to decide who will get to host next year’s championship. First, teams competed in an alley-cat race that was basically a scavenger hunt around town designed by Chad Cheeney, who also helped organize the sscx world championships when Durango hosted them in 2009.
The top two teams from the scavenger hunt, Des Moines and Santa Cruz, then competed in a bike grass polo game to decide who would get to host the event next.
“It was an intense game,” Stucki said. “Santa Cruz brought a ton of energy. They really wanted to host, so they brought the heat.”
Des Moines led at the bike polo game at halftime. Santa Cruz, however, rallied in the second half to send the game into overtime. Santa Cruz then won the hosting rights for the 2024 SSCXWC in the extra period.
Stucki won the rights to host this year’s world championship back at the 2019 championships in St. George, Utah. “I won the hosting competition by eating fry sauce out of condoms the fastest,” he said.
The pandemic, however, put the event on hold for a couple of years.
“Amid the chaos, I think it went swimmingly,” Stucki said, noting that every event started on time. “I’m just super thankful for the Durango community. There’s a lot of great people here that allow us to pull off events like this.”
The event also served as a final cooldown race for a lot of the athletes to end their season on.
“It definitely ended my season on a high,” Sturm said. “Not because I won, it was just such a fun weekend. That was the first time (in a while) I’ve been able to roll up to a race not caring.”
The event also gave Sturm, who now focuses mostly on gravel and mountain biking, a chance to return to her roots. She said her first pro contract with Specialized was for cyclocross.
“Cyclocross is the thing I love to do the most,” Sturm said. “That’s why having it in Durango was so special.”
Riders compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa. (Elmer Ferro/Courtesy SSCXWC)
Riders compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Fun times at the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa. (Elmer Ferro/Courtesy SSCXWC)
Riders compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders compete on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders enjoy some fun on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders enjoy some fun on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders enjoy some fun on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Rotem Ishay leads Blaine Felton during the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Sky Hatter finishes in the top tear of the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Christopher Drew finishes in the top spot of the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders enjoy some fun on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders enjoy some fun on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships losers race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Riders enjoy some fun on Saturday in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships last chance race held at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships losers race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Cyclists compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders enjoy some fun times at the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships held on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Riders compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa. (Elmer Ferro/Courtesy SSCXWC)
Riders compete in the Singlespeed Cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa. (Elmer Ferro/Courtesy SSCXWC)
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Riders compete on Saturday in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships last chance qualifier at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Riders compete on Saturday in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships last chance qualifier at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Riders compete on Saturday in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships last chance qualifier at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Riders compete on Saturday in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships last chance qualifier at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
A spectator enjoys a fun time at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships last chance qualifier on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Riders compete on Saturday in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships last chance qualifier at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Riders compete on Saturday in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships last chance qualifier at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
People have fun times at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
People have fun times at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
People have fun times at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
People have fun times at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists jump onto an air bag during the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
People have fun times at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
People have fun times at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Rotem Ishay leads Blaine Felton during the last chance qualifier at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Zeb King finishes third in the last chance qualifier at the of the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Kyle Rohling finishes in second during the last chance qualifier at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Sky Hatter finishes in the top tier of the last chance qualifier at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Christopher Drew finishes in the top spot of the last chance qualifier for the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
People have fun times at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Cyclists compete in the singlespeed cyclocross world championships loser’s race on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
Kyle Rohling competes in the last chance qualifier at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
People have some fun times at the singlespeed cyclocross world championships on Saturday at Durango Mesa Park. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
