The 2018 US Cyclocross Nationals were held in Reno, NV, over the weekend. With the off-camber ups and downs, the Belgian Stairs, the sand, the mud and a course that looked more vertical than horizontal, this was a true test. Photos are courtesy of Christopher Keiser.

Ascents were as steep as 35 percent. This is the pro men's lead "pack".

Here's the start of the U23 men start with eventual winner Christopher Blevins #109 pictured in foreground.

Several-time National Champ Jeremy Powers leads on the descent. He would finish second.

Several short, steep, quad burning runs punctuated the course.

Some hopped these, others dismounted. Four-time national champ and eventual 2nd place on the day, Jeremy Powers, leads the elite men.

Stephen Hyde (Cannondale Cyclocrossworld) takes his second consecutive national championship.

Elite men’s podium: 1st Stephen Hyde, 2nd Jeremy Powers and 3rd Kerry Werner.

"Retired" pro Meredith Miller, stretches her legs off the front of the women's single-speed race on her way to victory. Rains before the event formed many ruts on this section, making an already off-camber section fast but technical.

Katie Compton leads into the sand pit feature on the first lap, and never relinquished the lead in the near-one-hour race.

Emma White hops aboard after a steep uphill. she won the women's U23 race.

Pro riders have access to as many as 6 bikes, and take advantage to try different tire profiles for changing conditions.

Team mechanics waiting in the pits with bikes for replacement should a rider experience a mechanical, or need to change tire pressure or gearing.

Katie Compton, aka “KFC” (what does the F stand for?) won her 14th straight national championship in Reno.

Elite women’s podium: 1st Katie Compton, 2nd Ellen Noble, 3rd Kaitlin Keough.