Emily Noble Returns too Cyclocross: A Champion Re-Emerges with Renewed Focus and a Broader Cycling Outlook
Emily Noble, a name synonymous with American cyclocross excellence, is back. After a three-year hiatus from professional racing, teh former national silver medalist is poised to make a notable impact on the 2024-2025 cyclocross season. This isn’t just a comeback; it’s a re-engagement fueled by personal growth, diverse cycling experiences, and a deep-seated love for the sport.
A Break and a Re-Evaluation
Noble’s departure from racing in 2021 was described as an “indefinite” break, a period of stepping back to address personal challenges. Many athletes struggle with the pressures of elite competition, and Noble was no exception. But rather than abandoning cycling altogether, she used the time to explore other disciplines, a decision that ultimately strengthened her return.
“It feels crazy to say, I’m almost 30 and I didn’t race for three years,” Noble shared. ”But I don’t know what’s stopping me. At the moment,I feel like I’ve found a lot of strategies that are working for me to keep it at bay.”
Expanding Horizons: Enduro, Downhill, and Gravel
During her time away from cyclocross, Noble immersed herself in the worlds of enduro and downhill mountain biking. This foray into gravity-fed disciplines proved invaluable. It wasn’t about switching sports, but about building confidence and refining bike handling skills.
* Confidence Boost: The technical demands of mountain biking instilled a newfound fearlessness.
* Skill Transfer: Skills honed on mountain bike trails directly translate to navigating challenging cyclocross courses.
* New England Roots: The strong mountain biking culture in New England provided a supportive environment for her exploration.
She also embraced gravel racing, a rapidly growing discipline that offered a different kind of challenge.This led to a full-time role as a digital specialist with marketing agency Q+M, including work with the prominent SBT GRVL event.
Mentorship and Community: The Gravel Femmes Initiative
Noble’s involvement with SBT GRVL wasn’t just professional.She actively participated as a mentor with the GRVL Femmes Team Challenge, a program dedicated to increasing female participation in gravel racing. This experience highlighted her commitment to growing the sport and empowering other riders.
“When the Gravel Femmes started,I was asked if I wanted to ride the event,” Noble explained. “The only way I would really want to do it would be if I could lead a team.”
The Gravel Femmes initiative focused on:
- Expanding Access: Opening registration to an otherwise sold-out event for teams of three or more riders.
- Providing Support: Offering mentorship from experienced riders like Noble, Alison Tetrick, and Christie Tracy.
- Fostering a positive Experience: Creating a supportive environment for riders tackling their longest rides or returning from injury. the goal wasn’t necessarily winning, but finishing and enjoying the experience.
Back to the ‘Cross: A Dedicated Fall Campaign
Now, noble is fully focused on cyclocross.Based in Massachusetts, she spent the summer building fitness with long gravel rides and supporting the JAM Fund charity rides. She dipped her toe back into ‘cross racing with four races last year, but this season marks a dedicated return to the discipline she once dominated.
Her last major victory came at the C1 race in Rochester in 2017, followed by a silver medal at the Cyclocross National Championships in Reno, Nevada. She’ll be returning to Rochester this Saturday with a new sponsor, Salsa Cycles, ready to tackle a challenging course featuring cobbled sections and technical climbs.
The Competition: A Strong Field Awaits
Noble will face stiff competition in Rochester, lining up against the top riders from the opening USCX weekend at GO Cross:
* Maghalie Rochette (SRAM-Seeker)
* Manon Bakker (Crelan-corendon)
* Sidney mcgill (Lastig Off-road Racing)
* Caroline Mani (Velomafia)
A Renewed Perspective: Racing as a Reward
Beyond the competition, Noble’s return is driven by a simple, powerful motivation: joy. A recent Instagram post perfectly encapsulates
