Promoters of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships have organized one final pageant for elite men in this 2005 season. The Liberty Cup, to be held Sunday, December 11, right before the elite women's championship, is a showcase for all the national champions.

"Any national champion over the age of 15 will be invited to race with no entry fee," said Tom Stevens, race director. "The one caveat is that we ask them to wear their national championship jersey. If they do that we give them a front row start position. We will pay a good prize list and reward the top masters and top under-23 finishers. In recent years the elite men have only been able to race once during the championship weekend, but others got to race two or three events. These fans and these riders deserve a bit more."

Registration for the Liberty Cup is open. Entry fees will be refunded to those who win their national titles. The race will not be held subject to UCI rules.

"We're going to have some fun with it," said Lyle Fulkerson, operations director. "The masters and the juniors will get a front spot in front of a big crowd. We are hoping the Canadian national champions attend, too."

"I look forward to seeing how well the younger riders stack up against the elites," said Richard Fries, communications director. "Jesse Anthony, Jeremy Powers, and Bjorn Selander will make strong impressions. I also want to watch 16-year-old Alex Coelho, perhaps the best young 'cross racer alive, race the elites."

For more information about the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships, visit the website at www.cyclocrossnationals.com.