There seems to be a big explosion in the USA, where it seems to have found its niche in replicating the atmosphere of European races, not taking itself overly seriously, and allowing all sorts of people to enter their first bike race.
Road racing is hard to get into, and a bad day means being dropped and limping home. there’s very little track racing TBH, and MTB racing feels like it’s much more focussed on enduros than short XC blasts.
I’ve been to a Superprestige race in Belgium (won by Sven Nys, natch) and the atmosphere was extraordinary. 13,000 people, in a field between some houses in a small village, huge ber tents and thick snow. Genius.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/59714726@N00/3061867012/]Super Prestige Cross (Zogge Belgium Nov 08)[/url]
I’ve done a few races. I’m hopeless, hampered by an MTB I can’t shoulder and not fit enough to be any more than mid-pack. But I love the idea more and more, so next year I shall buy a CX bike and do a full season. For now, however, I’m up to my eyes in nappies….