In the challenging and evolving world of a professional cyclocross racer, Jeremy Powers can always count on one thing, the unwavering and loving support from his family and friends.

Especially from his parents, Michael and Kathy, who've been firmly behind their son's journey from his early days on the junior circuit to four national championship wins.

"They were totally in (from the start)," Powers said. "They love it. The proudest moments of my career have been national titles that I've been able to win in front of them."

Powers will have a chance to add to his list of proud moments on Sunday when he competes in the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship at Riverside Park in Hartford. The elite men's race begins at 3 p.m., following the women's event.

The race location is roughly halfway between his current home in Southampton, Mass., and where he grew up in East Lyme. The Jeremy Powers fan club will be out in force.

Powers, 33, would love to reward his faithful following with a podium finish. He's locked in on accomplishing his goal and blocking out any potential distractions that come with a homecoming race.

"It will definitely be very special for me," Powers said. "My best version of myself is when I'm just super focused. The majority of people there will be excited to see me. They want to see me do well. I always keep that in the back of my head.

"... I will make sure I'm very focused on the day versus trying to be a good host. Everyone understands that. I expect a large group of my close friends from East Lyme and Niantic to be there. ... It will not be distracting. They're going to bring me a lot of energy."

Powers could benefit from an extra surge of energy. He enters the national championship race in an unfamiliar position, considering himself an underdog.

Up until this point, it's been a frustrating season for Powers, who competes for Aspire Racing.

After recording two early victories, he injured his rib cage in a crash during warm-ups before a September race in Madison, Wisconsin. He tried to fight his way through the pain but his performances suffered. Compounding his problems, he got the flu.

The health issues forced him to alter his schedule and damaged his ranking.

"I had put in a lot of work and I just didn't just bear any fruit from that," Powers said. "It was frustrating. I feel like I had some strong races maybe overshadowed by some of the other riders riding very well.

"... These things happen. I wish they didn't but they do. It stinks but I'm making the best of it. There's been a lot of learning in the process. It's nice to come in a little bit of an underdog."

He feels healthy now after spending three weeks training in New Mexico to prepare for nationals. His batteries are re-charged. During the same period, his toughest competitors, including national championship race favorite Stephen Hyde, endured a grueling schedule traveling to Europe.

Still, it will be difficult to extend his national championship winning streak to four straight.

"In theory, there is enough here to win the national title," Powers said. "But we have to race on Sunday to find out.

"I'm being a realist where I'm at. I haven't won a race since September. Do I believe I can win the race mentally? Yeah, I do. Am I trying to shift some of the expectations off of me so I can go in with a little less stress? Yeah, I am. Do I want to win the race? Yes, I do.

"To me, this is my work. This is how I judge what I do. I'm very focused on that. ... So there's no question in my mind I want to win this race especially in front of such a local crowd from my Connecticut days and from Western Massachusetts. It's the best of both worlds to put a race in the middle of two places that I've basically called home my entire life."

The roughly two-mile Riverside Park course is a challenging one, featuring a variety of surfaces, tight technical sections and hills that will force riders to dismount and run carrying their bikes.

With temperatures expected to be in the 20's following a day of snow, riders will have to deal with a slippery track.

Powers took some practice laps in the days leading up to Sunday's race.

"There's a large amount of running which is not typical for American cyclocross," Powers said. "I would say there's at least a minute worth of running per lap. That's not insignificant. That is not my strongest suit but the rest of the course has a lot of power output, which is my strength.

"I think there will be five to six riders that will be very evenly matched on this course that could potentially win, although I think some of them are more dark horses than others. But it is definitely something that I could do well on."

No matter the results, Sunday will be a day to remember for Powers.

From the start, both parents fully supported their son's decision to purse a professional racing career. They often travel to their son's races.

Michael Powers has been busy spreading the word about the national championship race. Driving his Flavor King Ice Cream truck, he dishes out updates about his son's career along with treats.

"If there are a 1,000 people from Waterford and New London at the race that I don't know that are friends of my dad, I wouldn't be surprised," Powers said with a laugh. "He talks to people every single day. It's so good. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree with the enthusiasm."

It could be one of his last national championship races, too. He's planning to compete next season but he's unsure of his future after that.

Chances are he'll remained involved with the sport when he steps away.

"I do love the sport," Powers said. "I have so much passion for it. There's a lot of opportunities and a lot of things that I'd like to do."

His competitive fires are still burning brightly. He is heading overseas on Tuesday to compete on the World Cup circuit, with stops in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. He'll finish his season in Japan.

First, he has some business to take care of in Hartford. Motivation certainly won't be an issue on Sunday.

"You do the sport for many different reasons," Powers said. "I do it for myself, first and foremost, and my family. I do not have any doubts that these are the people that put me on my bike every single day."

g.keefe@theday.com