Cyclocross racing was developed in Europe and today one of the most popular and rapidly growing cycling event. Why is came to be so popular, simply because 'cross include everything what cycling could, cornering, technical transitions, accelerations, running, descending, time trialing and everyone find something to improve to doing it. Roadies and mountain bikers to remain fit during the off season, and these intense events help to maintain and improve everyone skills, develop a great anaerobic system and lactate tolerance.
My experience, if you do one off season 'cross or off road riding, that is pretty much equal with 2-3 years road or crit racing, and you will develop a better bike handling skill.

If any of you taking 'cross races a little bit more seriously or you just start to dig yourself into it, some of the basic techniques need to be well practiced and require being able to ride over some technical, loose sandy or really muddy sections with higher cadences, dismounting and remounting back as soon as you can without losing speed to get over barriers, running up hills, and make turns without losing too much time and speed.

After you tried cyclocross one time, and see your weakness during the race, learn to deal with all the different challenges and be better to keep practicing them, you are gonna fall in love and 'cross is always gonna be in your racing calendar....guarantee!!!