Thrilling Finish at Boulder CX #2
By: Ryan Amirault, cyclocrossELEMENTS.com
Photos: PelotonPhoto.com
Photos: PelotonPhoto.com
(Broomfield, CO, October 23) : The stage was set for another picturesque day of grueling cyclocross racing in Colorado on Sunday. Broomfield, a town just south of Boulder was the site for race #2 of the Boulder Cyclocross Series promoted by Brian Hludzinski and Boulder Racing. This course was far from being a typical Colorado cyclocross course; it was more of a typical New England course!! The Interlocken Technology Park known for their high end golf course and hotel was home for the race. The course had something for every rider with twisty track through a pine tree grove, pavement, off-camber sections, and a first for the front range of Colorado...nearly 75% of the course was on grass! Twitchy corners favored those willing to let their tires do the work of holding on!
The Pro Men's race was the premier event of the day and while many of the nation's professional riders were out in Philly for the UCI races; Interlocken was not lacking on 'cross talent. The field saw many of the TIAA-CREF/CLIF BAR team members including Brandon Dwight, Brady Kappius, and Alex Coehlo. The young talent of Alan Obye (FOCUS), Adam McGrath (REDLINE), and Taylor Kneuven (BROADMARK) were also mixing it up with mountain bike legend Travis Brown (TREK).
The hour long event started off in the middle of a soccer field and Alex Coehlo took the first pull at the front of the race. The first few laps saw many changes at the helm of the race, but the crowd that formed in the triple barrier run-up section quickly saw the strongmen of the race take the lead. A pack of four riders including Travis Brown, Alan Obye, Brandon Dwight, and Peter Webber were able to break free from the race. These four riders kept the tempo out of reach from anyone and worked together to further their lead. The jostling for the front position was intense especially through the barrier sections and with 20 minutes to go, crowd pleaser Brandon Dwight who had been bunny-hopping barriers all day threw down a monstrous attack. The attack was launched after Dwight bunny-hopped the last barrier in the set of three set up in the run-up bowl section of the course. The crowd erupted and with adrenaline flowing through Dwight's veins like gas through an SUV he quickly gapped Obye, Brown, and Webber. The attack was magnificently placed by Dwight, but there was still 20 minutes left in this race.
After holding his lead over a charging pack of three for nearly
8 minutes, Dwight was pulled back in by Brown and Obye. The tables would turn again when Obye and Dwight put their legs together and put Brown behind them. A charging T-Brown was now hot on the wheels of Obye and Dwight only 10 seconds back. Going into the last lap the gap between the three riders remained at 10 seconds and Brown spinning his pink singlespeed Trek at an outrageous cadence was within striking distance and in great position of the hunted. With only the last barrier section to go in the course Brandon Dwight lit one last rocket pulling away from Obye on the pavement. Dwight knew what it would take to win this race and took a chance. That chance that so many have taken in racing does not always yield the results, but instead end in disaster. Just before hitting the grass the tires of Brandon came out from under him and after sliding on the ground for nearly 30 feet Brandon was able to get back onto his bike, but not before Obye and Brown passed him regaining the lead. Today was anyone's race between Dwight, Obye, and Brown. These riders put on a 'cross clinic for the cowbell ringing fans and in the end Alan Obye from Mendon, Vermont was the victor!
The Pro Men's race was the premier event of the day and while many of the nation's professional riders were out in Philly for the UCI races; Interlocken was not lacking on 'cross talent. The field saw many of the TIAA-CREF/CLIF BAR team members including Brandon Dwight, Brady Kappius, and Alex Coehlo. The young talent of Alan Obye (FOCUS), Adam McGrath (REDLINE), and Taylor Kneuven (BROADMARK) were also mixing it up with mountain bike legend Travis Brown (TREK).
The hour long event started off in the middle of a soccer field and Alex Coehlo took the first pull at the front of the race. The first few laps saw many changes at the helm of the race, but the crowd that formed in the triple barrier run-up section quickly saw the strongmen of the race take the lead. A pack of four riders including Travis Brown, Alan Obye, Brandon Dwight, and Peter Webber were able to break free from the race. These four riders kept the tempo out of reach from anyone and worked together to further their lead. The jostling for the front position was intense especially through the barrier sections and with 20 minutes to go, crowd pleaser Brandon Dwight who had been bunny-hopping barriers all day threw down a monstrous attack. The attack was launched after Dwight bunny-hopped the last barrier in the set of three set up in the run-up bowl section of the course. The crowd erupted and with adrenaline flowing through Dwight's veins like gas through an SUV he quickly gapped Obye, Brown, and Webber. The attack was magnificently placed by Dwight, but there was still 20 minutes left in this race.After holding his lead over a charging pack of three for nearly
8 minutes, Dwight was pulled back in by Brown and Obye. The tables would turn again when Obye and Dwight put their legs together and put Brown behind them. A charging T-Brown was now hot on the wheels of Obye and Dwight only 10 seconds back. Going into the last lap the gap between the three riders remained at 10 seconds and Brown spinning his pink singlespeed Trek at an outrageous cadence was within striking distance and in great position of the hunted. With only the last barrier section to go in the course Brandon Dwight lit one last rocket pulling away from Obye on the pavement. Dwight knew what it would take to win this race and took a chance. That chance that so many have taken in racing does not always yield the results, but instead end in disaster. Just before hitting the grass the tires of Brandon came out from under him and after sliding on the ground for nearly 30 feet Brandon was able to get back onto his bike, but not before Obye and Brown passed him regaining the lead. Today was anyone's race between Dwight, Obye, and Brown. These riders put on a 'cross clinic for the cowbell ringing fans and in the end Alan Obye from Mendon, Vermont was the victor!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Sunday, October 23, 2005
