In cyclocross racing these days the racing starts long before the event. When you register determines your starting position at the event. Registration strategies are critical and the online registration opened at 1:02 AM EST this morning. I stayed up late so I could get a good starting position for the USA Cycling 2007 Cyclocross National Championships
Of course they call up the current champion and champions from younger age groups to the front of the line, but after them it is the order in which you registered. This year the first three registered riders in my 55-59 age group are...
1. Torre Smitherman (my teammate and SE regional MTB racer)
2. Dan Coy (moi)
3. Richard Sachs (World-renowned master frame builder and 'cross racer)