posted by Ryan Amirault at Saturday, December 24, 2005
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Cyclists on board for the Cyclocross experience
By: Jessica Fish, St. Petersburg Times :: Florida's competitive USA Cycling team members are signing up for next month's Florida State Cyclocross Championships, event organizer Lance Riddile said. This is a chance for area riders and fans to get a closeup view of the challenging, European-style sport, which includes running, cycling and dismounting your bike on a wooded or grassy steeplechase course with obstacles.
"The responses are coming from all over the country now, because of the Velo-News Magazine ad we ran last week," Riddile said. "Cyclocross is at an all-time high now, as far as participation in U.S. events. There were 2,000 riders at nationals last week."
Riddile, who works as a city of Largo recreation supervisor, said several local teams have cyclocross experience and are registering for the series.
Road riders said they hope for fast, dry conditions, in which they can go at offroad riders.
Mountain bike racers joined Southwest Association Of Mountain Bike Pedallers Club riders on north Tampa trails last week and said that they are hoping for the most wet, muddy and treacherous conditions, where they plan to use their offroad technical skills.
USA Cycling awarded Riddile's series the state championship designation for 2006. Race dates for championship points will be Jan. 15, Jan. 22, Feb. 19 and Feb. 26, at the Largo Central Park Nature Preserve on Highland Avenue.
To register or volunteer contact Riddile at lriddile@largo.com or call 727 518-3021.
TEAM ACTION WHEELSPORT: St. Petersburg's Team Action Wheelsport includes some of Florida's best mountain bike racers this season. Racing member and team organizer Markus Mittermayr said the overall championship medals won in Gone Riding's Fall Championship Points Series made the sponsors happy. This is expected to be one of the top local teams among Masters and Sport Women categories at the cyclocross event.
"Our team had a great fall mountain bike racing season, with medals all around," Mittermayr said. "We were really happy. We now look forward to some relaxation. But, in January, we start doing some cyclocross and road racing until the spring mountain bike racing season begins again."
Team Action Wheelsport members raced in all eight offroad points races at some of Florida's best locations, such as Razorback MTB Park in Reddick, Tom Brown Park in Tallahassee, Santos Trails in Belleview, Hanna Park in Jacksonville, Oleta River State Park in North Miami and Alafia River State Park in Brandon.
Among the team's medal winners from Team Action Wheelsport were Steve Pavent (second in Master Sport 40+
); Mittermayr (third, Master Expert 50+ ); Jolie Pavent (fifth, Sport Women) and Cliff Powers (fifth, Master Beginners 40+
NEPTUNE/FUJI TEAM: Bicycle racer Eddie Mullally has put together a formidable group of Category 1-2 riders on the new Neptune/Fuji Team, and they plan to kick off their season with the cyclocross series.
The team has current and former state champions, some with international experience. It might be Florida's biggest hope for keeping the Category 1-2 state title in Pinellas County.
"I think it's a great course, especially for down here in Florida," Mullally said. "What a great way for my riders to crosstrain, and prepare for the upcoming road racing season.
" Paul Kavan won a race or two out there last year, and he's as strong as ever. Paul is ... averaging about 400 miles per week. I would say he's one of our best riders, and he can win again. He's a nice guy and a dedicated team player. We may try to set up Josh Thornton for a win though. You never know."
The roster includes Mullally, 42, of Tarpon Springs; Kavan, 43, Tampa; Thornton, 26, San Antonio; Ian Jackson, 53, St. Petersburg; David Charpie, 44, Tarpon Springs; Tom Neal, 46, Crystal River; and Tim Sullivan, 31, Clearwater.
Kavan's wins include victories at Tour Of Tobago; Mexico City; and Florida state champion wins in road, criterium and 40-kilometer time trials.
Kavan said Jackson began his career by winning national track titles in his native Australia, before coming to America. With more than 100 victories on U.S. soil, Jackson's sprinting ability has helped him win big money criteriums since the mid 1970s. Both have raced in Europe. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
'Cross Nationals a Smashing Success
From www.ridezine.com :: PROVIDENCE, R,I., Dec.16 - Despite a weekend beset with bitter weather, illness, injury and dangerous travel, the proud moments prevailed at the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships. Racers dispatched from around the nation arrived in Providence to compete against rivals with reputations for excellence. Wunderkind Alex Coelho of Loveland, Colo. easily collected the stars-and-stripes jersey for the junior men 15-16 category while Arielle Filiberti of Worcester, Mass. edged out race favorite Stephanie White for first place in the junior women 17-18 category. Reporting to the start line all the way from Ronald, Wash. Dan Norton claimed a valiant victory in the master men 55-59 after a crash in the final lap left him with two dislocated fingers. At last check Norton was in search of a way to remove his wedding ring from his swollen finger.
Draw back the curtain on this year's cyclo-cross nationals and the militia of staff, volunteers, vendors and supporters, who were onsite before dawn to do everything from clear the course of snow and ice to marshal races throughout the day, would have made Chairman Mao blush.
"There were a lot of heroics on the bikes worth noting, but what most impressed me was the turnout of volunteers after the storm on Friday," said Richard Fries, communications director. "We had a 3,200-meter course covered with eight inches of wet snow. Our announcer, Joel Brown, himself on crutches after a mishap in the masters race, worked the phone and got four Rhode Island clubs to respond like Minutemen. When we arrived Saturday morning at 4:30 a.m., the snow was all ready flying. If people did not have shovels they used coroplast signs. At 8 a.m. the sound came on, the grills were lit, the tents were heated, and we had a course worthy of the world championships."
For those who watched the massive expo tents on Friday inhale and exhale enormous gusts of wind without taking flight, a kinder, gentler Mother Nature rewarded fans and racers with two made-for-'cross days on Saturday and Sunday.
Weary yet charged promoters of the first ever Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships have already commenced plans for next year's national championships scheduled to take place December 15-17, 2006. Keep watch over www.cyclocrossnationals.com for more information as it develops.
Thanks for the most successful national cyclo-cross championship to date. See you next season!
Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships by the numbers
This year's national championship event saw unprecedented growth in cyclo-cross. The sport's surge in numbers could be credited to how accessible races are and how conveniently a training schedule can fit into a busy person's life. Or maybe it's that cyclo-cross answers to a primeval desire to find the sweet spot between power and pain.
"We used to be able to put on cyclo-cross nationals in a schoolyard over a weekend because there used to only be 300-400 entrants," said Justin Rogers, national events director for USA Cycling. "Given how much it's grown, we just can't do that anymore."
2005 saw 1,700 entrants in 30 categories. That represents a 41 percent growth over 2004's previous record of 1,200 entrants.
There's more...
2,500 people from around the world tuned in to Saturday's live broadcast of the elite men's race on cyclocrossnationals.com The hour+ program, produced by Adventure Sports Radio, brought listeners to the heart of the action live from the mainstage.
What they said...
About the event:
Liberty Mutual
"This event has given us some great exposure; we're supporting a great event and organization. People from around the country are here; we've met people from San Francisco and Colorado. It's a growing sport and something we'll probably want to be affiliated with."
"A lot of the racers have come by and thanked Liberty Mutual for their sponsorship said 'this was one of the best races and events they've been to' and we are just very privileged to be able to sponsor this."
-George Ihle, District Sales Manager for Liberty Mutual in Providence
Specialized
About the weather:
"I am relatively new to cyclo-cross so for me it's been an exciting event and it's good for us to get out on the East Coast and experience some real weather!"
"I think the course layout is fantastic--it's the perfect spectator-friendly location. You can watch the race from a lot of different angles right from the center. The expo tent and being in the center of it all has been good for us. We've been pretty pleased other than the first day of mud, sleet, snow and rain but that made it perfect for the culture of cyclo-cross."
-Heather Lynch, US Marketing Manager for Specialized
Tim Johnson
About the Liberty Cup:
"I had a great race, I thought it was a great way to end the season. For Todd and I and Adam, this was our last 'cross race of the year. Everybody that did the race has to thank Providence for having us and Liberty Mutual for putting on the race. I mean to have almost 2,000 racers freezing our asses off for a weekend, it's been a great weekend."
-Tim Johnson, 2nd in the inaugural Liberty Cup
"It was perfect, I mean this is an old, time-honored tradition from the old SuperCup days. There was always a SuperCup the day after Nationals so it's awesome to have. You race the Nationals--everyone is super focused and on it--and then today, you know, we're all riding around together, discussing the rules of the race, which Tim didn't obey 'cause he beat me...one of the rules was that Tim wasn't allowed to beat me! That was a rule!"
-Adam Craig, 3rd in the inaugural Liberty Cup
TJ on beating AC
"I had no gloves, I started second row--I gave him a headstart in the beginning. I did far more than was necessary." -TJ
Only A Game to broadcast the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships starting Saturday, Dec. 17
'Tis the season to be jolly...especially if your school is raking in the big bowl bucks. This week on Only A Game, a visit from the spirits of bowl games past and present. Also, the Cyclocross National Championships, and Only A Game's 13th Annual Holiday Gift Guide!
Check your local NPR station for program times or visit www.onlyagame.org for station listings. Read more!
Draw back the curtain on this year's cyclo-cross nationals and the militia of staff, volunteers, vendors and supporters, who were onsite before dawn to do everything from clear the course of snow and ice to marshal races throughout the day, would have made Chairman Mao blush.
"There were a lot of heroics on the bikes worth noting, but what most impressed me was the turnout of volunteers after the storm on Friday," said Richard Fries, communications director. "We had a 3,200-meter course covered with eight inches of wet snow. Our announcer, Joel Brown, himself on crutches after a mishap in the masters race, worked the phone and got four Rhode Island clubs to respond like Minutemen. When we arrived Saturday morning at 4:30 a.m., the snow was all ready flying. If people did not have shovels they used coroplast signs. At 8 a.m. the sound came on, the grills were lit, the tents were heated, and we had a course worthy of the world championships."
For those who watched the massive expo tents on Friday inhale and exhale enormous gusts of wind without taking flight, a kinder, gentler Mother Nature rewarded fans and racers with two made-for-'cross days on Saturday and Sunday.
Weary yet charged promoters of the first ever Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships have already commenced plans for next year's national championships scheduled to take place December 15-17, 2006. Keep watch over www.cyclocrossnationals.com for more information as it develops.
Thanks for the most successful national cyclo-cross championship to date. See you next season!
Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships by the numbers
This year's national championship event saw unprecedented growth in cyclo-cross. The sport's surge in numbers could be credited to how accessible races are and how conveniently a training schedule can fit into a busy person's life. Or maybe it's that cyclo-cross answers to a primeval desire to find the sweet spot between power and pain.
"We used to be able to put on cyclo-cross nationals in a schoolyard over a weekend because there used to only be 300-400 entrants," said Justin Rogers, national events director for USA Cycling. "Given how much it's grown, we just can't do that anymore."
2005 saw 1,700 entrants in 30 categories. That represents a 41 percent growth over 2004's previous record of 1,200 entrants.
There's more...
2,500 people from around the world tuned in to Saturday's live broadcast of the elite men's race on cyclocrossnationals.com The hour+ program, produced by Adventure Sports Radio, brought listeners to the heart of the action live from the mainstage.
What they said...
About the event:
Liberty Mutual
"This event has given us some great exposure; we're supporting a great event and organization. People from around the country are here; we've met people from San Francisco and Colorado. It's a growing sport and something we'll probably want to be affiliated with."
"A lot of the racers have come by and thanked Liberty Mutual for their sponsorship said 'this was one of the best races and events they've been to' and we are just very privileged to be able to sponsor this."
-George Ihle, District Sales Manager for Liberty Mutual in Providence
Specialized
About the weather:
"I am relatively new to cyclo-cross so for me it's been an exciting event and it's good for us to get out on the East Coast and experience some real weather!"
"I think the course layout is fantastic--it's the perfect spectator-friendly location. You can watch the race from a lot of different angles right from the center. The expo tent and being in the center of it all has been good for us. We've been pretty pleased other than the first day of mud, sleet, snow and rain but that made it perfect for the culture of cyclo-cross."
-Heather Lynch, US Marketing Manager for Specialized
Tim Johnson
About the Liberty Cup:
"I had a great race, I thought it was a great way to end the season. For Todd and I and Adam, this was our last 'cross race of the year. Everybody that did the race has to thank Providence for having us and Liberty Mutual for putting on the race. I mean to have almost 2,000 racers freezing our asses off for a weekend, it's been a great weekend."
-Tim Johnson, 2nd in the inaugural Liberty Cup
"It was perfect, I mean this is an old, time-honored tradition from the old SuperCup days. There was always a SuperCup the day after Nationals so it's awesome to have. You race the Nationals--everyone is super focused and on it--and then today, you know, we're all riding around together, discussing the rules of the race, which Tim didn't obey 'cause he beat me...one of the rules was that Tim wasn't allowed to beat me! That was a rule!"
-Adam Craig, 3rd in the inaugural Liberty Cup
TJ on beating AC
"I had no gloves, I started second row--I gave him a headstart in the beginning. I did far more than was necessary." -TJ
Only A Game to broadcast the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships starting Saturday, Dec. 17
'Tis the season to be jolly...especially if your school is raking in the big bowl bucks. This week on Only A Game, a visit from the spirits of bowl games past and present. Also, the Cyclocross National Championships, and Only A Game's 13th Annual Holiday Gift Guide!
Check your local NPR station for program times or visit www.onlyagame.org for station listings. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Todd Wells Exclusive Interview and Seattle U23's to Belgium on SeattleCyclocross.com
SeattleCyclocross.com Press Release, December 18, 2005 by Evan Schmitt :: Greetings all, during my travels to the east coast for the US national cyclocross nationals, I had the chance to interview a good friend and Elite Men's race winner, Todd Wells.Jet on over to www.seattlecyclocross.com to watch my exclusive interview with the newly crowned champ and stay tuned for reports on two Seattle U23 riders on their adventures in Europe. Dan Neyens(Rad Racing Northwest) and Morgan Schmitt(Redline Bicycles) will be going to Belgium for two weeks for a Christmas cyclocross camp and will be documenting their trip on personal blogs which you will be able to find on SeattleCyclocross.com.
So if you didn't make the trek over to Rhode Island, experience it first hand through the words of the fastest man there. And if you were there, then you'll recieve first hand commentary behind the race from a unique perspective. Be sure to stay tuned for updates from our local riders hitting up the mecca of cyclocross!
Happy Holidays and a Healthy, Happy New Year,
Evan Schmitt
Webmaster/Filmmaker/Lawn Artist/Snowshoveler/Runner/Skier/Biker
SeattleCyclocross.com
Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Friday, December 16, 2005
Swanson wins Cyclo-cross bike race
The Daily Press - Ashland, WI :: (DULUTH, Minn.) — Ashland's Aaron Swanson wrapped up a successful cycling season with a final victory at the Spirit Mountain Cyclo-cross race.Cyclo-cross is traditionally the final discipline in the cycling season, long considered to be for the diehards of cycling enthusiasts due to the speed and intensity of the race as well as the typical adverse weather conditions of late fall and early winter. It is a bike race that is a hybrid of road and off-road cycling.
Cyclists compete on a tightly woven course for a timed period, ranging from 30-60 minutes. Designed with hurdles and steep slopes, courses force racers to dismount their bikes and run for short sections on the course. These compact courses create fan-friendly race venues, with spectators able to watch nearly all of the racing action. Racers compete regardless of weather conditions.
In the 45-minute event, Swanson — while at the back of the field to start — was able to move up and hold close to the lead racers through the faster early laps of the race. After countering several surges by other lead racers in the middle of the race, Swanson was able to pull away in the final laps on the hill climbs and muddy off-road sections to take first.
This was Swanson's first-ever attempt at cyclo-cross racing and his fourth overall victory in the 2005 cycling season. Read more!
Cyclists compete on a tightly woven course for a timed period, ranging from 30-60 minutes. Designed with hurdles and steep slopes, courses force racers to dismount their bikes and run for short sections on the course. These compact courses create fan-friendly race venues, with spectators able to watch nearly all of the racing action. Racers compete regardless of weather conditions.
In the 45-minute event, Swanson — while at the back of the field to start — was able to move up and hold close to the lead racers through the faster early laps of the race. After countering several surges by other lead racers in the middle of the race, Swanson was able to pull away in the final laps on the hill climbs and muddy off-road sections to take first.
This was Swanson's first-ever attempt at cyclo-cross racing and his fourth overall victory in the 2005 cycling season. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Friday, December 16, 2005
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Cycling celebration Friday
By: Durango Herald :: Durango and Fort Lewis College will celebrate cycling on Friday - in a big, big way. Fort Lewis College will present Celebrating Cycling Success in Durango at the Community Concert Hall in a special funderaiser Friday night.
The event is a benefit for the Fort Lewis cycling team, Durango Wheel Club junior development and cycling advocacy.
Doors open at 5 p.m.
A social and silent auction will be held from 5:30-6:15 p.m.
The awards program takes place from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
A special dinner will follow the awards program at 7:45 p.m.
Master of ceremonies for the event is Bob Roll, a four-time Tour de France rider, cycling author and commentator for the Outdoor Life Network.
Roll, who lives in Durango, is the first American bicycle racer to compete in both the Tour de France and the Mountain Bike World Cup.
He's the author of the Tour de France Companion and other books.
Discovery Team rider Tom Danielson, a Fort Lewis alumnus who is known to some (including Danielson's Discovery teammate Lance Armstrong) as the "mayor of Durango," will be featured with cyclists like national road race champion Chris Wherry and national cyclo-cross champion Todd Wells (also a Fort Lewis alumnus), both of Durango.
In addition to Danielson, Wherry and Wells, Celebrating Cycling Success in Durango features U.S. Olympic team members Michael and Dede Barry, six-time national mountain biking champion Ned Overend and 2005 U.S. short track national champion Shonny Vanlandingham, among others.
Also, Fort Lewis College's award-winning cyclists will be honored. The Skyhawks have won 11 team national championships in cycling - six in mountain biking, three in cyclo-cross and two in road racing - including the 2005 collegiate Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-Cross Championship last weekend in Providence, R.I.
The Skyhawks finished second in the nation by a mere 10 points to the University of Colorado at the 2005 National Collegiate Cycling Association Mountain Bike National Championships in Champion, Pa., in late October.
"This cyclo-cross team championship continues Fort Lewis College's dominance of national collegiate cycling," said President Brad Bartel. "We are proud of the team's accomplishments."
Tickets cost $10 for students, $20 for adults in the balcony and orchestra and $25 for adults in the plaza.
A limited quantity of $100 dinner tickets are also available.
Purchase tickets online at www.durangoconcerts.com at the Concert Hall's new downtown ticket office at 707½ Main Ave., or by calling 247-7657.
The downtown ticket office will be open through 6 p.m. on Friday evening.
The campus box office at Fort Lewis will be open for ticket sales at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
"Donate to a great cause, bid on exciting items, meet some great cycling people and have fun," Danielson said on his Web site, www.tomdanielson.com while encouraging the public to attend. Read more!
The event is a benefit for the Fort Lewis cycling team, Durango Wheel Club junior development and cycling advocacy.
Doors open at 5 p.m.
A social and silent auction will be held from 5:30-6:15 p.m.
The awards program takes place from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
A special dinner will follow the awards program at 7:45 p.m.
Master of ceremonies for the event is Bob Roll, a four-time Tour de France rider, cycling author and commentator for the Outdoor Life Network.
Roll, who lives in Durango, is the first American bicycle racer to compete in both the Tour de France and the Mountain Bike World Cup.
He's the author of the Tour de France Companion and other books.
Discovery Team rider Tom Danielson, a Fort Lewis alumnus who is known to some (including Danielson's Discovery teammate Lance Armstrong) as the "mayor of Durango," will be featured with cyclists like national road race champion Chris Wherry and national cyclo-cross champion Todd Wells (also a Fort Lewis alumnus), both of Durango.
In addition to Danielson, Wherry and Wells, Celebrating Cycling Success in Durango features U.S. Olympic team members Michael and Dede Barry, six-time national mountain biking champion Ned Overend and 2005 U.S. short track national champion Shonny Vanlandingham, among others.
Also, Fort Lewis College's award-winning cyclists will be honored. The Skyhawks have won 11 team national championships in cycling - six in mountain biking, three in cyclo-cross and two in road racing - including the 2005 collegiate Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-Cross Championship last weekend in Providence, R.I.
The Skyhawks finished second in the nation by a mere 10 points to the University of Colorado at the 2005 National Collegiate Cycling Association Mountain Bike National Championships in Champion, Pa., in late October.
"This cyclo-cross team championship continues Fort Lewis College's dominance of national collegiate cycling," said President Brad Bartel. "We are proud of the team's accomplishments."
Tickets cost $10 for students, $20 for adults in the balcony and orchestra and $25 for adults in the plaza.
A limited quantity of $100 dinner tickets are also available.
Purchase tickets online at www.durangoconcerts.com at the Concert Hall's new downtown ticket office at 707½ Main Ave., or by calling 247-7657.
The downtown ticket office will be open through 6 p.m. on Friday evening.
The campus box office at Fort Lewis will be open for ticket sales at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
"Donate to a great cause, bid on exciting items, meet some great cycling people and have fun," Danielson said on his Web site, www.tomdanielson.com while encouraging the public to attend. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Thursday, December 15, 2005
Five earn automatic nominations for CX Worlds
Colorado Springs, Colo. (December 12, 2005)--USA Cycling announced five automatic nominations to the 2006 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships squad today. Per USA Cycling’s selection procedures, Daniel Summerhill (Englewood, Colo.) earned an automatic bid after capturing the junior men’s national championship at the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross championships over the weekend.
Troy Wells (TIAA-CREF/Durango, Colo.) and Jesse Anthony (Clif Bar/Beverly, Mass.) each earned automatic selections to the team in the U23 category. Wells rode to a national title on Saturday to earn his selection while Anthony won the 2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross series to earn his.
Katie Compton (Redline/Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Barbara Howe (Velo Bella/Larkspur, Calif.) earned spots on the elite women’s team. Compton rode to her second consecutive national title on Sunday while Howe was the highest-placed American in third at the conclusion of the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross.
Automatic nominations for the elite men will be announced on January 10.
Discretionary nominations for the elite women, junior and U23 men will be announced on December 15.
Discretionary nominations for the elite men will be announced on January 13.
The 2006 UCI World Cyclo-cross Championships will be held January 28-29 in Zeddam, The Netherlands. Read more!
Troy Wells (TIAA-CREF/Durango, Colo.) and Jesse Anthony (Clif Bar/Beverly, Mass.) each earned automatic selections to the team in the U23 category. Wells rode to a national title on Saturday to earn his selection while Anthony won the 2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross series to earn his.
Katie Compton (Redline/Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Barbara Howe (Velo Bella/Larkspur, Calif.) earned spots on the elite women’s team. Compton rode to her second consecutive national title on Sunday while Howe was the highest-placed American in third at the conclusion of the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross.
Automatic nominations for the elite men will be announced on January 10.
Discretionary nominations for the elite women, junior and U23 men will be announced on December 15.
Discretionary nominations for the elite men will be announced on January 13.
The 2006 UCI World Cyclo-cross Championships will be held January 28-29 in Zeddam, The Netherlands. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Thursday, December 15, 2005
Wells brothers win nationals: Todd, Troy win cyclo-cross titles, FLC wins team championship
By: Marc Witkes, Durango Herald Online :: If you think that biking is only an activity for the sunny, warm days of summer, think again. Despite nasty weather conditions that included ice, slush, snow and mud, Durango cyclists continued their frequent podium visits at the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships at Roger Williams Park in Providence, R.I. The three-day weekend events, Dec. 9-11, included 1,400 competitors.
The Wells' brothers, Todd and Troy, each took home national championships, while Fort Lewis College won the collegiate championship. Todd races for GT Hyundai while Troy, a student at Fort Lewis College, races for TIAA-CREF/Clif Bar.
Cyclo-cross, a mix of road and mountain biking, running and leaping over various obstacles with the bike hoisted atop a shoulder, including hay bales and other barriers, has been popular in Europe for several years, but is finally catching on in the United States.
During the cyclo-cross season, which begins in the fall, when road and mountain biking is finishing up, older brother, Todd, 30, had been focusing all of his energies on the national championship.
"It's the only race everyone cares about," explained Wells, as he prepared for the weekend's championship. "The weather is supposed to be snowy, and my brother and I both seem to do well in poor conditions."
Despite crashing and breaking his handlebars early in the men's pro race on Saturday, Todd held on for a 14-second margin of victory over Ryan Trebon.
"Fortunately, you are able to switch bikes in cyclo-cross, and I picked up a new bike on the next lap," Todd said.
"It's satisfying to accomplish my goal."
Todd was on his way to Mexico for a little rest and relaxation after another long, but successful, season of professional cycling.
Earlier in the day, Todd watched Troy dust (or rather, mud) the competition in the under-23 national championship.
"It was amazing to see my brother win," Todd said.
Troy, 21, pushed hard at the start of the race and then backed off a little after he opened a little gap during the second and third laps.
"The course was covered with ice and snow and I wanted to be conservative," Troy said. "There were also four run-ups (dismounting and running with the bike) during each lap, and I don't like those and would rather just stay on the bike."
With a busy weekend and still in transit back to Durango on Monday, Troy wasn't able to get much studying done for his final exams next week.
"After finals, I'm leaving on Dec. 21 to race in Europe for one and a half months," Troy said. "I'm excited to race, and last year I only got to stay there for two weeks."
The defending national collegiate champion, Fort Lewis was supposed to race on Friday but was forced to wait another day to claim its title again.
"It snowed all morning on Friday, it started raining, and there was a windstorm blowing three inches of snow sideways," said team manager Dave Hagen.
When conditions settled down on Saturday, the Skyhawks won their third consecutive national championship.
Matt Shriver finished second overall in the men's collegiate race.
"Cyclo-cross is usually not canceled but when I went out to do a few laps on Friday, I couldn't feel my fingers or toes, despite wearing booties, hat and lobster gloves," Shriver said. "I am not stoked for a race to be canceled, but the weather was so bad that even the insane racers of New England didn't want to be out there."
Hagen was thrilled with his team's performance.
"The whole team really stepped it up out here - everyone from our first rider down to our last," he said.
Grant Berry, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, finished 37th in the Elite Men's division while teammate Ryan Barthel finished 41st.
Shriver, racing for Kona/Easton, added a 47th-place finish in that event.
Other men's finishers in the collegiate races included Adam Snyder (7), Eric Ransom (11), Jon Belcher (21) and Mike Stevens (26).
In the women's collegiate race, Tina Dominic (3), Molly Hummel (8), Onawa Pelham (9) and Chantel Shoemaker (15) all had strong showings.
In the men's master race, Steve Lamont of the Durango Wheel Club finished 12th.
Sunday's races included the low-key Liberty Cup, but, both Todd Wells (1) and Shriver (16) decided to push the pace.
For complete race results, see cyclocrossnationals.com. Read more!
The Wells' brothers, Todd and Troy, each took home national championships, while Fort Lewis College won the collegiate championship. Todd races for GT Hyundai while Troy, a student at Fort Lewis College, races for TIAA-CREF/Clif Bar.
Cyclo-cross, a mix of road and mountain biking, running and leaping over various obstacles with the bike hoisted atop a shoulder, including hay bales and other barriers, has been popular in Europe for several years, but is finally catching on in the United States.
During the cyclo-cross season, which begins in the fall, when road and mountain biking is finishing up, older brother, Todd, 30, had been focusing all of his energies on the national championship.
"It's the only race everyone cares about," explained Wells, as he prepared for the weekend's championship. "The weather is supposed to be snowy, and my brother and I both seem to do well in poor conditions."
Despite crashing and breaking his handlebars early in the men's pro race on Saturday, Todd held on for a 14-second margin of victory over Ryan Trebon.
"Fortunately, you are able to switch bikes in cyclo-cross, and I picked up a new bike on the next lap," Todd said.
"It's satisfying to accomplish my goal."
Todd was on his way to Mexico for a little rest and relaxation after another long, but successful, season of professional cycling.
Earlier in the day, Todd watched Troy dust (or rather, mud) the competition in the under-23 national championship.
"It was amazing to see my brother win," Todd said.
Troy, 21, pushed hard at the start of the race and then backed off a little after he opened a little gap during the second and third laps.
"The course was covered with ice and snow and I wanted to be conservative," Troy said. "There were also four run-ups (dismounting and running with the bike) during each lap, and I don't like those and would rather just stay on the bike."
With a busy weekend and still in transit back to Durango on Monday, Troy wasn't able to get much studying done for his final exams next week.
"After finals, I'm leaving on Dec. 21 to race in Europe for one and a half months," Troy said. "I'm excited to race, and last year I only got to stay there for two weeks."
The defending national collegiate champion, Fort Lewis was supposed to race on Friday but was forced to wait another day to claim its title again.
"It snowed all morning on Friday, it started raining, and there was a windstorm blowing three inches of snow sideways," said team manager Dave Hagen.
When conditions settled down on Saturday, the Skyhawks won their third consecutive national championship.
Matt Shriver finished second overall in the men's collegiate race.
"Cyclo-cross is usually not canceled but when I went out to do a few laps on Friday, I couldn't feel my fingers or toes, despite wearing booties, hat and lobster gloves," Shriver said. "I am not stoked for a race to be canceled, but the weather was so bad that even the insane racers of New England didn't want to be out there."
Hagen was thrilled with his team's performance.
"The whole team really stepped it up out here - everyone from our first rider down to our last," he said.
Grant Berry, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, finished 37th in the Elite Men's division while teammate Ryan Barthel finished 41st.
Shriver, racing for Kona/Easton, added a 47th-place finish in that event.
Other men's finishers in the collegiate races included Adam Snyder (7), Eric Ransom (11), Jon Belcher (21) and Mike Stevens (26).
In the women's collegiate race, Tina Dominic (3), Molly Hummel (8), Onawa Pelham (9) and Chantel Shoemaker (15) all had strong showings.
In the men's master race, Steve Lamont of the Durango Wheel Club finished 12th.
Sunday's races included the low-key Liberty Cup, but, both Todd Wells (1) and Shriver (16) decided to push the pace.
For complete race results, see cyclocrossnationals.com. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Thursday, December 15, 2005
Webber, Dwight in top 3 at nationals
BY: The Daily Camera, Boulder, CO :: (PROVIDENCE, R.I.) — Two Colorado cyclists endured snow, sleet and near-gale-force winds over the weekend to earn podium finishes at the U.S. National Cyclo-Cross Championships.Boulder's Pete Webber finished second in the men's 35-39 age group race on Friday, with fellow Boulder rider Brandon Dwight right behind in third. Friday's races began in a cold rain, which soon turned to sleet and finally a driving snowstorm.
Boulder's Melissa Thomas had the highest finish of any local rider in the elite races, nabbing fifth in Sunday's women's race. Boulder's Megan Monroe was 18th in the elite women, while Christina Begy and Catherine Johnson were 30th and 31st, respectively.
In the elite men's race, Boulder's Jonathan Baker finished 10th, Webber was 13th and Boulder's White Debroux finished 24th. Other Boulder finishers in the elite men included Shawn Harshman (40th) and Dwight (49th).
Baker also finished eighth in the Liberty Cup Elite race while Debroux and Dwight were 14th and 15th, respectively.
Harshman was also 15th in the 35-39 age group race.
The University of Colorado's club team had three placers in the top 20, with Taylor Kneuven in fifth, John Miller in 14th and Bryan Alders in 15th.
Other Boulder age-group finishers included Zack Gold (6th in the junior men 10-12), Robert Bieterman (10th in the 50-54), Peter Stetina (23rd in the under-23) and Tim Downing (8th in the 50-55). Read more!
Boulder's Melissa Thomas had the highest finish of any local rider in the elite races, nabbing fifth in Sunday's women's race. Boulder's Megan Monroe was 18th in the elite women, while Christina Begy and Catherine Johnson were 30th and 31st, respectively.
In the elite men's race, Boulder's Jonathan Baker finished 10th, Webber was 13th and Boulder's White Debroux finished 24th. Other Boulder finishers in the elite men included Shawn Harshman (40th) and Dwight (49th).
Baker also finished eighth in the Liberty Cup Elite race while Debroux and Dwight were 14th and 15th, respectively.
Harshman was also 15th in the 35-39 age group race.
The University of Colorado's club team had three placers in the top 20, with Taylor Kneuven in fifth, John Miller in 14th and Bryan Alders in 15th.
Other Boulder age-group finishers included Zack Gold (6th in the junior men 10-12), Robert Bieterman (10th in the 50-54), Peter Stetina (23rd in the under-23) and Tim Downing (8th in the 50-55). Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Thursday, December 15, 2005
Compton takes first in cyclocross
BY: Delawareonline.com :: PROVIDENCE, R.I. ---Katie Compton of Colorado Springs, Colo., a former Wilmington resident, won the elite women's race for the second consecutive year in the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships.Compton, 27, took Sunday's race at Roger Williams Park by 1 minute, 30 seconds over Ann Knapp, of Des Moines, Wash. Compton finished in 39:55 to lead the field of 63 riders in the race covering 12.8 kilometers. Her victory came despite having to start from the back due to her lack of UCI (International Cycling Union) season points.
Several other Delaware riders had strong performances in the event, which ran Friday to Sunday:
• Rick Mihills, of Newark, finished 14th of 114 riders in the men's masters 40-44 age division. He covered the 16K distance in 4:38.
• Amy Breyla, of New Castle, took fifth among 41 riders in the women's B race, covering the 9.6K distance in 2:18, and was 11th in the women's masters 30-34 race in 5:06.
• Dan Wilson, of Wilmington, was 13th among 66 riders in the men's masters 30-34 division, covering 16K in 3:55, and 49th in the men's elite race.
• Paul Incognito, of Wilmington, was 37th among 125 riders in the men's B 35+ race, covering 12.8K in 6:15.
• James Ambagis, of Newark, was 41st in the men's B 35+ race in 6:50.
• Lisa Vible, of Wilmington, was 11th among 25 riders in the women's masters 40-44 race, covering 12.8K in 4:52.
• Jeff Bahnson, of Newark, was 14th among 24 riders in the men's junior 13-14 race.
• Dennis Smith, of Newark, was 78th among 95 riders in the men's masters 45-49 race. Read more!
Several other Delaware riders had strong performances in the event, which ran Friday to Sunday:
• Rick Mihills, of Newark, finished 14th of 114 riders in the men's masters 40-44 age division. He covered the 16K distance in 4:38.
• Amy Breyla, of New Castle, took fifth among 41 riders in the women's B race, covering the 9.6K distance in 2:18, and was 11th in the women's masters 30-34 race in 5:06.
• Dan Wilson, of Wilmington, was 13th among 66 riders in the men's masters 30-34 division, covering 16K in 3:55, and 49th in the men's elite race.
• Paul Incognito, of Wilmington, was 37th among 125 riders in the men's B 35+ race, covering 12.8K in 6:15.
• James Ambagis, of Newark, was 41st in the men's B 35+ race in 6:50.
• Lisa Vible, of Wilmington, was 11th among 25 riders in the women's masters 40-44 race, covering 12.8K in 4:52.
• Jeff Bahnson, of Newark, was 14th among 24 riders in the men's junior 13-14 race.
• Dennis Smith, of Newark, was 78th among 95 riders in the men's masters 45-49 race. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Thursday, December 15, 2005
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Cyclocross Nationals Photos
Photos from Day #3 at CX Nats are now posted! Check them out in the GALLERY!
Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Pictures from Day 3, CX Nats...
Will be posted tomorrow (Monday). Thanks. Now off to the Crank Bros. Aftermath Party in Providence! See ya!
Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Sunday, December 11, 2005
Well Done Todd and Troy Wells Earn National Titles
PROVIDENCE, RI (December 10, 2005) Day 2 of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships added a new chapter to the history books plus saw a few upsets to podium predictions as ice, slush, mud, mechanicals and illness jolted pre-race favorites out of order.In the U23 Men's race, Troy Wells executed a technically solid race to hold off Jesse Anthony, who flatted on the first lap, and to outpedal Brent Bookwalter, who clung to third place after winning the national collegiate title earlier in the day. After losing signifigant time to a flat, Anthony succeeded in working his way back into second place yet in the end he could never close the gap on Wells, whose consistency earned him the win.
"On the first lap I tried to start pretty hard so that I could stay out of trouble," Wells said. "I actually followed Brent around for two laps to learn the course because I only got to ride one lap and after Brent fell I kind of went to the front and tried to stay consistent and keep my gap at a consistent rate."
Less than two hours later, Troy's older brother, Todd, earned his second national cyclo-cross title on the same course, which had gone from slushy to icy as the sun went down. Although the Wells brothers had already discussed the possibility of both earning a national title, the truth was that racers with names like Anthony, Bookwalter, Page, Johnson, Craig, and Trebon stood in the way of reality.
"Right away myself and Trebon got off and then I crashed running up the stairs and broke my handlebars," said the older Wells. "I had to ride about a lap with broken handlebars and once I got a new bike, Trebon slipped up in once section and I passed him. In the final few laps you're just praying for the lap counter to go down. I was digging deep and I saw Trebon--he must have figured out some of the lines on the course because he had more power on the pavement sections but he wasn't riding the technical stuff as well."
Defending national champion Jonathan Page arrived at the race after a trip to the hospital the day before. A stomach illness of sorts bore down on Page with abandon and early this morning the question as to whether he would line up to race was raised. Wearing the Liberty Mutual kit, Page rode a strong, steady race to finish in an impressive third place, despite a bout with illness the day before.
Top six elite men are as follows:
1 Todd Wells (GT/Hyundai) Durango, Colo.
2 Ryan Trebon (Kona) Corvallis, Ore.
3 Johnathan Page (Liberty Mutual) Bedford, N.H.
4 Adam Craig (Giant/Pearl Izumi) Corinth, Maine
5 Tim Johnson (cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) Middleton, Mass.
6 Barry Wicks (Kona) Corvallis, Ore.
Mo Bruno
Master women 30-34 winner Maureen Bruno-Roy
photo: Chris Milliman
chrismilliman.com
After a frustrating incident in last year's master women 30-34 race, which kept Maureen Bruno-Roy from winning, Bruno-Roy claimed her first national cyclo-cross title in the 30-34 category. Citing consistency and power as key improvements over last year, Bruno- Roy seemed to have the race sewn up from the start and rode the race as a preview to tomorrow's elite women's race.
"Tomorrow's race is a bit of a crapshoot where no one really knows who is going to win," explained Bruno-Roy. "We don't really have a defined champion--we don't have somebody who is so far ahead. So many riders tomorrow could take it depending on the conditions and things like that so it's really exciting to be able to contest that race tomorrow."
Other category winners in Day 2 of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships include:
Junior Men 17-18
SUMMERHILL, Danny; TIAA-CREF/CLIF BAR Centennial, Colo.
Junior Men 15-16
COELHO, Alex; Loveland, Colo.
Junior Men 13-14
SWEDBERG, Benny; Rad Racing Cov, Wash.
Junior Men 10-12
OWEN, Logan; Redline Bremerton, Wash.
U23 Women
BEARD, Clara Diet Cheerwine Banner Elk, NC
Junior Women 17-18
FILIBERTI, Arielle; Team Bike Alley/NERT/Phillips Academy Andover Worcester, Mass.
Junior Women 15-16
SCHNEIDER, Samantha; Endeavour West Allis Wisc.
Junior Women 13-14
ANTONNEAU, Kaitlin; Nova IsCorp Racine, Wisc.
Junior Women 10-12
WHITE, Elizabeth; NEBC Bedford, NH
Collegiate Men
BOOKWALTER, Brent; Lees-McRae College Banner Elk NC
Collegiate Women
METZGER, Melodie; Univ. of California - Berkeley Berkeley, Calif.
Master Men 30-34
ROBINSON, Justin; California Giant Strawberries/Specialized Watsonville, Calif.
Master Women 35-39
STOVER, Marianne; Independent Fabrication Thetford, Vt.
Results for Day 2 of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships are available online at http://www.cyclocrossnationals.com/results_05.htm Read more!
"On the first lap I tried to start pretty hard so that I could stay out of trouble," Wells said. "I actually followed Brent around for two laps to learn the course because I only got to ride one lap and after Brent fell I kind of went to the front and tried to stay consistent and keep my gap at a consistent rate."
Less than two hours later, Troy's older brother, Todd, earned his second national cyclo-cross title on the same course, which had gone from slushy to icy as the sun went down. Although the Wells brothers had already discussed the possibility of both earning a national title, the truth was that racers with names like Anthony, Bookwalter, Page, Johnson, Craig, and Trebon stood in the way of reality.
"Right away myself and Trebon got off and then I crashed running up the stairs and broke my handlebars," said the older Wells. "I had to ride about a lap with broken handlebars and once I got a new bike, Trebon slipped up in once section and I passed him. In the final few laps you're just praying for the lap counter to go down. I was digging deep and I saw Trebon--he must have figured out some of the lines on the course because he had more power on the pavement sections but he wasn't riding the technical stuff as well."
Defending national champion Jonathan Page arrived at the race after a trip to the hospital the day before. A stomach illness of sorts bore down on Page with abandon and early this morning the question as to whether he would line up to race was raised. Wearing the Liberty Mutual kit, Page rode a strong, steady race to finish in an impressive third place, despite a bout with illness the day before.
Top six elite men are as follows:
1 Todd Wells (GT/Hyundai) Durango, Colo.
2 Ryan Trebon (Kona) Corvallis, Ore.
3 Johnathan Page (Liberty Mutual) Bedford, N.H.
4 Adam Craig (Giant/Pearl Izumi) Corinth, Maine
5 Tim Johnson (cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) Middleton, Mass.
6 Barry Wicks (Kona) Corvallis, Ore.
Mo Bruno
Master women 30-34 winner Maureen Bruno-Roy
photo: Chris Milliman
chrismilliman.com
After a frustrating incident in last year's master women 30-34 race, which kept Maureen Bruno-Roy from winning, Bruno-Roy claimed her first national cyclo-cross title in the 30-34 category. Citing consistency and power as key improvements over last year, Bruno- Roy seemed to have the race sewn up from the start and rode the race as a preview to tomorrow's elite women's race.
"Tomorrow's race is a bit of a crapshoot where no one really knows who is going to win," explained Bruno-Roy. "We don't really have a defined champion--we don't have somebody who is so far ahead. So many riders tomorrow could take it depending on the conditions and things like that so it's really exciting to be able to contest that race tomorrow."
Other category winners in Day 2 of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships include:
Junior Men 17-18
SUMMERHILL, Danny; TIAA-CREF/CLIF BAR Centennial, Colo.
Junior Men 15-16
COELHO, Alex; Loveland, Colo.
Junior Men 13-14
SWEDBERG, Benny; Rad Racing Cov, Wash.
Junior Men 10-12
OWEN, Logan; Redline Bremerton, Wash.
U23 Women
BEARD, Clara Diet Cheerwine Banner Elk, NC
Junior Women 17-18
FILIBERTI, Arielle; Team Bike Alley/NERT/Phillips Academy Andover Worcester, Mass.
Junior Women 15-16
SCHNEIDER, Samantha; Endeavour West Allis Wisc.
Junior Women 13-14
ANTONNEAU, Kaitlin; Nova IsCorp Racine, Wisc.
Junior Women 10-12
WHITE, Elizabeth; NEBC Bedford, NH
Collegiate Men
BOOKWALTER, Brent; Lees-McRae College Banner Elk NC
Collegiate Women
METZGER, Melodie; Univ. of California - Berkeley Berkeley, Calif.
Master Men 30-34
ROBINSON, Justin; California Giant Strawberries/Specialized Watsonville, Calif.
Master Women 35-39
STOVER, Marianne; Independent Fabrication Thetford, Vt.
Results for Day 2 of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships are available online at http://www.cyclocrossnationals.com/results_05.htm Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Sunday, December 11, 2005
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Cyclocross Nationals Pictures!
Check out the Gallery for pictures from Saturday's action!
Read more!
Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Saturday, December 10, 2005
Weather hampers first day of cyclo-cross nationals
By Susan Bickelhaupt, Globe Staff :: Snowy, windy, and cold weather is usually considered ideal for cyclo-cross racers, whose season ends this weekend with the national championships.But it became too much by yesterday afternoon. So after holding several races starting at 9 a.m., the organizers of the US National Cyclo-cross Championships at Roger Williams Park in Providence threw in the towel. The postponed races -- collegiate and men's 30-34 -- will take place this morning; several other races are scheduled for today, including juniors and under-23 events. The day culminates with the elite men's race. The elite women ride tomorrow.
''It was just snow in the morning, then all of a sudden the weather changed to a mixture of rain and sleet and these gusts of wind," said Richard Fries, the race announcer and communications director. ''The tents were blowing around, and the fencing was falling down, and we thought, 'This is dangerous to everybody.' "
New England has a posse of riders favored today -- no surprise, since this weather comes more naturally to them than racers from Colorado or California, even though yesterday was particularly harsh.
Jonathan Page of Tilton, N.H., is the three-time defending national champion. Tim Johnson of Middleton won the Verge New England Cyclocross Championship Series this season and finished second in the Crank Brothers Gran Prix Cyclo-cross Series. Mark McCormack of Foxborough won the nationals in 1997. These men are all elite racers. Jesse Anthony of Beverly is a six-time junior and under-23 national champion. Maureen Bruno Roy of Topsfield also took the Verge series.
''I love to ride in the snow, I think it's pretty cool," said Johnson.
But yesterday was ''exceptionally bad," he said from Providence. ''It started out just normal snow and it got worse and worse; then there was hail and sleet . . . it was just chaos."
It had taken Johnson's mother more than three hours to drive to Logan Airport to pick up his wife, Lyne Bessette, who rode a World Cup race in Italy, finishing 11th. Bessette, who won the Gran Prix Series, won't be riding in today's national since she is Canadian, but she will participate in the Liberty Cup race tomorrow for all past and present national champs.
The sport of cyclo-cross sends bike riders on a fast, often sloppy circuit that is generally off-road and includes obstacles like short hurdles that riders can either try bunny-hopping over or dismounting their bikes and running past.
Fans often have cowbells to clang and cheer on the racers.
The riders wear everything from hats to gloves to leggings -- ''everything you have in your bag of tricks," said Johnson.
Also favored are Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks, both from Oregon. Wicks won the Gran Prix Series just ahead of Johnson.
''We all have to be able to take whatever conditions are thrown at us," Johnson said. ''So I think we're all equal going in."
Johnson, who only returned to cyclo-cross this season after taking three years off to focus on road racing, said he's glad he came to the fall/winter sport. In addition to his win in the New England series, his wife won the Gran Prix and she had won 14 straight cyclo-cross races.
''I think this weekend is the end of a very good season," he said.
Of the races run yesterday, seven national champions were crowned: Shannon Skerritt, men's 35-39; Dale Knapp, men's 40-44; Steve Tilford, men's 45-49; Audrey Huffman, women's 40-44; Patti Kaufmann, women's 45-49; Tove Shere, women's 50-54; and Betty Jordan, women's 55-59. Read more!
''It was just snow in the morning, then all of a sudden the weather changed to a mixture of rain and sleet and these gusts of wind," said Richard Fries, the race announcer and communications director. ''The tents were blowing around, and the fencing was falling down, and we thought, 'This is dangerous to everybody.' "
New England has a posse of riders favored today -- no surprise, since this weather comes more naturally to them than racers from Colorado or California, even though yesterday was particularly harsh.
Jonathan Page of Tilton, N.H., is the three-time defending national champion. Tim Johnson of Middleton won the Verge New England Cyclocross Championship Series this season and finished second in the Crank Brothers Gran Prix Cyclo-cross Series. Mark McCormack of Foxborough won the nationals in 1997. These men are all elite racers. Jesse Anthony of Beverly is a six-time junior and under-23 national champion. Maureen Bruno Roy of Topsfield also took the Verge series.
''I love to ride in the snow, I think it's pretty cool," said Johnson.
But yesterday was ''exceptionally bad," he said from Providence. ''It started out just normal snow and it got worse and worse; then there was hail and sleet . . . it was just chaos."
It had taken Johnson's mother more than three hours to drive to Logan Airport to pick up his wife, Lyne Bessette, who rode a World Cup race in Italy, finishing 11th. Bessette, who won the Gran Prix Series, won't be riding in today's national since she is Canadian, but she will participate in the Liberty Cup race tomorrow for all past and present national champs.
The sport of cyclo-cross sends bike riders on a fast, often sloppy circuit that is generally off-road and includes obstacles like short hurdles that riders can either try bunny-hopping over or dismounting their bikes and running past.
Fans often have cowbells to clang and cheer on the racers.
The riders wear everything from hats to gloves to leggings -- ''everything you have in your bag of tricks," said Johnson.
Also favored are Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks, both from Oregon. Wicks won the Gran Prix Series just ahead of Johnson.
''We all have to be able to take whatever conditions are thrown at us," Johnson said. ''So I think we're all equal going in."
Johnson, who only returned to cyclo-cross this season after taking three years off to focus on road racing, said he's glad he came to the fall/winter sport. In addition to his win in the New England series, his wife won the Gran Prix and she had won 14 straight cyclo-cross races.
''I think this weekend is the end of a very good season," he said.
Of the races run yesterday, seven national champions were crowned: Shannon Skerritt, men's 35-39; Dale Knapp, men's 40-44; Steve Tilford, men's 45-49; Audrey Huffman, women's 40-44; Patti Kaufmann, women's 45-49; Tove Shere, women's 50-54; and Betty Jordan, women's 55-59. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Saturday, December 10, 2005
Friday, December 09, 2005
Snow, Sleet, Driving Rain and Near Gale Winds Usher in Day One of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships Huffman goes down but ge
PROVIDENCE, RI (December 9, 2005) Racers at the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships kicked off three days of spirited competition this morning under a steady snowfall. Snow turned to sleet then turned to freezing rain then back into snow during the master women's 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 race yet despite the increasing slickness six new champions earned their stars and stripes today.
"I raced in Chicago last week and it was snowing just like this but we didn't have the base layer of the icy conditions, we just had grass—dry and then snow on top so it was different conditions," said Patti Kaufman, winner of the master women 45-49 category. "I had a lot of difficulties with the terrain, it was tough, there were a lot of ups and downs. You knew you were going to go down and you just accepted it."
Audrey Huffman struggled to stay upright due to worsening course conditions and succeeded in sustaining a significant lead until a fall in the final few laps delayed her by ten seconds. No matter since Huffman got back up to finish first in the 40-44 category and collect her championship jersey.
Racing in his third national cyclo-cross championship category (first elite, then pro, now masters 45-49) Steve Tilford claimed his sixth title and will move to the front of the line for Sunday's Liberty Cup race.
Dale Knapp
Master men 40-44 winner Dale Knapp
photo: Chris Milliman
chrismilliman.com
"This is only the second year I rode masters," said Tilford. "I mainly rode today because there was a chance I could line up on the front row for Sunday's Liberty Cup race. I don't like starting 40 or 50 guys back so if I can race on Friday and line up on the front row on Sunday, I was like "hey, that seems like a good trade off."
Other category winners in today's races include Dale Knapp, master men 40-44; Tove Shere, master women 50-54; and Betty Jordan, master women 55+.
Mother Nature showed 'cross fans and racers a bit of wrath this afternoon when blizzard conditions and wind gusts proved too mighty to continue competition. Today's final two races: the master men 30-34 and collegiate men, race have been postponed until Saturday. Racing starts at 9 a.m. with the collegiate men; master men 30-34 will race at 11:30 with the remaining categories in the order that appears on the website.
Results for Day 1 of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships are available online at http://www.cyclocrossnationals.com/results_05.htm
About Liberty Mutual:
Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a leading global insurer and sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2004 direct written premium. As of Dec. 31, 2004, LMG had $72.4 billion in consolidated assets and $19.6 billion in annual consolidated revenue. The Company ranks 111th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States based on 2004 revenue.
Liberty Mutual Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, assumed reinsurance, fire and surety.
Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutual.com) employs more than 38,000 people in nearly 900 offices throughout the world.
About Roger Williams Park:
Known as the 'Jewel of Providence,' the award-winning Roger Williams Park attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. Cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier urban parks, Roger Williams Park was designed by Horace Cleveland. Roger Williams Park is located just south of downtown Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.
About USA Cycling:
USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the USOC and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions. USA Cycling, doing business as the USCF, NORBA, and USPRO, controls nearly two dozen major events each year and issues permits for up to 3,000 more.
About the New England Cyclo-cross Association:
The New England Cyclo-cross Association is the committee formed specifically to promote the 2005 and 2006 Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships. Headquartered in Arlington, Mass., the core members of this committee have experience promoting four national championships and dozens of national caliber events. Read more!
"I raced in Chicago last week and it was snowing just like this but we didn't have the base layer of the icy conditions, we just had grass—dry and then snow on top so it was different conditions," said Patti Kaufman, winner of the master women 45-49 category. "I had a lot of difficulties with the terrain, it was tough, there were a lot of ups and downs. You knew you were going to go down and you just accepted it."
Audrey Huffman struggled to stay upright due to worsening course conditions and succeeded in sustaining a significant lead until a fall in the final few laps delayed her by ten seconds. No matter since Huffman got back up to finish first in the 40-44 category and collect her championship jersey.
Racing in his third national cyclo-cross championship category (first elite, then pro, now masters 45-49) Steve Tilford claimed his sixth title and will move to the front of the line for Sunday's Liberty Cup race.
Dale Knapp
Master men 40-44 winner Dale Knapp
photo: Chris Milliman
chrismilliman.com
"This is only the second year I rode masters," said Tilford. "I mainly rode today because there was a chance I could line up on the front row for Sunday's Liberty Cup race. I don't like starting 40 or 50 guys back so if I can race on Friday and line up on the front row on Sunday, I was like "hey, that seems like a good trade off."
Other category winners in today's races include Dale Knapp, master men 40-44; Tove Shere, master women 50-54; and Betty Jordan, master women 55+.
Mother Nature showed 'cross fans and racers a bit of wrath this afternoon when blizzard conditions and wind gusts proved too mighty to continue competition. Today's final two races: the master men 30-34 and collegiate men, race have been postponed until Saturday. Racing starts at 9 a.m. with the collegiate men; master men 30-34 will race at 11:30 with the remaining categories in the order that appears on the website.
Results for Day 1 of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships are available online at http://www.cyclocrossnationals.com/results_05.htm
About Liberty Mutual:
Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a leading global insurer and sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2004 direct written premium. As of Dec. 31, 2004, LMG had $72.4 billion in consolidated assets and $19.6 billion in annual consolidated revenue. The Company ranks 111th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States based on 2004 revenue.
Liberty Mutual Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, assumed reinsurance, fire and surety.
Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutual.com) employs more than 38,000 people in nearly 900 offices throughout the world.
About Roger Williams Park:
Known as the 'Jewel of Providence,' the award-winning Roger Williams Park attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. Cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier urban parks, Roger Williams Park was designed by Horace Cleveland. Roger Williams Park is located just south of downtown Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.
About USA Cycling:
USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the USOC and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions. USA Cycling, doing business as the USCF, NORBA, and USPRO, controls nearly two dozen major events each year and issues permits for up to 3,000 more.
About the New England Cyclo-cross Association:
The New England Cyclo-cross Association is the committee formed specifically to promote the 2005 and 2006 Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships. Headquartered in Arlington, Mass., the core members of this committee have experience promoting four national championships and dozens of national caliber events. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Friday, December 09, 2005
'Cross nats preview: Fire on ice in Rhode Island
By: Neal Rogers, Velonews Associate Editor :: Break out the cowbells, wool socks and long underwear, the second weekend of December has arrived, meaning the most important cyclo-cross race of the North American calendar is about to take place. Held in the natural amphitheater of the Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island, the 2005 Liberty Mutual U.S. national cyclo-cross championships is expected to host some of the most tightly contested battles for the stars-and-stripes jerseys in recent memory.
After three years of consistent thick mud in the Pacific Northwest, ‘cross nationals returns to the icy conditions of New England. (For DVDs from last year's event in Portland, see race photographer Paul Weiss's Web site, www.paulweiss.bz/) The last time a national cyclo-cross championship was held in New England was 1998, when local favorite Frank McCormack took his second national title. Awarded the national championships this year and next, race promoters are touting this course as one of the best ‘cross nationals courses ever.
"We had an extensive search for a venue that lasted over a year," said Tom Stevens, race director. "After looking at seven venues, we picked Providence. We feel this park will provide perhaps the best course for both riders and spectators."
The event will be held in Providence in both 2005 and 2006. "Racers and spectators will be impressed with this venue," said Richard Fries, communications director and race announcer. "I have announced at eight of the last 10 ‘cross nationals. This venue outdoes them all with its natural stadium landscape. Most of the crowd can follow most of the racing from a single vantage point."
Nearly 1800 competitors are expected to attend. The highest registration, ironically, is for a non-championship event known as the "B" race. Promoters have altered Sunday's schedule to allow them to split the B field into older and younger categories, with the break point at age 35. The split proved nearly even.
Liberty Mutual Group, a leading global insurance provider with headquarters in New England, is be the title sponsor for the event. Liberty Mutual, which shares the same parent company as the Spanish ProTour team sponsor Liberty Seguros, will also sponsor three-time national champion Jonathan Page for the national championship.
"We want to support cycling and are expanding our sponsorship, which now includes three teams, one national championship and a U.S. national champion," said Fabio Selvig, director of team sponsorships for Liberty Seguros. "I don't know if any other U.S. company is making this kind of push in cycling."
Racing begins Friday morning with the masters categories and concludes with collegiate men. Unlike years past, the juniors, under-23 men and elite men race Saturday, with elite women concluding the racing Sunday.
"Some people don't understand the decision to have the elite men race on Saturday," said Fries. "First of all, the elite men were tired of racing on a chewed-up course. And secondly, I know enough to know that you don't go against the New England Patriots if you want to draw spectators. You've got to respect what you are going against."
The race bible (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) describes the course as follows: "The course is fairly wide open and on the longer side to accommodate large fields and to prevent too many riders from being lapped. There is ample space for re-setting sections of the track that might get torn up too much, so the following days/races may have fresh tracks. The ground is mostly hard with very good drainage. It would have to be exceptional conditions to slow the racing down appreciably (heavy snow for instance). There will be four obstacles: one long run with wood and earth stairs at the bottom, one 5-meter set of stone and cement stairs, one set of hurdles on flat ground, and one 10- to 12-second run that may have earth and wood stairs mid-hillside if the conditions are dry. The course is 3.2km long, of which about 1km is paved in four sections. There is also about 200 meters of gravel road. The rest is grassy parkland."
Exceptional conditions appear to be on the way. A storm expected Friday could bring four to eight inches of snow, making things interesting not just for Friday's racers but also for the rest of the weekend. Saturday's forecast is for sunshine but temperatures in the 30s, with a chance of snow again Sunday.
"The forecast is looking good, substantial snow on Friday, up to a foot is likely," writes 2001 national elite ‘cross champ Todd Wells (GT-Hyundai) on his Web site (www.toddwells.net). "It looks like it will barely get above freezing this weekend, so the white stuff should stick around and stay slippery and not turn to a mud bog. I hope we're racing on an ice-skating rink this weekend."
Wells has been going for quality, not quantity
photo: AbbiOrca.com
Elite men: Can anyone turn the Page?
Wells took a break from racing following the conclusion of the cross-country season and comes into the weekend riding a high after wins at the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross finale in San Francisco on November 20 and last weekend at the W.E. Stedman Grand Prix in Wakefield, Rhode Island.
But Wells is anything from cocky. "There have been years Gully [Marc Gullickson] and I won every race between us, and Page worked us over at nationals," he said. "So I have taken a different approach this year, with fewer races."
Wells conceded that European-based three-time and defending champion Page (Cervelo) comes into this weekend as the favorite, followed by last year's runner-up Ryan Trebon (Kona). And that's okay with him.
"The last time I won I wasn't even considered the favorite," Wells said. "So that's cool with me. There are a lot of good guys coming. I think Page has to be the favorite, but there are also guys like Barry Wicks, Tim Johnson and Adam Craig that will be in there."
Indeed, there are seven riders that have a realistic shot at the title: Page, Trebon, Wells (GT-Hyundai), Wicks (Kona), 2000 national champ Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau), 1997 national champ Mark McCormack (Clif Bar) and former national junior and under-23 ‘cross champion Adam Craig (Giant).
"In the elite men's field, I'd have to say Page is even money," said Fries. "At the next level I'd say you have Trebon, Johnson and Wells, with two-to-one odds. Trebon has shown he's consistently stronger than Johnson and Wells, but you have to count them in because there's snow on the ground and they are fantastic bike handlers. In the next category would be McCormack, Wicks and Craig, who probably have four-to-one odds but could pull off something amazing."
Fries added that unlike years past, when Page was able to use his superior strength and bike-handling skills to power away from the field in three consecutive years of thick mud, the Providence course is more likely to be slick and fast. "I think this could be the best year ever for ‘cross nationals," he said. "I don't think Page is a shoe-in by any means. He's going to have to race well and have no mistakes, whether they be mechanical or otherwise."
Johnson is renowned for his toughness in bad weather
photo: Chris Milliman
After three years away from the sport, Johnson has enjoyed a rebirth of sorts this year, winning the Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series ahead of McCormack and finishing the USGP series second, behind Wicks, with a win in Gloucester in blizzard conditions and again in Sterling, Massachusetts, in the snow. His 2000 elite national title came on the ice in Kansas City in conditions similar to those expected Saturday.
As for Trebon, who won two of four USGP events before heading to Europe, he's also calling Page the favorite.
"Jonathan seems to be running better than ever this year," Trebon said. "I've raced with him twice this year and he finished ahead of me both times, but it's so different over here than over there. In Europe we're racing with so many other people, we're not racing against each other, so it's hard to gauge."
Trebon added that while Page may be the favorite, he's taken something away from each time they've toed a start line together. "I'd say I have a better idea up what I'm up against than I did last year," he said. "I feel stronger and more experienced than a year ago. It's much harder racing in Europe, and I've gained more confidence over there. The courses are harder and there's a lot of battling back and forth. I know I'm stronger and faster than last year, hopefully I can go out there and race."
And then, there are the Kona boys
photo: AbbiOrca.com
Trebon's teammate Wicks won the Watsonville USGP event with ease, and showed it was no fluke the following day by tearing off the front with Wells, finishing second. But Wicks surprised many with his showings in Rhode Island last weekend, finishing eighth on Saturday and fifth on Sunday. Not to worry, Wicks says.
"I was feeling good last weekend, even if I didn't look good," Wicks said. "I showed up to those races not really thinking about them. I didn't race the weekend before that. After the San Francisco races I went home and hung out while everyone was in Sterling [The Gearworks Bay State Cyclo-Cross event on November 26]. So last weekend was really just to open the legs. The fitness is there, I was just getting the legs going. They were horrible results, but not indicative of how I'll be going this weekend."
Six-time national and under-23 national champ Jesse Anthony didn't hide his hopes to see McCormack, his longtime coach and Clif Bar teammate, take victory, but admits he also sees Page, McCormack's Colavita Olive Oil road teammate, as the favorite.
"I'd have to pick Page to repeat," said Anthony, also a New Englander. "I'd love to see Mark McCormack or Tim Johnson win, as they are both good friends of mine. Mark has been doing well for so many years but he hasn't won nationals for a while. But I think smart money would be on Page. He's done it the last three years. You can never really tell from his European results how he's going, but this year he's had better results than before. I wouldn't underestimate Trebon, either. Last year he gave a huge effort, and I think this year he'll make even more of a challenge. Ryan is good when it's a fast course. And of course Wells is going super fast right now, too. I wouldn't discount him."
After a trial-by-fire introduction to cyclo-cross racing, ProTour rider Chris Horner (Saunier Duval) will come to nationals in hopes of improving on his top-15 finishes at the Watsonville and San Francisco USGP events. While a top-10 finish is possible, don't expect Horner to factor into the top five - his handling skills simply aren't on a par with more experienced ‘cross racers, particularly in icy conditions.
Here's a look back at the USGP series overall results:
2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Series points totals
Elite men
1. Barry Wicks, Kona, 190pts
2. Tim Johnson, Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau, 174
3. Mark McCormack, Clif Bar, 170
4. Ryan Trebon, Kona, 140
5. Adam Craig, Giant, 137
6. Erik Tonkin, Kona, 106
7. Carl Decker, Giant, 104
8. Todd Wells, GT-Hyundai, 90
9. Shannon Skerritt, Vanilla Bicycles, 75
10. Matt Shriver, Kona-Easton, 65
And now, without further ado, theVeloNews prediction of finishing order at the 2005 elite men's national cyclo-cross championship: 1. Page; 2. Trebon; 3. Wells; 4. Johnson; 5. Wicks.
Elite women: Straight outa Compton?
As the sighted pilot of a Paralympic tandem team, last year's surprise winner Katie Compton (Redline) has not competed in a single UCI-sanctioned event all season. (Paralympic rules bar riders carrying UCI points, dating three years back, from competing in Paralympic events.) Last year Compton quietly raced American Cycling Association events in Colorado - with the Cat. 3 men - before arriving in Portland for the national championship, where she started at the back of the field and upset women who had vied for the top podium steps all season long.
Compton will start at the front this year - and this time, everyone will be watching her
"It's the Colorado Springs way to do it, just like Alison Dunlap used to," Fries said. "I think what Katie is doing with the Paralympics is great, and I have nothing but good things to say about that, but it would be fun to see her race more often. She surprised everybody last year. I think the field was shocked. I think they will respond a little more quickly than they did last year."
Missing from the start will be perennial race favorites Gina Hall, who is retired, and Olympic mountain-biker Mary McConneloug, who sat out the ‘cross season this year. The top American women in the USGP series, 2002 national champion Ann Knapp (Kona) and Barb Howe (Velo Bella) are likely to pose the biggest challenges to Compton. "I think everybody wants to see Ann Knapp win, since this may be her last year of racing, and I think she can," Fries said. "But Compton is really powerful."
Colorado-based race announcer Dave Towle has watched Compton race against the men's Cat. 3 field this season. "I think it's a real shame Katie never got to race against Lyne Bessette this year," Towle said. "I asked her, strictly hypothetically, would she go against Bessette in a one-lap drag race, and she said absolutely, she would love to. I for one am bummed she doesn't have a chance to go up against her."
Here's a look at the elite women's USGP series standings. Remember, the top two women, Lyne Bessette and Wendy Simms, are Canadians. Howe finished just three points ahead of Knapp to take the top American spot.
2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Series points totals
Elite women
1. Lyne Bessette (Can), Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau, 250pts
2. Wendy Simms (Can), Kona, 192
3. Barbara Howe, Velo Bella, 170
4. Ann Knapp, Kona, 167
5. Melissa Thomas, Tokyo Joes, 134
6. Georgia Gould, Kona, 129
7. Rhonda Mazza, S&M-Vanilla Bicycles, 119
8. Christine Vardaros, Velo Bella, 94
9. Stacey Spencer, Cycle Smart, 74
10. Melodie Metzger, Velo Bella, 68
Our favorites? Hey, we hate to say we told you so, but check out our call on this race last year. Race organizers have posted on the nationals Web site that the defending national champion will be called to the start line first, so Compton won't have to worry about fighting her way through the field this year. If her fitness is anywhere close to where it was last year, the race will be for second place.
U23: Can Anthony keep the streak alive?
One of two men will take the under-23 title on Saturday - Jesse Anthony or Troy Wells (TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar). Dating back to 1999, Anthony has never lost a national championship, and he once again won the U23 USGP and Verge New England series titles. But he was beaten twice this year in U23 racing by Wells, who finished third in the elite men's race in the blizzard in Gloucester.
"Jesse is faster, and can generate more watts," said Wells's older brother Todd. "But when it comes to handling, when skills are involved, [Troy] shines. He's stepped it up this year. He's more serious, more focused."
Fries thinks the conditions might lean in favor of Wells, and questioned whether Anthony would be racing at 100 percent after hitting the deck during the Castor's Grand Prix in Warwick, Rhode Island, on December 4. Anthony did not finish the race, but had the series title already wrapped up.
"Troy Wells is a mudder," Fries said. "That third place in Gloucester in the snow says it all. He does well in cold, sloppy conditions. It's going to come down to the weather. The course is going to change hour to hour."
As for Anthony, he said that while he did require a trip to a physical therapist to address some soreness in his upper back and between his shoulder blades after his crash, he is not injured.
"Troy is the only U23 rider who has been ahead of me at times this year," Anthony said. "I would agree that Troy may be a better technical rider, but I have been able to compete with him on treacherous courses in the past. I beat him at both muddy national championships in Portland, 2004 and 2003. I'm pretty confident in my skills. I've had a really good season, and I'm feeling real strong. I'm just going to go race and do what I know how to do."
2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Series points totals
U-23 men
1. Jesse Anthony, Clif Bar, 240pts
2. Troy Wells, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 220
3. Mitchell Peterson, Balance Bar-Devo, 118
4. Brady Kappius, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 116
5. Daniel Neyens, Rad Racing Northwest, 115
VN pick: Too close to call, but a nod to Anthony for nationals experience. They don't call him "Mr. December" for nothing. The collegiate title, contested Friday, is likely to go to either Troy Wells or defending champion Matt Shriver, both of Durango's Fort Lewis College. "Those guys can do some damage," said Todd Wells. "I don't know who is going to be able to stay with them, and if anyone does, I don't know how they would be able to get away."
Juniors: Selander or Summerhill?
As with the U-23 race, the juniors race is likely to come down to two riders: defending junior national champion Bjørn Selander (Alan Factory Team) and USGP series overall winner Danny Summerhill (TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar). The pair traded wins all season long, with Summerhill taking the series lead after race 5 and securing it in the series finale. Summerhill will clearly have the team numbers advantage Saturday, but Selander appears to be the stronger rider.
2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Series points totals
Junior men
1. Danny Summerhill, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 220pts
2. Bjørn Selander, Alan Factory Team, 214
3. Alex Howes, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 178
4. Chance Noble, Scary Fast , 170
5. Tejay Van Garderen, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 120
Our pick? Too close to call, but we give a slight edge to Selander, as he's won a national title before.
Odds and ends
* Sunday will also feature the Liberty Cup, a non-championship invitational event billed as a showcase for all national champions, past and present.
Any national champion over the age of 15 is invited to race with no entry fee. Wear the national championship jersey and you start in the front row.
"We're going to have some fun with it," said Lyle Fulkerson, operations director. "The masters and the juniors will get a front spot in front of a big crowd. We are hoping the Canadian national champions attend, too."
"I look forward to seeing how well the younger riders stack up against the elites," said Fries. "Jesse Anthony, Jeremy Powers, and Bjørn Selander will make strong impressions. I also want to watch 16-year-old Alex Coelho, perhaps the best young 'cross racer alive, race the elites."
Last weekend Coelho impressed spectators at the American Cycling Association's Colorado state championship by riding at the front of the elite men's race, won by national cross-country champion Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (since JHK doesn't hold an ACA license, the title went to Jon Baker of Primus Mootry). Coelho (Excel Sports) will race nationals in the juniors 15-16 category and is expected to take an easy victory.
* Who's gonna win? The racers themselves will be asked that question Friday evening during a media reception at 3 Steeple Street Bistro and Bar, 125 Canal St., Providence, just three blocks from the official race hotel, the Providence Biltmore. The first hour is for credentialed media and VIPs. At 9 p.m. the event will be open to all race volunteers and racers who present their bib numbers.
* And finally, here's the schedule for the weekend's action:
Friday, December 9, 2005
8 a.m.: Course open
9 a.m.: Master women 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 45 minutes
10 a.m.: Master men 45-49, 45 minutes
11 a.m.: Master men 40-44, 45 minutes
12 p.m.: Course open, awards ceremonies
1 p.m.: Master men 35-39, 45 minutes
2 p.m.: Master men 30-34, 45 minutes
3 p.m.: Collegiate men, 45 minutes
4 p.m.: Course closed, awards ceremonies
Saturday, December 10, 2005
7:30 a.m.: Course open
8:30 a.m.: Junior women 10-12, 13-14, 15-16, 30 minutes
9:15 a.m.: Junior men 10-12, 13-14, 15-16, 30 minutes
10 a.m.: Junior women 17-18, U23 women, collegiate women, 40 minutes
11 a.m.: Master women 30-34, 35-39, 40 minutes
12 p.m.: U23 men, 50 minutes
1 p.m.: Course open, awards ceremonies
2 p.m.: Junior men 17-18, 40 minutes
3 p.m.: Elite men, 60 minutes
4 p.m.: Course closed, awards ceremonies
Sunday, December 11, 2005
7:30 a.m.: Course open
8:30 a.m.: B women (non-championship event), 45 minutes
9:30 a.m.: B men Under 35 (non-championship event), 45 minutes
10:30 a.m.: B men 35+ (non-championship event), 45 minutes
11:30 a.m.: Master men 50-54, 55-59, 60+, 45 minutes
12:30 p.m.: Course open, awards ceremonies
1 p.m.: Pro/elite men Liberty Cup (non-championship event), 60 minutes
2 p.m.: Elite women, 40 minutes
3 p.m.: Course closed, awards ceremonies
Read more!
After three years of consistent thick mud in the Pacific Northwest, ‘cross nationals returns to the icy conditions of New England. (For DVDs from last year's event in Portland, see race photographer Paul Weiss's Web site, www.paulweiss.bz/) The last time a national cyclo-cross championship was held in New England was 1998, when local favorite Frank McCormack took his second national title. Awarded the national championships this year and next, race promoters are touting this course as one of the best ‘cross nationals courses ever.
"We had an extensive search for a venue that lasted over a year," said Tom Stevens, race director. "After looking at seven venues, we picked Providence. We feel this park will provide perhaps the best course for both riders and spectators."
The event will be held in Providence in both 2005 and 2006. "Racers and spectators will be impressed with this venue," said Richard Fries, communications director and race announcer. "I have announced at eight of the last 10 ‘cross nationals. This venue outdoes them all with its natural stadium landscape. Most of the crowd can follow most of the racing from a single vantage point."
Nearly 1800 competitors are expected to attend. The highest registration, ironically, is for a non-championship event known as the "B" race. Promoters have altered Sunday's schedule to allow them to split the B field into older and younger categories, with the break point at age 35. The split proved nearly even.
Liberty Mutual Group, a leading global insurance provider with headquarters in New England, is be the title sponsor for the event. Liberty Mutual, which shares the same parent company as the Spanish ProTour team sponsor Liberty Seguros, will also sponsor three-time national champion Jonathan Page for the national championship.
"We want to support cycling and are expanding our sponsorship, which now includes three teams, one national championship and a U.S. national champion," said Fabio Selvig, director of team sponsorships for Liberty Seguros. "I don't know if any other U.S. company is making this kind of push in cycling."
Racing begins Friday morning with the masters categories and concludes with collegiate men. Unlike years past, the juniors, under-23 men and elite men race Saturday, with elite women concluding the racing Sunday.
"Some people don't understand the decision to have the elite men race on Saturday," said Fries. "First of all, the elite men were tired of racing on a chewed-up course. And secondly, I know enough to know that you don't go against the New England Patriots if you want to draw spectators. You've got to respect what you are going against."
The race bible (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) describes the course as follows: "The course is fairly wide open and on the longer side to accommodate large fields and to prevent too many riders from being lapped. There is ample space for re-setting sections of the track that might get torn up too much, so the following days/races may have fresh tracks. The ground is mostly hard with very good drainage. It would have to be exceptional conditions to slow the racing down appreciably (heavy snow for instance). There will be four obstacles: one long run with wood and earth stairs at the bottom, one 5-meter set of stone and cement stairs, one set of hurdles on flat ground, and one 10- to 12-second run that may have earth and wood stairs mid-hillside if the conditions are dry. The course is 3.2km long, of which about 1km is paved in four sections. There is also about 200 meters of gravel road. The rest is grassy parkland."
Exceptional conditions appear to be on the way. A storm expected Friday could bring four to eight inches of snow, making things interesting not just for Friday's racers but also for the rest of the weekend. Saturday's forecast is for sunshine but temperatures in the 30s, with a chance of snow again Sunday.
"The forecast is looking good, substantial snow on Friday, up to a foot is likely," writes 2001 national elite ‘cross champ Todd Wells (GT-Hyundai) on his Web site (www.toddwells.net). "It looks like it will barely get above freezing this weekend, so the white stuff should stick around and stay slippery and not turn to a mud bog. I hope we're racing on an ice-skating rink this weekend."
Wells has been going for quality, not quantity
photo: AbbiOrca.com
Elite men: Can anyone turn the Page?
Wells took a break from racing following the conclusion of the cross-country season and comes into the weekend riding a high after wins at the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross finale in San Francisco on November 20 and last weekend at the W.E. Stedman Grand Prix in Wakefield, Rhode Island.
But Wells is anything from cocky. "There have been years Gully [Marc Gullickson] and I won every race between us, and Page worked us over at nationals," he said. "So I have taken a different approach this year, with fewer races."
Wells conceded that European-based three-time and defending champion Page (Cervelo) comes into this weekend as the favorite, followed by last year's runner-up Ryan Trebon (Kona). And that's okay with him.
"The last time I won I wasn't even considered the favorite," Wells said. "So that's cool with me. There are a lot of good guys coming. I think Page has to be the favorite, but there are also guys like Barry Wicks, Tim Johnson and Adam Craig that will be in there."
Indeed, there are seven riders that have a realistic shot at the title: Page, Trebon, Wells (GT-Hyundai), Wicks (Kona), 2000 national champ Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau), 1997 national champ Mark McCormack (Clif Bar) and former national junior and under-23 ‘cross champion Adam Craig (Giant).
"In the elite men's field, I'd have to say Page is even money," said Fries. "At the next level I'd say you have Trebon, Johnson and Wells, with two-to-one odds. Trebon has shown he's consistently stronger than Johnson and Wells, but you have to count them in because there's snow on the ground and they are fantastic bike handlers. In the next category would be McCormack, Wicks and Craig, who probably have four-to-one odds but could pull off something amazing."
Fries added that unlike years past, when Page was able to use his superior strength and bike-handling skills to power away from the field in three consecutive years of thick mud, the Providence course is more likely to be slick and fast. "I think this could be the best year ever for ‘cross nationals," he said. "I don't think Page is a shoe-in by any means. He's going to have to race well and have no mistakes, whether they be mechanical or otherwise."
Johnson is renowned for his toughness in bad weather
photo: Chris Milliman
After three years away from the sport, Johnson has enjoyed a rebirth of sorts this year, winning the Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series ahead of McCormack and finishing the USGP series second, behind Wicks, with a win in Gloucester in blizzard conditions and again in Sterling, Massachusetts, in the snow. His 2000 elite national title came on the ice in Kansas City in conditions similar to those expected Saturday.
As for Trebon, who won two of four USGP events before heading to Europe, he's also calling Page the favorite.
"Jonathan seems to be running better than ever this year," Trebon said. "I've raced with him twice this year and he finished ahead of me both times, but it's so different over here than over there. In Europe we're racing with so many other people, we're not racing against each other, so it's hard to gauge."
Trebon added that while Page may be the favorite, he's taken something away from each time they've toed a start line together. "I'd say I have a better idea up what I'm up against than I did last year," he said. "I feel stronger and more experienced than a year ago. It's much harder racing in Europe, and I've gained more confidence over there. The courses are harder and there's a lot of battling back and forth. I know I'm stronger and faster than last year, hopefully I can go out there and race."
And then, there are the Kona boys
photo: AbbiOrca.com
Trebon's teammate Wicks won the Watsonville USGP event with ease, and showed it was no fluke the following day by tearing off the front with Wells, finishing second. But Wicks surprised many with his showings in Rhode Island last weekend, finishing eighth on Saturday and fifth on Sunday. Not to worry, Wicks says.
"I was feeling good last weekend, even if I didn't look good," Wicks said. "I showed up to those races not really thinking about them. I didn't race the weekend before that. After the San Francisco races I went home and hung out while everyone was in Sterling [The Gearworks Bay State Cyclo-Cross event on November 26]. So last weekend was really just to open the legs. The fitness is there, I was just getting the legs going. They were horrible results, but not indicative of how I'll be going this weekend."
Six-time national and under-23 national champ Jesse Anthony didn't hide his hopes to see McCormack, his longtime coach and Clif Bar teammate, take victory, but admits he also sees Page, McCormack's Colavita Olive Oil road teammate, as the favorite.
"I'd have to pick Page to repeat," said Anthony, also a New Englander. "I'd love to see Mark McCormack or Tim Johnson win, as they are both good friends of mine. Mark has been doing well for so many years but he hasn't won nationals for a while. But I think smart money would be on Page. He's done it the last three years. You can never really tell from his European results how he's going, but this year he's had better results than before. I wouldn't underestimate Trebon, either. Last year he gave a huge effort, and I think this year he'll make even more of a challenge. Ryan is good when it's a fast course. And of course Wells is going super fast right now, too. I wouldn't discount him."
After a trial-by-fire introduction to cyclo-cross racing, ProTour rider Chris Horner (Saunier Duval) will come to nationals in hopes of improving on his top-15 finishes at the Watsonville and San Francisco USGP events. While a top-10 finish is possible, don't expect Horner to factor into the top five - his handling skills simply aren't on a par with more experienced ‘cross racers, particularly in icy conditions.
Here's a look back at the USGP series overall results:
2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Series points totals
Elite men
1. Barry Wicks, Kona, 190pts
2. Tim Johnson, Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau, 174
3. Mark McCormack, Clif Bar, 170
4. Ryan Trebon, Kona, 140
5. Adam Craig, Giant, 137
6. Erik Tonkin, Kona, 106
7. Carl Decker, Giant, 104
8. Todd Wells, GT-Hyundai, 90
9. Shannon Skerritt, Vanilla Bicycles, 75
10. Matt Shriver, Kona-Easton, 65
And now, without further ado, theVeloNews prediction of finishing order at the 2005 elite men's national cyclo-cross championship: 1. Page; 2. Trebon; 3. Wells; 4. Johnson; 5. Wicks.
Elite women: Straight outa Compton?
As the sighted pilot of a Paralympic tandem team, last year's surprise winner Katie Compton (Redline) has not competed in a single UCI-sanctioned event all season. (Paralympic rules bar riders carrying UCI points, dating three years back, from competing in Paralympic events.) Last year Compton quietly raced American Cycling Association events in Colorado - with the Cat. 3 men - before arriving in Portland for the national championship, where she started at the back of the field and upset women who had vied for the top podium steps all season long.
Compton will start at the front this year - and this time, everyone will be watching her
"It's the Colorado Springs way to do it, just like Alison Dunlap used to," Fries said. "I think what Katie is doing with the Paralympics is great, and I have nothing but good things to say about that, but it would be fun to see her race more often. She surprised everybody last year. I think the field was shocked. I think they will respond a little more quickly than they did last year."
Missing from the start will be perennial race favorites Gina Hall, who is retired, and Olympic mountain-biker Mary McConneloug, who sat out the ‘cross season this year. The top American women in the USGP series, 2002 national champion Ann Knapp (Kona) and Barb Howe (Velo Bella) are likely to pose the biggest challenges to Compton. "I think everybody wants to see Ann Knapp win, since this may be her last year of racing, and I think she can," Fries said. "But Compton is really powerful."
Colorado-based race announcer Dave Towle has watched Compton race against the men's Cat. 3 field this season. "I think it's a real shame Katie never got to race against Lyne Bessette this year," Towle said. "I asked her, strictly hypothetically, would she go against Bessette in a one-lap drag race, and she said absolutely, she would love to. I for one am bummed she doesn't have a chance to go up against her."
Here's a look at the elite women's USGP series standings. Remember, the top two women, Lyne Bessette and Wendy Simms, are Canadians. Howe finished just three points ahead of Knapp to take the top American spot.
2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Series points totals
Elite women
1. Lyne Bessette (Can), Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau, 250pts
2. Wendy Simms (Can), Kona, 192
3. Barbara Howe, Velo Bella, 170
4. Ann Knapp, Kona, 167
5. Melissa Thomas, Tokyo Joes, 134
6. Georgia Gould, Kona, 129
7. Rhonda Mazza, S&M-Vanilla Bicycles, 119
8. Christine Vardaros, Velo Bella, 94
9. Stacey Spencer, Cycle Smart, 74
10. Melodie Metzger, Velo Bella, 68
Our favorites? Hey, we hate to say we told you so, but check out our call on this race last year. Race organizers have posted on the nationals Web site that the defending national champion will be called to the start line first, so Compton won't have to worry about fighting her way through the field this year. If her fitness is anywhere close to where it was last year, the race will be for second place.
U23: Can Anthony keep the streak alive?
One of two men will take the under-23 title on Saturday - Jesse Anthony or Troy Wells (TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar). Dating back to 1999, Anthony has never lost a national championship, and he once again won the U23 USGP and Verge New England series titles. But he was beaten twice this year in U23 racing by Wells, who finished third in the elite men's race in the blizzard in Gloucester.
"Jesse is faster, and can generate more watts," said Wells's older brother Todd. "But when it comes to handling, when skills are involved, [Troy] shines. He's stepped it up this year. He's more serious, more focused."
Fries thinks the conditions might lean in favor of Wells, and questioned whether Anthony would be racing at 100 percent after hitting the deck during the Castor's Grand Prix in Warwick, Rhode Island, on December 4. Anthony did not finish the race, but had the series title already wrapped up.
"Troy Wells is a mudder," Fries said. "That third place in Gloucester in the snow says it all. He does well in cold, sloppy conditions. It's going to come down to the weather. The course is going to change hour to hour."
As for Anthony, he said that while he did require a trip to a physical therapist to address some soreness in his upper back and between his shoulder blades after his crash, he is not injured.
"Troy is the only U23 rider who has been ahead of me at times this year," Anthony said. "I would agree that Troy may be a better technical rider, but I have been able to compete with him on treacherous courses in the past. I beat him at both muddy national championships in Portland, 2004 and 2003. I'm pretty confident in my skills. I've had a really good season, and I'm feeling real strong. I'm just going to go race and do what I know how to do."
2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Series points totals
U-23 men
1. Jesse Anthony, Clif Bar, 240pts
2. Troy Wells, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 220
3. Mitchell Peterson, Balance Bar-Devo, 118
4. Brady Kappius, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 116
5. Daniel Neyens, Rad Racing Northwest, 115
VN pick: Too close to call, but a nod to Anthony for nationals experience. They don't call him "Mr. December" for nothing. The collegiate title, contested Friday, is likely to go to either Troy Wells or defending champion Matt Shriver, both of Durango's Fort Lewis College. "Those guys can do some damage," said Todd Wells. "I don't know who is going to be able to stay with them, and if anyone does, I don't know how they would be able to get away."
Juniors: Selander or Summerhill?
As with the U-23 race, the juniors race is likely to come down to two riders: defending junior national champion Bjørn Selander (Alan Factory Team) and USGP series overall winner Danny Summerhill (TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar). The pair traded wins all season long, with Summerhill taking the series lead after race 5 and securing it in the series finale. Summerhill will clearly have the team numbers advantage Saturday, but Selander appears to be the stronger rider.
2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross
Series points totals
Junior men
1. Danny Summerhill, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 220pts
2. Bjørn Selander, Alan Factory Team, 214
3. Alex Howes, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 178
4. Chance Noble, Scary Fast , 170
5. Tejay Van Garderen, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar, 120
Our pick? Too close to call, but we give a slight edge to Selander, as he's won a national title before.
Odds and ends
* Sunday will also feature the Liberty Cup, a non-championship invitational event billed as a showcase for all national champions, past and present.
Any national champion over the age of 15 is invited to race with no entry fee. Wear the national championship jersey and you start in the front row.
"We're going to have some fun with it," said Lyle Fulkerson, operations director. "The masters and the juniors will get a front spot in front of a big crowd. We are hoping the Canadian national champions attend, too."
"I look forward to seeing how well the younger riders stack up against the elites," said Fries. "Jesse Anthony, Jeremy Powers, and Bjørn Selander will make strong impressions. I also want to watch 16-year-old Alex Coelho, perhaps the best young 'cross racer alive, race the elites."
Last weekend Coelho impressed spectators at the American Cycling Association's Colorado state championship by riding at the front of the elite men's race, won by national cross-country champion Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (since JHK doesn't hold an ACA license, the title went to Jon Baker of Primus Mootry). Coelho (Excel Sports) will race nationals in the juniors 15-16 category and is expected to take an easy victory.
* Who's gonna win? The racers themselves will be asked that question Friday evening during a media reception at 3 Steeple Street Bistro and Bar, 125 Canal St., Providence, just three blocks from the official race hotel, the Providence Biltmore. The first hour is for credentialed media and VIPs. At 9 p.m. the event will be open to all race volunteers and racers who present their bib numbers.
* And finally, here's the schedule for the weekend's action:
Friday, December 9, 2005
8 a.m.: Course open
9 a.m.: Master women 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 45 minutes
10 a.m.: Master men 45-49, 45 minutes
11 a.m.: Master men 40-44, 45 minutes
12 p.m.: Course open, awards ceremonies
1 p.m.: Master men 35-39, 45 minutes
2 p.m.: Master men 30-34, 45 minutes
3 p.m.: Collegiate men, 45 minutes
4 p.m.: Course closed, awards ceremonies
Saturday, December 10, 2005
7:30 a.m.: Course open
8:30 a.m.: Junior women 10-12, 13-14, 15-16, 30 minutes
9:15 a.m.: Junior men 10-12, 13-14, 15-16, 30 minutes
10 a.m.: Junior women 17-18, U23 women, collegiate women, 40 minutes
11 a.m.: Master women 30-34, 35-39, 40 minutes
12 p.m.: U23 men, 50 minutes
1 p.m.: Course open, awards ceremonies
2 p.m.: Junior men 17-18, 40 minutes
3 p.m.: Elite men, 60 minutes
4 p.m.: Course closed, awards ceremonies
Sunday, December 11, 2005
7:30 a.m.: Course open
8:30 a.m.: B women (non-championship event), 45 minutes
9:30 a.m.: B men Under 35 (non-championship event), 45 minutes
10:30 a.m.: B men 35+ (non-championship event), 45 minutes
11:30 a.m.: Master men 50-54, 55-59, 60+, 45 minutes
12:30 p.m.: Course open, awards ceremonies
1 p.m.: Pro/elite men Liberty Cup (non-championship event), 60 minutes
2 p.m.: Elite women, 40 minutes
3 p.m.: Course closed, awards ceremonies
Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Friday, December 09, 2005
You know the weather is bad....
When cross nats is postponed due to weather! Let's just hope the snow stops by tomorrow.
-reporting to you live from the CU Cycling team mini van stuck in traffic on the way back to the hotel
Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Friday, December 09, 2005
Cross nats friday races postponed
Due to blizzard conditions the remainder of fridays races have been postponed until tomorrow...check www.cyclocrossnationals.com for new start times.
Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Friday, December 09, 2005
Thursday, December 08, 2005
"Live" race coverage returns to Cyclo-cross
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Dec. 8, 2005) - Starting Saturday, fans of cyclo-cross worldwide will be able to tune in to the "live" audio webcast of the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships.Live coverage from Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI will start at 2:30 p.m. EST with a pre race program featuring interviews, up-to-the-minute course and weather conditions, and pre race analysis of potential winners.
Gloucester 2005
"With the red-line success we had with Yountville in 2002, we decided to once again offer the audio from our main PA system to listeners from coast to coast and worldwide, FREE." said Glenn Stilwell, media production manager. "A full audio stream will bring you to the heart of the action throughout the elite men's race and will continue afterward to bring fans post-race coverage from the podium."
Fans, friends and even far-flung competitors should log onto the Cyclocrossnationals.com website on Saturday, Dec. 10 to track the action and see if Jonathan Page will prove that he's still the best or could it be Tim Johnson, whose skill at racing in the snow (4-7 inches by Friday night) will put him atop "the box?" If you can't be there in person, find out online who will represent the U.S. at the UCI World Championships in Zeddam, Netherlands in January.
Listen Here
Windows Media Player
How to listen: Go to www.cyclocrossnationals.com and press the "Listen Now" button.
System Requirements: Windows Media Player and an Internet connection.
How easy is that?
About Liberty Mutual:
Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a leading global insurer and sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2004 direct written premium. As of Dec. 31, 2004, LMG had $72.4 billion in consolidated assets and $19.6 billion in annual consolidated revenue. The Company ranks 111th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States based on 2004 revenue.
Liberty Mutual Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, assumed reinsurance, fire and surety.
Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutual.com) employs more than 38,000 people in nearly 900 offices throughout the world.
About Roger Williams Park:
Known as the 'Jewel of Providence,' the award-winning Roger Williams Park attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. Cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier urban parks, Roger Williams Park was designed by Horace Cleveland. Roger Williams Park is located just south of downtown Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.
About USA Cycling:
USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the USOC and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions. USA Cycling, doing business as the USCF, NORBA, and USPRO, controls nearly two dozen major events each year and issues permits for up to 3,000 more.
About the New England Cyclo-cross Association:
The New England Cyclo-cross Association is the committee formed specifically to promote the 2005 and 2006 Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships. Headquartered in Arlington, Mass., the core members of this committee have experience promoting four national championships and dozens of national caliber events. Read more!
Gloucester 2005
"With the red-line success we had with Yountville in 2002, we decided to once again offer the audio from our main PA system to listeners from coast to coast and worldwide, FREE." said Glenn Stilwell, media production manager. "A full audio stream will bring you to the heart of the action throughout the elite men's race and will continue afterward to bring fans post-race coverage from the podium."
Fans, friends and even far-flung competitors should log onto the Cyclocrossnationals.com website on Saturday, Dec. 10 to track the action and see if Jonathan Page will prove that he's still the best or could it be Tim Johnson, whose skill at racing in the snow (4-7 inches by Friday night) will put him atop "the box?" If you can't be there in person, find out online who will represent the U.S. at the UCI World Championships in Zeddam, Netherlands in January.
Listen Here
Windows Media Player
How to listen: Go to www.cyclocrossnationals.com and press the "Listen Now" button.
System Requirements: Windows Media Player and an Internet connection.
How easy is that?
About Liberty Mutual:
Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a leading global insurer and sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2004 direct written premium. As of Dec. 31, 2004, LMG had $72.4 billion in consolidated assets and $19.6 billion in annual consolidated revenue. The Company ranks 111th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States based on 2004 revenue.
Liberty Mutual Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, assumed reinsurance, fire and surety.
Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutual.com) employs more than 38,000 people in nearly 900 offices throughout the world.
About Roger Williams Park:
Known as the 'Jewel of Providence,' the award-winning Roger Williams Park attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. Cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier urban parks, Roger Williams Park was designed by Horace Cleveland. Roger Williams Park is located just south of downtown Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.
About USA Cycling:
USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the USOC and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions. USA Cycling, doing business as the USCF, NORBA, and USPRO, controls nearly two dozen major events each year and issues permits for up to 3,000 more.
About the New England Cyclo-cross Association:
The New England Cyclo-cross Association is the committee formed specifically to promote the 2005 and 2006 Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships. Headquartered in Arlington, Mass., the core members of this committee have experience promoting four national championships and dozens of national caliber events. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Thursday, December 08, 2005
Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix Announces 2006 Schedule
BY: PRESS RELEASE :: On the heels of a thrilling 2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series, that included record fields racing in sweltering Californian heat and a freezing East Coast blizzard, the schedule for the 2006 mixes up locations and dates, adding some variety to the Series in it s third year.“Coming off a highly successful second edition of the Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross, we are pleased to announce an exciting schedule for 2006.,” said Paul Salvucci, U.S. Gran Prix Director of Operations. “The combination of continued growth in the sport, highly motivated promoters, fantastic venues, and supportive sponsors will all blend to help bring the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross to a higher level."
The 2006 U.S. Gran prix will open on the legendary fields of Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Mass. October 7-8. A true New England cyclocross classic, the Gloucester weekend guarantees great courses and predictably unpredictable weather, all in one of the country’s true hot bed’s of ‘cross.
"We're excited to once again host two stops of the U.S. Gran Prix Series,” said Paul Boudreau, promoter of the Gloucester races. “Being a part of the series for the past two seasons has helped the Gloucester cross events meet and exceed its goals of bringing world-class racing to New England."
The Series will continue November 4-5 in the thin air of Boulder, Colo., the first time the U.S. Gran Prix has stopped off in the Rocky Mountains. Renowned for producing some of the best road and mountain bike racers in the country, Boulder has also maintained a hard-core ‘cross scene for as long as ‘cross has been raced in North America.
"We are very proud and excited to work with the premiere cyclocross series in North America,” said Chris Grealish, promoter of the Boulder races. “As one of the founding promoters of the original national cyclocross series, we are already working full time to ensure that our venues and athlete amenities set a new standard for big time cross racing in the USA. There has been an out pouring of support and offers of assistance from the city of Boulder parks and recreation department and boulder convention and visitors department of the chamber of commerce as well as many local racing clubs. Our team, Denver Boulder Couriers Cycling Club, has personally witnessed eight world cyclocross championships in Europe and looks forward to sharing some of the course layouts that have produced incredibly exciting events."
The Series will conclude in the Pacific Northwest, November 18-19 with two new race venues, Lacey, Wash. and Portland, Ore. The Washington race will be organized by RAD Racing’s Jim Brown, who has run the past two U.S. Gran Prix stops in Tacoma. As well, Portland will be put together by Brad Ross, the man responsible for the 2004 U.S. National Championships and the Stumptown Classic U.S. Gran Prix races.
"Portland loves being part of the Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross,” said Ross, promoter of the Portland race. “This has become a hotbed for the sport and now many of the top pros including Ryan Trebon, Barry Wicks, Adam Craig, and Rhonda Mazza live here. For the past two years we’ve been the kick off event of the U.S. Gran Prix and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to be the season finale now. In addition to great racing, we are pretty proud of our ability to throw a party and we promise to put on an awards ceremony that won’t soon be forgotten."
“As the discipline of cyclo-cross continues to thrive in the United States, the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross continues to provide a stage on which the best American riders can perform and raises the level of competition domestically,” said Justin Rogers, USA Cycling’s National Events Director. “A dedicated elite-level series also puts our riders on pace to eventually become a force globally.”
The Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series schedule for 2006:
October 7-8 Grand Prix of Gloucester, Gloucester, Massachusetts
November 4-5 Boulder, Colorado*
November 18 Lacey, Washington*
November 19 Portland, Oregon*
*New Venue for 2006
Along with Crank Brothers and presenting sponsor VeloNews, additional U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross sponsors include Clif Bar,Selle Italia, FOCUS Bikes, Cyclocrossworld.com, adidas, Mavic, and BikeReg.com
For complete U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross details, go to www.usgpcyclocross.com. Read more!
The 2006 U.S. Gran prix will open on the legendary fields of Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Mass. October 7-8. A true New England cyclocross classic, the Gloucester weekend guarantees great courses and predictably unpredictable weather, all in one of the country’s true hot bed’s of ‘cross.
"We're excited to once again host two stops of the U.S. Gran Prix Series,” said Paul Boudreau, promoter of the Gloucester races. “Being a part of the series for the past two seasons has helped the Gloucester cross events meet and exceed its goals of bringing world-class racing to New England."
The Series will continue November 4-5 in the thin air of Boulder, Colo., the first time the U.S. Gran Prix has stopped off in the Rocky Mountains. Renowned for producing some of the best road and mountain bike racers in the country, Boulder has also maintained a hard-core ‘cross scene for as long as ‘cross has been raced in North America.
"We are very proud and excited to work with the premiere cyclocross series in North America,” said Chris Grealish, promoter of the Boulder races. “As one of the founding promoters of the original national cyclocross series, we are already working full time to ensure that our venues and athlete amenities set a new standard for big time cross racing in the USA. There has been an out pouring of support and offers of assistance from the city of Boulder parks and recreation department and boulder convention and visitors department of the chamber of commerce as well as many local racing clubs. Our team, Denver Boulder Couriers Cycling Club, has personally witnessed eight world cyclocross championships in Europe and looks forward to sharing some of the course layouts that have produced incredibly exciting events."
The Series will conclude in the Pacific Northwest, November 18-19 with two new race venues, Lacey, Wash. and Portland, Ore. The Washington race will be organized by RAD Racing’s Jim Brown, who has run the past two U.S. Gran Prix stops in Tacoma. As well, Portland will be put together by Brad Ross, the man responsible for the 2004 U.S. National Championships and the Stumptown Classic U.S. Gran Prix races.
"Portland loves being part of the Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross,” said Ross, promoter of the Portland race. “This has become a hotbed for the sport and now many of the top pros including Ryan Trebon, Barry Wicks, Adam Craig, and Rhonda Mazza live here. For the past two years we’ve been the kick off event of the U.S. Gran Prix and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to be the season finale now. In addition to great racing, we are pretty proud of our ability to throw a party and we promise to put on an awards ceremony that won’t soon be forgotten."
“As the discipline of cyclo-cross continues to thrive in the United States, the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross continues to provide a stage on which the best American riders can perform and raises the level of competition domestically,” said Justin Rogers, USA Cycling’s National Events Director. “A dedicated elite-level series also puts our riders on pace to eventually become a force globally.”
The Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Series schedule for 2006:
October 7-8 Grand Prix of Gloucester, Gloucester, Massachusetts
November 4-5 Boulder, Colorado*
November 18 Lacey, Washington*
November 19 Portland, Oregon*
*New Venue for 2006
Along with Crank Brothers and presenting sponsor VeloNews, additional U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross sponsors include Clif Bar,Selle Italia, FOCUS Bikes, Cyclocrossworld.com, adidas, Mavic, and BikeReg.com
For complete U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross details, go to www.usgpcyclocross.com. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Thursday, December 08, 2005
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Clif Bar, Mavic, Cycle-Ops, and Polar Beverages Keeps 'Em Rollin in Turn One Athlete Village Created for Expected 1,700 Competitors at 'Cross Nats
By: PRESS RELEASE, PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Dec. 6, 2005) - With 1,700 athletes converging on Roger Williams Park for the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships, promoters needed to find companies capable of giving every athlete critical pre-race support.Clif Bar has been selected to create the warm-up area and cool-down zone available for every athlete and positioned close to the start-finish area. Mavic and its famous Tour de France 'Service Course' will be on hand to provide mechanical support. And Polar Beverages will operate the water station.
"These are the national championships. We appreciate that people travel thousands of miles and put in hundreds of hours to get a shot at that stars-and-stripes jersey. They all deserve a good shot and Clif Bar and Mavic is there to help them," said Lyle Fulkerson, operations director. "The big teams will be set up with their own trucks and tents and RVs. But Clif Bar, Mavic and Polar are right there to offer that same support to the nervous teen-ager racing their first nationals."
All of these athlete services will be arranged at Turn One, just beyond the finish line.
"Early this year when Richard Fries approached us with the news that he'd be helping to promote the 'Cross Nats in Providence, we knew it would only make sense for Clif Bar to come on board as a supporter of the event," said Dylan Seguin of the Team Clif Bar program. "TCB Cyclocross riders Mark McCormack and Jesse Anthony are definitely looking forward to racing in Providence as are all of the riders I've spoken with."
Promoters have also selected Mavic, the same French company that supports the Tour de France, to provide on-site mechanical support before, during, and after the event.
"No other company has such a sense of elan as Mavic," said Richard Fries, communications director. "When your bike is broken, those yellow trucks and cars and all those mechanics are your angels of mechanical mercy. We picked Mavic not just for their expertise, but also for their courteous manners. They treat a beginner like a pro."
"We're very excited to be part of the 2005 Cyclo-cross Nationals," said Sean Sullivan, Mavic communications manager. "From the huge rider turnout to the great venue it's shaping up to be one of the best nationals in recent memory. By the looks of the record number of people pre-registered, I think our neutral service guys in yellow will be quite busy."
Mavic will also set up and oversee the pit areas on the course, a mechanical madhouse found nowhere else in cycling.
"In cyclo-cross the pits are more important than any other cycling event. It's common to see riders to use two or three bikes in a race," said Tom Stevens, race director. A mechanical team must hand off a new bike to a racer and then clean, repair and lubricate the other machine to be ready in just half a lap. "They have to do all this in three minutes. We needed a good company to back us up. We picked Mavic."
Promoters also had key support from Polar Beverages. Based in Central Massachusetts, Polar will provide a hydration station for athletes, right next to the Clif Bar booth.
To see who else is sponsoring this year's Liberty Mutual U.S. National Championships of Cyclo-cross, visit www.cyclocrossnationals.com
About Liberty Mutual:
Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a leading global insurer and sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2004 direct written premium. As of Dec. 31, 2004, LMG had $72.4 billion in consolidated assets and $19.6 billion in annual consolidated revenue. The Company ranks 111th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States based on 2004 revenue.
Liberty Mutual Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, assumed reinsurance, fire and surety.
Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutual.com) employs more than 38,000 people in nearly 900 offices throughout the world.
About Roger Williams Park:
Known as the 'Jewel of Providence,' the award-winning Roger Williams Park attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. Cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier urban parks, Roger Williams Park was designed by Horace Cleveland. Roger Williams Park is located just south of downtown Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.
About USA Cycling:
USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the USOC and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions. USA Cycling, doing business as the USCF, NORBA, and USPRO, controls nearly two dozen major events each year and issues permits for up to 3,000 more.
About the New England Cyclo-cross Association:
The New England Cyclo-cross Association is the committee formed specifically to promote the 2005 and 2006 Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships. Headquartered in Arlington, Mass., the core members of this committee have experience promoting four national championships and dozens of national caliber events. Read more!
"These are the national championships. We appreciate that people travel thousands of miles and put in hundreds of hours to get a shot at that stars-and-stripes jersey. They all deserve a good shot and Clif Bar and Mavic is there to help them," said Lyle Fulkerson, operations director. "The big teams will be set up with their own trucks and tents and RVs. But Clif Bar, Mavic and Polar are right there to offer that same support to the nervous teen-ager racing their first nationals."
All of these athlete services will be arranged at Turn One, just beyond the finish line.
"Early this year when Richard Fries approached us with the news that he'd be helping to promote the 'Cross Nats in Providence, we knew it would only make sense for Clif Bar to come on board as a supporter of the event," said Dylan Seguin of the Team Clif Bar program. "TCB Cyclocross riders Mark McCormack and Jesse Anthony are definitely looking forward to racing in Providence as are all of the riders I've spoken with."
Promoters have also selected Mavic, the same French company that supports the Tour de France, to provide on-site mechanical support before, during, and after the event.
"No other company has such a sense of elan as Mavic," said Richard Fries, communications director. "When your bike is broken, those yellow trucks and cars and all those mechanics are your angels of mechanical mercy. We picked Mavic not just for their expertise, but also for their courteous manners. They treat a beginner like a pro."
"We're very excited to be part of the 2005 Cyclo-cross Nationals," said Sean Sullivan, Mavic communications manager. "From the huge rider turnout to the great venue it's shaping up to be one of the best nationals in recent memory. By the looks of the record number of people pre-registered, I think our neutral service guys in yellow will be quite busy."
Mavic will also set up and oversee the pit areas on the course, a mechanical madhouse found nowhere else in cycling.
"In cyclo-cross the pits are more important than any other cycling event. It's common to see riders to use two or three bikes in a race," said Tom Stevens, race director. A mechanical team must hand off a new bike to a racer and then clean, repair and lubricate the other machine to be ready in just half a lap. "They have to do all this in three minutes. We needed a good company to back us up. We picked Mavic."
Promoters also had key support from Polar Beverages. Based in Central Massachusetts, Polar will provide a hydration station for athletes, right next to the Clif Bar booth.
To see who else is sponsoring this year's Liberty Mutual U.S. National Championships of Cyclo-cross, visit www.cyclocrossnationals.com
About Liberty Mutual:
Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a leading global insurer and sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2004 direct written premium. As of Dec. 31, 2004, LMG had $72.4 billion in consolidated assets and $19.6 billion in annual consolidated revenue. The Company ranks 111th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States based on 2004 revenue.
Liberty Mutual Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, assumed reinsurance, fire and surety.
Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutual.com) employs more than 38,000 people in nearly 900 offices throughout the world.
About Roger Williams Park:
Known as the 'Jewel of Providence,' the award-winning Roger Williams Park attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. Cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier urban parks, Roger Williams Park was designed by Horace Cleveland. Roger Williams Park is located just south of downtown Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.
About USA Cycling:
USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the USOC and is responsible for identifying, training and selecting cyclists to represent the United States in international competitions. USA Cycling, doing business as the USCF, NORBA, and USPRO, controls nearly two dozen major events each year and issues permits for up to 3,000 more.
About the New England Cyclo-cross Association:
The New England Cyclo-cross Association is the committee formed specifically to promote the 2005 and 2006 Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships. Headquartered in Arlington, Mass., the core members of this committee have experience promoting four national championships and dozens of national caliber events. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Cyclocross country
By: Heather Clark, Bend (OR) Bulletin :: Strange as it sounds, at least a few Central Oregon cyclists were glad to see snow piling up on the ground last week.
In fact, they were actually out riding in it - preparing for what is likely to be a snow-laden course this weekend at the U.S. National Cyclocross Championships
After two years in Portland, the cyclocross nationals move to Providence, R.I., where more than 1,200 riders are expected to compete this Friday through Sunday for national titles in 25 categories.
The three-day event is sanctioned by USA Cycling, the governing body of competitive cycling in the United States, and recognized by the International Olympic Committee and International Cycling Union (UCI).
Cyclocross is a full-throttle, 30- to 60-minute circuit race that challenges riders over a variety of on- and off-road terrain, including leaping over barriers and scaling steep sections where cyclists must dismount and "run up."
Because cyclocross racing commonly takes place during the fall and winter, course difficulty is often determined by weather conditions like rain or snow.
Carson Miller, the third-place finisher in the junior men's 15-16 division at the 2004 national championships, upgraded to the elite junior men's 17-18 UCI division this year. (In cyclocross, racing ages are determined by how old a rider is during the year in which the world championships are held - in this case, 2006.)
A junior at Bend's Summit High School, Miller, 16, competed at four of the six U.S. Grand Prix of Cyclocross races this season. He picked up a fifth-place finish at the Stumptown Classic in Portland, along with three other finishes this year. Miller is currently ranked 10th in UCI points.
For Miller, a top-five performance at the national championship event could mean an invitation to 2006 World Cyclocross Championships next month in Zeddam, Netherlands. A win on Saturday would guarantee it.
"I'm definitely starting to feel stronger and see my 'cross technique improving," says Miller, who also races road and mountain bikes.
With older riders in his age category producing better results this season, Miller recognizes that a spot on the world team is a long shot this year.
"It's been much harder for me," he explains, "racing in much bigger fields with kids who train like athletes - kids who live and breathe cyclocross."
The key to a good performance, he says, is starting the race at the front of the pack and keeping his bike upright.
"It'll be critical to have a good start," Miller says. "This year racing UCI juniors, it comes down to who doesn't crash. If you crash, you surrender the race."
Miller will be joined in Rhode Island by other Central Oregon cyclocross racers, including Don Leet and Joanne Stevens, both of Bend.
Leet, competing in the men's 55-59 category on Sunday, is hoping for snow.
"Anytime it takes more technical skills, I have an advantage over the other riders in my category," notes Leet, who was a silver medalist at the 1988 world mountain bike championships in the downhill race. "It's a challenge being able to ride this crazy stuff and also go hard - using both fitness and bike-handling skills."
Although Leet has not raced before on the East Coast, he's had plenty of national championship experience. In 2004 he finished seventh, and in 2002 he was sixth.
Leet's 2005 resume includes a banner year racing at Portland's Cross Crusade series. He finished second overall in points in a field of 20 riders.
Stevens, 38, sacrificed impressive results for tougher competition over the course of the 2005 'cross season. Instead of racing in her masters age group at the Grand Prix of Cyclocross series races, she chose to test her merit against elite and professional women in order to be in top shape at this Saturday's national championship race in the 35-39 division.
"The competition is a lot stiffer in the elite category, so it pushes you," says Stevens. "You've got to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation if you ever want to improve. It's not about how well you finish, but just for the experience."
Like Miller, Stevens, who finished eighth in her age group last year at the national championship race, believes a strong sprint start is critical to the race's outcome.
"Everybody is fighting for that line at the start," she says. "It can be very intimidating. If you get bogged down (in the pack) you can lose so many more places."
In addition to the women's 35-to-39 race on Saturday, Stevens plans to ride Sunday in the women's elite competition.
Other Central Oregon riders expected to make their mark on the national championship course - all from Bend - are Jim Miller, participating in his first-ever national championship race, and professionals Adam Craig and Carl Decker in the men's elite race on Saturday.
"I've never flown to a bike race," says Jim Miller, who is scheduled to compete Friday in the men's 45-to-49 division. "So to pack up my bike and fly somewhere feels pretty big-time."
For more information, visit www.cyclocrossnationals.com. Read more!
In fact, they were actually out riding in it - preparing for what is likely to be a snow-laden course this weekend at the U.S. National Cyclocross Championships
After two years in Portland, the cyclocross nationals move to Providence, R.I., where more than 1,200 riders are expected to compete this Friday through Sunday for national titles in 25 categories.
The three-day event is sanctioned by USA Cycling, the governing body of competitive cycling in the United States, and recognized by the International Olympic Committee and International Cycling Union (UCI).
Cyclocross is a full-throttle, 30- to 60-minute circuit race that challenges riders over a variety of on- and off-road terrain, including leaping over barriers and scaling steep sections where cyclists must dismount and "run up."
Because cyclocross racing commonly takes place during the fall and winter, course difficulty is often determined by weather conditions like rain or snow.
Carson Miller, the third-place finisher in the junior men's 15-16 division at the 2004 national championships, upgraded to the elite junior men's 17-18 UCI division this year. (In cyclocross, racing ages are determined by how old a rider is during the year in which the world championships are held - in this case, 2006.)
A junior at Bend's Summit High School, Miller, 16, competed at four of the six U.S. Grand Prix of Cyclocross races this season. He picked up a fifth-place finish at the Stumptown Classic in Portland, along with three other finishes this year. Miller is currently ranked 10th in UCI points.
For Miller, a top-five performance at the national championship event could mean an invitation to 2006 World Cyclocross Championships next month in Zeddam, Netherlands. A win on Saturday would guarantee it.
"I'm definitely starting to feel stronger and see my 'cross technique improving," says Miller, who also races road and mountain bikes.
With older riders in his age category producing better results this season, Miller recognizes that a spot on the world team is a long shot this year.
"It's been much harder for me," he explains, "racing in much bigger fields with kids who train like athletes - kids who live and breathe cyclocross."
The key to a good performance, he says, is starting the race at the front of the pack and keeping his bike upright.
"It'll be critical to have a good start," Miller says. "This year racing UCI juniors, it comes down to who doesn't crash. If you crash, you surrender the race."
Miller will be joined in Rhode Island by other Central Oregon cyclocross racers, including Don Leet and Joanne Stevens, both of Bend.
Leet, competing in the men's 55-59 category on Sunday, is hoping for snow.
"Anytime it takes more technical skills, I have an advantage over the other riders in my category," notes Leet, who was a silver medalist at the 1988 world mountain bike championships in the downhill race. "It's a challenge being able to ride this crazy stuff and also go hard - using both fitness and bike-handling skills."
Although Leet has not raced before on the East Coast, he's had plenty of national championship experience. In 2004 he finished seventh, and in 2002 he was sixth.
Leet's 2005 resume includes a banner year racing at Portland's Cross Crusade series. He finished second overall in points in a field of 20 riders.
Stevens, 38, sacrificed impressive results for tougher competition over the course of the 2005 'cross season. Instead of racing in her masters age group at the Grand Prix of Cyclocross series races, she chose to test her merit against elite and professional women in order to be in top shape at this Saturday's national championship race in the 35-39 division.
"The competition is a lot stiffer in the elite category, so it pushes you," says Stevens. "You've got to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation if you ever want to improve. It's not about how well you finish, but just for the experience."
Like Miller, Stevens, who finished eighth in her age group last year at the national championship race, believes a strong sprint start is critical to the race's outcome.
"Everybody is fighting for that line at the start," she says. "It can be very intimidating. If you get bogged down (in the pack) you can lose so many more places."
In addition to the women's 35-to-39 race on Saturday, Stevens plans to ride Sunday in the women's elite competition.
Other Central Oregon riders expected to make their mark on the national championship course - all from Bend - are Jim Miller, participating in his first-ever national championship race, and professionals Adam Craig and Carl Decker in the men's elite race on Saturday.
"I've never flown to a bike race," says Jim Miller, who is scheduled to compete Friday in the men's 45-to-49 division. "So to pack up my bike and fly somewhere feels pretty big-time."
For more information, visit www.cyclocrossnationals.com. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Road bikers blaze trail
By: Josh Blevins, Denver Post :: Longmont - With freezing temperatures and several inches of fresh snow on the ground, the silliest question to ask is: "Is the cyclocross state championship bike race canceled?""This is the kind of weather we hope for," says Boulder cyclocross racer Ryan Amirault as he prepares to pedal, push and carry his knobby-tire road bike as fast as possible around an office park on Saturday morning outside Longmont.
Cyclocross, which is nearly twice as old as mountain biking, is all about grinding through frosty mud and slush under cold, dreary skies. The sport was born nearly a century ago among European cyclists eager to stretch their pedaling season into winter. They would race short laps around city parks, laying their course across obstacles that required getting off and running with their bikes slung over shoulders. That way their feet wouldn't freeze in the dead of winter. People from town would come and watch the impromptu races, and a sport was born.
It has taken awhile for the sport's popularity to grow this side of the pond. But a nascent cadre of mud-caked riders is pedaling feverishly to ferry the dirt-and-pavement contests into the U.S. cycling mainstream. It's a daunting task, but if anyone is up for the challenge, it's the cyclocross racer who thinks snow-slick pavement is for speed and sodden singletrack should be worn.
"This is masochism at its finest," says Chris Grealish, owner of Denver Boulder Couriers and a veteran cyclocrosser who first brought the hybrid racers to Boulder nearly 20 years ago. "These racers work harder than anyone on a bike. There's time when you can taste the capillaries that burst. I'm not kidding. You can taste blood when you do this."
Last Saturday, several hundred riders eschewed the powder in the mountains and flocked to the Xilinx corporate campus in Longmont to celebrate the final pedal strokes of the Colorado cycling season. More than 10 categories of riders raced laps around a roughly 2-mile course for 45 minutes. The pros went a full hour in what is called the "steeplechase of cycling."
This wasn't put-the-head-down-and- pedal-endlessly riding. This was uphill grinding through sticky and slick mud. Technical downhills snaked through dense trees. The flats featured potholes and jumps. Twice the loop required running and hurdling barriers with bikes on shoulders. A parcel of slick pavement was the best opportunity to pass and racers elbowed and jostled one another like a Tour de France finish. All of this without respite. Cyclocross racers hover near redline with the hammer down for the duration of the race. There is no recovery time; no coasting. From start to finish, cyclocrossers go full bore on and off the bike.
"It's pretty fun to handle the bike a bit instead of just opening the throttle," says Tim Faia, a 37-year-old mountain biker from Breckenridge who notched his fifth consecutive cyclocross win this season and the state championship title in the 35-and-older open category last Saturday.
Faia admits he probably couldn't beat his road-racing competitors on the road. They probably couldn't beat him off-road. But in the muddy middle ground of cyclocross, it's anybody's guess
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who grabs the highest step on the podium.
There's a unique blending of cultures in cyclocross, which happens in the months when it's too snowy to ride singletrack in the mountains and the weather is often too harsh for road riding. In those dark days of cycling, cyclocross blooms.
"This is where mountain and road come together. This is our common sport," says Alex Coehlo , a 15-year-old from Loveland who has five national cyclocross titles and four national road racing titles.
Coehlo describes his winning strategy as a fusion of road-riding schemes involving drafting and chess-like craftiness, and mountain biking skills such as maneuvering and foresight.
Just as cyclocross marries mountain and road riding, the bikes themselves are an amalgam of both bikes. A cyclocross bike has a high clearance for obstacles and knobby tires - like a mountain bike. It also is super light, with 29-inch (700mm) wheels and skinny tires like a road bike. But a cyclocross bike shouldn't be too light. Lean toward the road ride too much when outfitting a cyclocross
A racer rides through some trees Saturday along a cyclocross course laid out around the Xilinx business park near Longmont. (Special / Matthew Staver)
ride, and the risk of bending and breaking equipment increases. Lean toward the mountain bike too much and risk getting pummeled by riders pushing less weight.
"You have to find that fine line," says Joe DePaemelaere, whose Primus Mootry shop in Longmont forges handcrafted and custom-designed bikes and sponsors some of the country's best cyclocross racers. "There is a lot of preparation and decision-making that goes into the bikes long before the race. That whole mechanical element requires some strategizing that really keeps things interesting from start to finish."
The sport is attracting the attention of Colorado's avid cycling community. The fastest-growing categories in this year's Boulder series skewed toward young and old. Brian Hludzinski has spent seven years organizing the five-race Boulder cyclocross series and state championship. This season was his busiest.
"It has started to catch on in the last few years," says the cyclocross racer and mountain bike coach for the University of Colorado cycling team.
An estimated 50 Colorado cyclocross riders will compete in the U.S. National Cyclocross Championships this weekend in Rhode Island.
"As competitive as we all are out here today, next weekend we'll really circle the wagons and we're coming back with a lot of medals," Grealish says. Read more!
Cyclocross, which is nearly twice as old as mountain biking, is all about grinding through frosty mud and slush under cold, dreary skies. The sport was born nearly a century ago among European cyclists eager to stretch their pedaling season into winter. They would race short laps around city parks, laying their course across obstacles that required getting off and running with their bikes slung over shoulders. That way their feet wouldn't freeze in the dead of winter. People from town would come and watch the impromptu races, and a sport was born.
It has taken awhile for the sport's popularity to grow this side of the pond. But a nascent cadre of mud-caked riders is pedaling feverishly to ferry the dirt-and-pavement contests into the U.S. cycling mainstream. It's a daunting task, but if anyone is up for the challenge, it's the cyclocross racer who thinks snow-slick pavement is for speed and sodden singletrack should be worn.
"This is masochism at its finest," says Chris Grealish, owner of Denver Boulder Couriers and a veteran cyclocrosser who first brought the hybrid racers to Boulder nearly 20 years ago. "These racers work harder than anyone on a bike. There's time when you can taste the capillaries that burst. I'm not kidding. You can taste blood when you do this."
Last Saturday, several hundred riders eschewed the powder in the mountains and flocked to the Xilinx corporate campus in Longmont to celebrate the final pedal strokes of the Colorado cycling season. More than 10 categories of riders raced laps around a roughly 2-mile course for 45 minutes. The pros went a full hour in what is called the "steeplechase of cycling."
This wasn't put-the-head-down-and- pedal-endlessly riding. This was uphill grinding through sticky and slick mud. Technical downhills snaked through dense trees. The flats featured potholes and jumps. Twice the loop required running and hurdling barriers with bikes on shoulders. A parcel of slick pavement was the best opportunity to pass and racers elbowed and jostled one another like a Tour de France finish. All of this without respite. Cyclocross racers hover near redline with the hammer down for the duration of the race. There is no recovery time; no coasting. From start to finish, cyclocrossers go full bore on and off the bike.
"It's pretty fun to handle the bike a bit instead of just opening the throttle," says Tim Faia, a 37-year-old mountain biker from Breckenridge who notched his fifth consecutive cyclocross win this season and the state championship title in the 35-and-older open category last Saturday.
Faia admits he probably couldn't beat his road-racing competitors on the road. They probably couldn't beat him off-road. But in the muddy middle ground of cyclocross, it's anybody's guess
Advertisement
who grabs the highest step on the podium.
There's a unique blending of cultures in cyclocross, which happens in the months when it's too snowy to ride singletrack in the mountains and the weather is often too harsh for road riding. In those dark days of cycling, cyclocross blooms.
"This is where mountain and road come together. This is our common sport," says Alex Coehlo , a 15-year-old from Loveland who has five national cyclocross titles and four national road racing titles.
Coehlo describes his winning strategy as a fusion of road-riding schemes involving drafting and chess-like craftiness, and mountain biking skills such as maneuvering and foresight.
Just as cyclocross marries mountain and road riding, the bikes themselves are an amalgam of both bikes. A cyclocross bike has a high clearance for obstacles and knobby tires - like a mountain bike. It also is super light, with 29-inch (700mm) wheels and skinny tires like a road bike. But a cyclocross bike shouldn't be too light. Lean toward the road ride too much when outfitting a cyclocross
A racer rides through some trees Saturday along a cyclocross course laid out around the Xilinx business park near Longmont. (Special / Matthew Staver)
ride, and the risk of bending and breaking equipment increases. Lean toward the mountain bike too much and risk getting pummeled by riders pushing less weight.
"You have to find that fine line," says Joe DePaemelaere, whose Primus Mootry shop in Longmont forges handcrafted and custom-designed bikes and sponsors some of the country's best cyclocross racers. "There is a lot of preparation and decision-making that goes into the bikes long before the race. That whole mechanical element requires some strategizing that really keeps things interesting from start to finish."
The sport is attracting the attention of Colorado's avid cycling community. The fastest-growing categories in this year's Boulder series skewed toward young and old. Brian Hludzinski has spent seven years organizing the five-race Boulder cyclocross series and state championship. This season was his busiest.
"It has started to catch on in the last few years," says the cyclocross racer and mountain bike coach for the University of Colorado cycling team.
An estimated 50 Colorado cyclocross riders will compete in the U.S. National Cyclocross Championships this weekend in Rhode Island.
"As competitive as we all are out here today, next weekend we'll really circle the wagons and we're coming back with a lot of medals," Grealish says. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Monday, December 05, 2005
CX Nats Racer Bible Available
The racer bible has been posted on the 'cross nats web site. Here is the direct LINK to the .PDF file. See ya this weekend!
Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Monday, December 05, 2005
Only Gould Can Penetrate the Fort in Verge MAC
FAIR HILL, Md., Dec. 4 - When the Fort Frames/Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Associates team traveled to the final stop of the 2005 Verge Mid Atlantic cyclo-cross series on December 4, they had one goal - defend the fort!With defending champions in both pro classes, and a dominator in the Masters class, the Fort/GPOA team had their
eyes on championships in all three money classes and the team championship. Ryan Leech and Mike Yozell pedaled their Fort bicycles into the record books, but Kona's Georgia Gould was fast enough to penetrate the fort before the drawbridge was pulled up, taking her first cyclo-cross championship.
Race day downed to greet racers with a cold, damp, overcast day with wind and fog. An overnight mix of rain and snow, compounded by the previous day's MABRA championship races that used many of the same sections of the park, turned most of the track into slippery mud. It was the kind of day that even professional meteorologists might describe as 'icky.' And, with relatively little elevation change, it was also a good course for the growing contingent of single-speed racers. This was in evidence in the day's opening race for Class C Men, where Tim Bowman of Trophy Bike/Team Shiftless beat out local racer James Ambagis of Fort/GPOA. Team Shiftless placed two riders in the top three, and three riders in the top six. The concurrent B Women and Junior 10-16 races were won by Amy Breyla (Henry?s Bikes) and Morgan Gerlak (Alan Mid Atlantic).
Fort/GPOA's first big test came in the Master's race with Mike Yozell. Yozell, a long-time Elite rider and husband of Pennsylvania Champion Erica Yozell, started the first two races of the season in the Elite class. But, a severely sprained ankle changed his season. "My first race back was Granouge,?" said Yozell, "But I didn't want to come back with a sprained ankle in a C1 race. So, I did Masters." He won Granouge in the most exciting sprint of the year, and backed it up by winning the following day's Wissahickon race to take over the points lead. Coming into Fair Hill, he had a remarkable string of 5 consecutive wins in the Verge MAC Masters - which he extended to six with a wire-to-wire victory.
In the B-race, Verge MAC stalwart Adam Szczepanski (Bike & Blade - Serfs) took his first win over yet another Fort/GPOA rider, Chris Mayhew, by 17 seconds. For Mayhew, the series' principal PA announcer, it was the best finish of the season.
Coming into the Elite Women's race, Kona's Georgia Gould of Idaho held a slim lead in the points standings over two-time and defending champion Betsy Schauer from West Virginia and Fort/GPOA. A confirmed mudder, Gould loved the conditions, starting strong and extending her lead throughout the race to finish with a comfortable 3 minute, 25 second advantage over Schauer. It was the first major championship for ever-smiling Gould, who started racing 'cross only last year and who quickly endeared herself among her fellow racers. Such was the relationship that when Gould realized that her number wasn't pinned on properly while standing on the start line, she turned to her closest competitor Schauer - who carefully pinned it back in place, without drawing blood. The surprise of the race, if not the entire season, was the performance of Marilyn Galegher of Hunt Valley Bicycles. Moving up to the Elite field for the first time, Galegher put in a strong and composed performance to finish third ahead of many established Verge MAC competitors.
The Elite Men, the final race of the 2005 Verge MAC season, started with Fort/GPOA's Ryan Leech needing only to finish the race to defend his championship, but he was more concerned with honoring unofficial MAC photographer Dennis Smith. Taking the starter's megaphone on the start line, Leech awarded 'Den' with a certificate of appreciation and a cash gift collected from the MAC brotherhood. An hour later, Leech came across the finish line hand-in-hand with Fort/GPOA teammate Gunnar Shogren to clinch the 2005 Verge MAC Championships for both Elite Men and Overall Team. Roger Aspholm (Westwood Video) was able to make a small dent in the fort by beating out Weston Schempf for third place to avoid a 1-2-3 finish by the Fort/GPOA team.
Winning any championship series, let alone a series as prestigious as the Verge Mid-Atlantic Cyclo-Cross Series is cool. After her race, Georgia Gould was seen beaming ear-to-ear. Asked if she was smiling because of the championship or because she got to play in the mud, Gould replied, "Both," then laughed and said, "Actually, it's not really a smile - it's more of a grimace. I'm so cold."
And so, the new champ proved that racing in the Verge MAC is 'way cool.'
Fair Hill 'Cross Results:
Elite Men
1 Ryan Leech
2 Gunnar Shogren
3 Roger Aspholm
Elite Women
1 Georgia Gould
2 Betsy Schauer
3 Marilyn Galegher Read more!
eyes on championships in all three money classes and the team championship. Ryan Leech and Mike Yozell pedaled their Fort bicycles into the record books, but Kona's Georgia Gould was fast enough to penetrate the fort before the drawbridge was pulled up, taking her first cyclo-cross championship.
Race day downed to greet racers with a cold, damp, overcast day with wind and fog. An overnight mix of rain and snow, compounded by the previous day's MABRA championship races that used many of the same sections of the park, turned most of the track into slippery mud. It was the kind of day that even professional meteorologists might describe as 'icky.' And, with relatively little elevation change, it was also a good course for the growing contingent of single-speed racers. This was in evidence in the day's opening race for Class C Men, where Tim Bowman of Trophy Bike/Team Shiftless beat out local racer James Ambagis of Fort/GPOA. Team Shiftless placed two riders in the top three, and three riders in the top six. The concurrent B Women and Junior 10-16 races were won by Amy Breyla (Henry?s Bikes) and Morgan Gerlak (Alan Mid Atlantic).
Fort/GPOA's first big test came in the Master's race with Mike Yozell. Yozell, a long-time Elite rider and husband of Pennsylvania Champion Erica Yozell, started the first two races of the season in the Elite class. But, a severely sprained ankle changed his season. "My first race back was Granouge,?" said Yozell, "But I didn't want to come back with a sprained ankle in a C1 race. So, I did Masters." He won Granouge in the most exciting sprint of the year, and backed it up by winning the following day's Wissahickon race to take over the points lead. Coming into Fair Hill, he had a remarkable string of 5 consecutive wins in the Verge MAC Masters - which he extended to six with a wire-to-wire victory.
In the B-race, Verge MAC stalwart Adam Szczepanski (Bike & Blade - Serfs) took his first win over yet another Fort/GPOA rider, Chris Mayhew, by 17 seconds. For Mayhew, the series' principal PA announcer, it was the best finish of the season.
Coming into the Elite Women's race, Kona's Georgia Gould of Idaho held a slim lead in the points standings over two-time and defending champion Betsy Schauer from West Virginia and Fort/GPOA. A confirmed mudder, Gould loved the conditions, starting strong and extending her lead throughout the race to finish with a comfortable 3 minute, 25 second advantage over Schauer. It was the first major championship for ever-smiling Gould, who started racing 'cross only last year and who quickly endeared herself among her fellow racers. Such was the relationship that when Gould realized that her number wasn't pinned on properly while standing on the start line, she turned to her closest competitor Schauer - who carefully pinned it back in place, without drawing blood. The surprise of the race, if not the entire season, was the performance of Marilyn Galegher of Hunt Valley Bicycles. Moving up to the Elite field for the first time, Galegher put in a strong and composed performance to finish third ahead of many established Verge MAC competitors.
The Elite Men, the final race of the 2005 Verge MAC season, started with Fort/GPOA's Ryan Leech needing only to finish the race to defend his championship, but he was more concerned with honoring unofficial MAC photographer Dennis Smith. Taking the starter's megaphone on the start line, Leech awarded 'Den' with a certificate of appreciation and a cash gift collected from the MAC brotherhood. An hour later, Leech came across the finish line hand-in-hand with Fort/GPOA teammate Gunnar Shogren to clinch the 2005 Verge MAC Championships for both Elite Men and Overall Team. Roger Aspholm (Westwood Video) was able to make a small dent in the fort by beating out Weston Schempf for third place to avoid a 1-2-3 finish by the Fort/GPOA team.
Winning any championship series, let alone a series as prestigious as the Verge Mid-Atlantic Cyclo-Cross Series is cool. After her race, Georgia Gould was seen beaming ear-to-ear. Asked if she was smiling because of the championship or because she got to play in the mud, Gould replied, "Both," then laughed and said, "Actually, it's not really a smile - it's more of a grimace. I'm so cold."
And so, the new champ proved that racing in the Verge MAC is 'way cool.'
Fair Hill 'Cross Results:
Elite Men
1 Ryan Leech
2 Gunnar Shogren
3 Roger Aspholm
Elite Women
1 Georgia Gould
2 Betsy Schauer
3 Marilyn Galegher Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Monday, December 05, 2005
Pics & Video posted in the GALLERY from CO State Championships!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Monday, December 05, 2005
Providence Braces For Wintry Weather
(www.turnto10.com) :: The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning tonight for parts of Rhode Island.Weather Team Plus forecaster Kelly Bates said it will be mostly cloudy Monday with high temperatures in the mid-30s.
It will be mostly cloudy later in the day with snow beginning in the evening then heavier snow likely after midnight. Snow accumulation is expected to be from 2 to 4 inches. It will be cold with low temperatures in the mid-20s.
On Tuesday, expect snow in the morning, then snow likely in the afternoon. Total accumulation will be about 4 to 7 inches. It will be colder with highs in the upper 20s.
This would be the first major snowfall of the season.
There will be partly cloudy skies on Tuesday evening with a chance of snow showers in the evening. Cold with lows around 20. West winds will blow 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. The chance of snow Tuesday evening is 30 percent.
Stay with NBC 10 Weather Plus for the latest forecast. Read more!
It will be mostly cloudy later in the day with snow beginning in the evening then heavier snow likely after midnight. Snow accumulation is expected to be from 2 to 4 inches. It will be cold with low temperatures in the mid-20s.
On Tuesday, expect snow in the morning, then snow likely in the afternoon. Total accumulation will be about 4 to 7 inches. It will be colder with highs in the upper 20s.
This would be the first major snowfall of the season.
There will be partly cloudy skies on Tuesday evening with a chance of snow showers in the evening. Cold with lows around 20. West winds will blow 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. The chance of snow Tuesday evening is 30 percent.
Stay with NBC 10 Weather Plus for the latest forecast. Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Monday, December 05, 2005
McCormack Wins Final Verge NECCS, Johnson Takes Jersey, Bruno Roy Cements Title with Rhode Island Win
By: PRESS RELEASE (NEcyclocross.com) :: With a race that will live in the annals of New England cyclo-cross history, Mark McCormack (Team Clif Bar) eked out a bike length win over Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) in a sprint finale at Sunday’s Caster’s Grand Prix in Warwick, Rhode Islandthe sixth and final stop of the 2005 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series, presented by Cycle-Smart. But while McCormack carried the day in treacherous snowy conditions, Johnson wrested the overall Series title from the four-time defending champion in a battle of true New England ‘cross icons.
The harbor side course, a new addition to the Verge NECCS, offered a radical menu of challenges, including fresh snow packed to an icy glaze, two extended runs through soft beach sand, and enough twists and turns to cause a degree of dizziness. The blustery December weather did nothing to slow down McCormack, who shot off the front of the Elite men’s field on the first lap with Barry Wicks (Kona). Johnson bridged to the pair on the third lap, blasting out of his first-lap doldrums with an impressive bit of speed.
Wicks was soon dropped off, leaving McCormack and Johnson, to battle it out. Johnson only had to stay upright and finish second to guarantee a Series win, but he chose instead to battle the entire race, attacking McCormack repeatedly and with conviction. A much-improved runner over the past several years, McCormack always managed to negate Johnson’s moves on select sections of the course. With no surrender on his mind, Johnson chose to lead the technical sections on the last lap, trying to force McCormack into a mistake, but the savvy Massachusetts native stayed upright and sprinted past Johnson in the closing meters of the paved finish chute.
“With this today I won half the Verge NECCS races this season, which I’m really happy with,” said McCormack. “I had one bad race, at Chainbiter, but with the quality of the guys in the Series you can’t really afford to have any bad races. Tim excels on the slippery stuff, he has a lot of confidence in his abilities in these conditions so I knew I had to stay with him and pick my own spots to go fast.”
For his part, Johnson felt a strong result and the overall jersey were a better outcome than he’d ever expected when he launched his cyclo-cross comeback in September.
“No way I expected to win the Verge NECCS,” said Johnson. “My worst result of the year has been fifth so I’ve been really consistent and I guess it shows.”
Having finished second in the overall Series points chase in 2004, Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication) was well primed to upgrade her spot on the overall podium in 2005. And with a convincing win in Warwick, Bruno Roy picked up a much-cherished double: the Series leader’s jersey by virtue of a victory. Using her background as a collegiate runner to its fullest advantage, Bruno Roy sped through the race’s two extended waterside running sections, all while riding a mistake-free race through the many ice slickened twists and turns of the Goddard Park course. Bruno Roy’s win was enough to put her over the top and secure her the Series win over the absent Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau), winner of the first four Verge NECCS races.
Christina Vardaros (Velo Bella), in town to prepare for next weekend’s National Championships, turned in a “never say die” performance, keeping Bruno Roy within a 30 second margin, though never seriously threatening the lead. Vardaros tallied second, an impressive result for the Californian. Proving herself no fluke on the ‘cross scene, Amy Wallace (Verizon Wireless-Wheelworks) nabbed the final spot on the Elite Women’s podium for the second day in a row.
“I knew after yesterday that I could win today,” said Bruno Roy. “I made some mistake on Saturday and combined with not feeling 100 percent I couldn’t win. So I wanted to race hard today, make no mistakes, and win the Series.”
Even though he crashed out of the final race, Jesse Anthony (Team Clif Bar) ran away with his second consecutive Under-23 Series title. Jonny Bold (Corner Cycle) swept the weekend’s proceedings in the Masters 35+, winning both days in impressive fashion. Kevin Hines (Gearworks-Spin Arts) edged teammate Scott Wade in the Masters 45+. Chris Case (University of Texas) won his second Men’s B race in as many weeks, following up his impressive showing from the snow bound Sterling, Mass. event last week with a stellar performance in snowy Warwick. Jerome Townsend (Bicycle Alley) closed out an impressive campaign in the Junior Men’s Series, winning the finals and sweeping the Rhode Island weekend. Silas Anthony (ECV) won the Junior 15-16 and Shawn Hudlin (BCA-VOMax) won the Cub Juniors). Phil Bannister (Putney-West Hill) ran away with the Masters 55+.
2005 Verge New England Championships Cyclo-Cross Series, Presented by Cycle-Smart
Race #6, Caster’s Grand Prix
Goddard Park, Warwick, Rhode Island
Elite Men
1. Mark McCormack (Team Clif Bar), 58:13
2. Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau), same time
3. Erik Tonkin (Kona), 59:03
4. Adam Craig (Giant), 59:05
5. Barry Wicks (Kona), 59:30
6. Greg Reain (Stevens), 59:52
7. Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel), 59:57
8. Shannon Skerritt (Vanilla Bicycles), same time
9. Jason Tullous (VooDoo), same time
10. Tristan Schouten (Trek-VW), 1:01:12
Elite Women
1. Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication), 41:37
2. Christine Vardaros (Velo Bella), 41:58
3. Amy Wallace (Verizon Wireless-Wheelworks). 43:15
4. Mackenzie Dickey (Bicycle Alley), 43:52
5. Rebecca Wellons (Gearworks-SpinArts), 43:54
6. Melanie Swartz (Squadra Coppi), 43:58
7. Pauline Frascone (Independent Fabrication), 44:01
8. Stephanie White (Gearworks-Spin Arts), 45:28
9. Sara Cushman (Gearworks-Spin Arts), same time
10. Marianne Stover (Independent Fabrication), 45:43
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.
Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series
October 15 - Downeast Cyclo-Cross, New Gloucester, ME
November 12 - ChainBiter 7.0 Cyclo-Cross, Farmington, CT
November 13 - Cycle-Smart International Cyclo-Cross, Northampton, MA
November 26 - Gearworks Bay State Cyclo-Cross, Sterling, MA
December 3 - W. E. Stedman Co. Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross, S. Kingstown, RI
December 4 - Castor's Grand Prix, Warwick, RI
For more information on the 2005 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series please go to www.necyclocross.com
Read more!
The harbor side course, a new addition to the Verge NECCS, offered a radical menu of challenges, including fresh snow packed to an icy glaze, two extended runs through soft beach sand, and enough twists and turns to cause a degree of dizziness. The blustery December weather did nothing to slow down McCormack, who shot off the front of the Elite men’s field on the first lap with Barry Wicks (Kona). Johnson bridged to the pair on the third lap, blasting out of his first-lap doldrums with an impressive bit of speed.
Wicks was soon dropped off, leaving McCormack and Johnson, to battle it out. Johnson only had to stay upright and finish second to guarantee a Series win, but he chose instead to battle the entire race, attacking McCormack repeatedly and with conviction. A much-improved runner over the past several years, McCormack always managed to negate Johnson’s moves on select sections of the course. With no surrender on his mind, Johnson chose to lead the technical sections on the last lap, trying to force McCormack into a mistake, but the savvy Massachusetts native stayed upright and sprinted past Johnson in the closing meters of the paved finish chute.
“With this today I won half the Verge NECCS races this season, which I’m really happy with,” said McCormack. “I had one bad race, at Chainbiter, but with the quality of the guys in the Series you can’t really afford to have any bad races. Tim excels on the slippery stuff, he has a lot of confidence in his abilities in these conditions so I knew I had to stay with him and pick my own spots to go fast.”
For his part, Johnson felt a strong result and the overall jersey were a better outcome than he’d ever expected when he launched his cyclo-cross comeback in September.
“No way I expected to win the Verge NECCS,” said Johnson. “My worst result of the year has been fifth so I’ve been really consistent and I guess it shows.”
Having finished second in the overall Series points chase in 2004, Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication) was well primed to upgrade her spot on the overall podium in 2005. And with a convincing win in Warwick, Bruno Roy picked up a much-cherished double: the Series leader’s jersey by virtue of a victory. Using her background as a collegiate runner to its fullest advantage, Bruno Roy sped through the race’s two extended waterside running sections, all while riding a mistake-free race through the many ice slickened twists and turns of the Goddard Park course. Bruno Roy’s win was enough to put her over the top and secure her the Series win over the absent Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau), winner of the first four Verge NECCS races.
Christina Vardaros (Velo Bella), in town to prepare for next weekend’s National Championships, turned in a “never say die” performance, keeping Bruno Roy within a 30 second margin, though never seriously threatening the lead. Vardaros tallied second, an impressive result for the Californian. Proving herself no fluke on the ‘cross scene, Amy Wallace (Verizon Wireless-Wheelworks) nabbed the final spot on the Elite Women’s podium for the second day in a row.
“I knew after yesterday that I could win today,” said Bruno Roy. “I made some mistake on Saturday and combined with not feeling 100 percent I couldn’t win. So I wanted to race hard today, make no mistakes, and win the Series.”
Even though he crashed out of the final race, Jesse Anthony (Team Clif Bar) ran away with his second consecutive Under-23 Series title. Jonny Bold (Corner Cycle) swept the weekend’s proceedings in the Masters 35+, winning both days in impressive fashion. Kevin Hines (Gearworks-Spin Arts) edged teammate Scott Wade in the Masters 45+. Chris Case (University of Texas) won his second Men’s B race in as many weeks, following up his impressive showing from the snow bound Sterling, Mass. event last week with a stellar performance in snowy Warwick. Jerome Townsend (Bicycle Alley) closed out an impressive campaign in the Junior Men’s Series, winning the finals and sweeping the Rhode Island weekend. Silas Anthony (ECV) won the Junior 15-16 and Shawn Hudlin (BCA-VOMax) won the Cub Juniors). Phil Bannister (Putney-West Hill) ran away with the Masters 55+.
2005 Verge New England Championships Cyclo-Cross Series, Presented by Cycle-Smart
Race #6, Caster’s Grand Prix
Goddard Park, Warwick, Rhode Island
Elite Men
1. Mark McCormack (Team Clif Bar), 58:13
2. Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau), same time
3. Erik Tonkin (Kona), 59:03
4. Adam Craig (Giant), 59:05
5. Barry Wicks (Kona), 59:30
6. Greg Reain (Stevens), 59:52
7. Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly-Pool Gel), 59:57
8. Shannon Skerritt (Vanilla Bicycles), same time
9. Jason Tullous (VooDoo), same time
10. Tristan Schouten (Trek-VW), 1:01:12
Elite Women
1. Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication), 41:37
2. Christine Vardaros (Velo Bella), 41:58
3. Amy Wallace (Verizon Wireless-Wheelworks). 43:15
4. Mackenzie Dickey (Bicycle Alley), 43:52
5. Rebecca Wellons (Gearworks-SpinArts), 43:54
6. Melanie Swartz (Squadra Coppi), 43:58
7. Pauline Frascone (Independent Fabrication), 44:01
8. Stephanie White (Gearworks-Spin Arts), 45:28
9. Sara Cushman (Gearworks-Spin Arts), same time
10. Marianne Stover (Independent Fabrication), 45:43
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.
Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series
October 15 - Downeast Cyclo-Cross, New Gloucester, ME
November 12 - ChainBiter 7.0 Cyclo-Cross, Farmington, CT
November 13 - Cycle-Smart International Cyclo-Cross, Northampton, MA
November 26 - Gearworks Bay State Cyclo-Cross, Sterling, MA
December 3 - W. E. Stedman Co. Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross, S. Kingstown, RI
December 4 - Castor's Grand Prix, Warwick, RI
For more information on the 2005 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series please go to www.necyclocross.com
Read more!
posted by Ryan Amirault at Monday, December 05, 2005