PRESS RELEASE: Gearworks 'cross provides preview of nats

Those racers motivated enough to push away from a second helping of turkey and toe the line at the Gearworks Bay State Cyclo-Cross Saturday in Sterling, Massachusetts, will get a sneak preview of what to expect from December's U.S. Cycling Federation Cyclo-cross National Championships in Rhode Island. Round four of the 2005 Verge New England Championships Cyclo-Cross Series, presented by Cycle-Smart, Gearworks will use a course designed by veteran Tom Stevens, the man also responsible for laying out the course at nationals."The two courses are very, very similar and the weather conditions will be about the same too," said Stevens. "They're both wide open with some hillsides and almost the exact same amount of elevation gain. If there's one course this year that will best prepare you for nationals, this is it."

The forecast for a holiday week of inclement weather should have Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) licking his chops as he enters Sterling. Johnson, leader of the elite men's Verge series, always excels in bad conditions and the prospect of snow and mud seems perfect for the former National Champion. But four-time defending Verge NECCS champion Mark McCormack (Team Clif Bar), sitting second in the points race, has also proven himself handy in the late-fall muck over his career. The elite men's race promises strong performances from the Fior di Frutta duo of Michael Cody and Matt White as well as U-23 Series leader and overall threat Jesse Anthony (Team Clif Bar). And Connecticut's own Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel), fresh off his turn on the European World Cup circuit, is rumored to have the Sterling race penciled in on his schedule.

Having gone a perfect three-for-three in Verge NECCS races in 2005, Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) will look to keep her streak alive in Sterling. Coming off her only defeat, at the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross finals last weekend in San Francisco, the reigning Canadian champion will face a top regional field, including Tara Ross (Victory Brewing), Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication), Mackenzie Dickey (Bicycle Alley), Amy Wallace (Verizon Wireless), and Rebecca Wellons (GearWorks-SpinArts).

Going into the Gearworks Bay State Cyclo-Cross, Verge NECCS leaders are as follows:

* Elite men: Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau).
* Elite women: Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau).
* Under-23 men: Jesse Anthony (Team Clif Bar).
* Masters 35+: Jonny Bold (Corner Cycle).
* Masters 45+: Chris Long (Independent Fabrication-Gotham).
* Junior men: Jerome Townsend (Bicycle Alley).
* B Men: Pascal Bussibres (Abbrsuz LA GoeLiche).
* Cub Juniors: Jared Reuta (44Velo).
* Masters 55+: Phil Bannister (Putney-West Hill).

Following the Gearworks race, just two races remain in the series: the W. E. Stedman Co. Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross December 3 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island; and the Castor's Grand Prix December 4 in Warwick, Rhode Island.

The 2005 Verge NECCS is sponsored by Verge Sport, makers of quality cycling apparel, and specializing in custom clothing orders; Cycle-Smart: Solutions for Cycling, personalized coaching for all cycling disciplines: Greyhound Juice, warming salves and skin care products for all athletes; Felt Bicycles, builders of the best bicycles in the world: BikeReg.com, the solution for all of your online registration needs for cycling events; and Litmus Designs, integrating web technology and graphic design solutions for your business needs.

For more information on the 2005 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series please go to www.necyclocross.com