The Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series returns to action this weekend with the 19th edition of the Cycle-Smart International. Held once again at Look Park in Northampton, Massachusetts, this year’s installment will feature all the hallmarks that have given this race a reputation as a mid-season classic but with some new twists.

Last year, the Cycle-Smart International drew over 1200 racers and race organizer Adam Myerson expects this year to trump last year’s record. With a week to go until the race, there are nearly 800 registered and several fields are almost filled. The registration period ends on Thursday at 5:00 PM Eastern. Registration information can be found online at http://www.bikereg.com/events/Register.asp?EventID=9486. A reminder, there is no day-of registration for this race; pre-registration is required.

Just announced, there will be a number presentation party on Friday night from six until nine, dubbed the Cycle-Smart Pick Up Party. Details will emerge in the coming days, but expect an opportunity to meet and greet some of the biggest names in American cyclocross in a relaxed setting.

Stay tuned as the week goes on for updates on the race and the Cycle-Smart Pick Up Party.

The Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series will be contested over 7 weekends in 2009, starting with the New England Cross-toberfest of Cycling: 3 straight weekends of UCI calendar racing to be held in Williston VT, Gloucester MA, and Providence RI. After a weekend of much needed rest, the series will continue with stops in New Gloucester ME on Oct 24, Northampton MA on Nov 7, Sterling MA on Nov 28, and the series finale in Warwick RI on Dec 5. This year series is generously supported by Verge Sport, makers of fine cycling clothing and products since 1993; by Cycle-Smart, purveyors of personalized cycling coaching and solutions for riders across the country; by BikeReg.com, the official online registration service of the NECCS; by Paul Weiss Photo/Video, the official photographer of the NECCS, by October Handmade Bicycles, and by Ryders Eyewear. You can visit these sponsors and get more information on the series by going to the web at http://www.cycle-smart.com/neccs.