Yannick Eckmann wins 2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships
[updated 12/19/2012]
When asked just before the race started how he felt about defending his state championship, Yannick Eckmann said, “We’ll see. It’s not muddy.”
For many of the local riders, traveling from race venue to race venue as the cyclocross season unfolded along the Front Range of Colorado has been like roaming a desert in search of an elusive oasis of mud. The 2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships provided the 48 riders starting the men’s open race with more of the same dry conditions – a combination of hard dusty tracks and inch-deep silt with loose soil along the margins. Last year Eckmann won in conditions that were more variable with multiple mud sections.
Brady Kappius on the big-air hill during 2012 Cross of the North
Prior to the race Boulder Cycle Sport’s Russell Stevenson described this year’s course, which doubled as Cross of the North, as “flat, fast, technical.” It contained BMX-like features, such as a collection of tight rollers and a bump after a descent that created big-air action during the single speed race.
Despite Eckmann’s pre-race comment, he quickly dispelled any doubts about the performance everyone expected from him due to his strong season thus far. Just one week prior the California Giant Berry Farms / Specialized rider proudly wore the U23 leader’s jersey at the final USGP in Bend.
Race action
Eckmann led the field around the first turn. Then he sped out of a series of U-turns with the hungry Spencer Powlison of Evol Elite p/b Pharmaca on his wheel. Brady Kappius (Clif Bar) pursued, followed by Stevenson and Allen Krughoff (Raleigh-Clement) among other riders as they passed the pits and veered onto a straight-away to the far north end of the circuit.
The riders looped back to the heart of the course, the BMX-like section that led back to the pits and then to the run-up where deep, loose soil rendered running or riding difficult. During pre-ride time a number of riders had tested their ability to pedal the run-up to the top. Some succeeded, turning the pedals in slow-motion over the last few feet and the final steepest part, the top edge. Eckmann rode the entire pitch during practice; he later said he had concealed this fact from Krughoff during a pre-race conversation. Eckmann described this concealment as a tactic; he didn’t want anyone ahead of him on the run-up blocking his progress.
Now during the race, massive cheers rose from the spectators as Eckmann rode all of the steep run-up, as well as Kappius ten seconds later, and Powlison.
Allen Krughoff was the picture of fierce at 2012 Colorado State Champs
On one of the straight-aways, over the barriers, or in the S- or U-turns that took the riders part-way into the second lap, Krughoff made his way into second place. A collection of riders each separated by a handful of seconds followed him: Powlison, the ever-present-near-the-front Brandon Dwight and his teammate Stevenson, Kappius, Skyler Trujillo (Boo Bicycles), Tim Allen of Feedback Sports, Pete Webber (Boulder Cycle Sport), and Allen’s teammate Ken Benesh.
As Eckmann continued to ride in first place on course, Krughoff built a lead of over ten seconds to the next group of riders by the second ascent of the run-up. From that point on Krughoff shouldered one of the hardest positions in the race.
He emptied himself to reach Eckmann’s wheel. He also fended off a rabid group close behind him – Powlison who had recently dubbed himself in a Tweet “the Raymond Poulidor of cyclocross,” Kappius who had given up a shot at a repeat single speed state championship so he could focus on the open race, and the U23 Skyler Trujillo and others aching for a win or podium memory to close out the season.
With three laps down and five to go fifteen seconds separated Eckmann and Krughoff and the chase group trying to take down the Raleigh-Clement rider had lost about twenty seconds to him. Throughout the remainder of the race the gaps between Eckmann and Krughoff and then to the chasers held pretty steady.
Skyler Trujillo ahead of Spencer Powlison on the 2012 states run-up
A dynamic battle played out among those chasers. With five laps to go Stevenson took charge. Trujillo took over with four laps remaining, Dwight and Powlison either biding their time or hanging on to stay with the group. With a little over three laps to go Stevenson’s shifters caught a pole. He crashed, rolled a tire, and changed his bike.
Then Powlison made his move. He passed Trujillo. Sweat dripping from his chin, Powlison tried to create a gap and claim third place.
Spencer Powlison at the top of Cross of the North run-up
Behind them Taylor Carrington and Steven Stefko (First City Cycling Team), then Mike Robson of Moots, Allen, and Webber completed the top ten on course. Stevenson would work his way through this group and finish sixth just behind this teammate Dwight who secured the fifth and final podium spot.
Krughoff conceded some seconds to Eckmann in the next to last lap, and the reverse played out the last time around the course. Eckmann smiled broadly when he crossed the line to become a repeat Colorado state champion. As he approached the finish line for next-best 25 seconds adrift of Eckmann, Krughoff greeted some spectators with high fives. Trujillo grabbed third, Powlison fourth, and Dwight fifth.
The confidence condition
During post-race interviews Eckmann clarified why he had seemed unsure about his chances on the start line, and it had more to do with preparation than anything else. He was feeling “a little bit out of it,” he said, because he had miscalculated the time and had to rush to make it for call-ups. The course conditions didn’t appear to be a factor after all.
“I can ride pretty good in the mud,” Eckmann said. “I can ride in the dry pretty good. That’s exactly what I want.” He went on to say that it was important to feel confident in all conditions, especially in Europe, where the competition is deeper.
“…there’s more riders at your level,” Eckmann said, referring to European racing. “If you tell yourself you’re not good in, let’s say mud, you’re not going to ride good in the mud.”
So forget about mastering muddy or dry. Perhaps the most important condition Eckmann excels in, whether his comments reveal it or not, is all-terrain confidence.
2012 Colorado cyclocross champs podium (l – r) Dwight 5th, Trujillo 3rd, Eckmann 1st, Krughoff 2nd, Powlison 4th
2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships, men’s open race top ten
| 1 | Yannick Eckmann, Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized | 58:52 |
| 2 | Allen Krughoff, Raleigh-Clement | 59:17 |
| 3 | Skyler Trujillo, Boo Bicycles | 59:39 |
| 4 | Spencer Powlison, Evol Elite p/b Pharmaca | 59:51 |
| 5 | Brandon Dwight, Boulder Cycle Sport | 60:02 |
| 6 | Russell Stevenson, Boulder Cycle Sport | 60:02 |
| 7 | Steven Stefko, First City Cycling Team | 60:11 |
| 8 | Taylor Carrington | 60:22 |
| 9 | Tim Allen, Feedback Sports | 60:27 |
| 10 | Michael Robson, Moots | 60:39 |
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Gallery
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- Spencer Powlison’s game face on the state champs start line
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- Yannick Eckmann led from the holeshot until the end of 2012 Cross of the North
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- Yannick Eckmann on the approach to the run-up at state champs
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- The steep top lip of the run-up forced many riders to dismount, especially in traffic
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- Brandon Dwight summits the run-up at 2012 CO state championships
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- Skyler Trujillo takes over the lead of the chase group behind Allen Krughoff
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- Taylor Carrington on the CO state champs run-up ahead of Steven Stefko
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- Josh Whitney continued to ride after this crash at CO state champs
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- Brady Kappius has fun on the big-air hill during 2012 Cross of the North
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- Brady Kappius leads Tim Allen mid-way through CO state champs
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- Stevenson, Powlison, Dwight, & Trujillo hunt Allen Krughoff at Cross of the North, lap 3
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- Chris Case of Feedback Sports at Cross of the North
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- Skyler Trujillo ahead of Spencer Powlison on the 2012 states run-up
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- Spencer Powlison at the top of Cross of the North run-up
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- Donn Kellogg cheers on Allen Krughoff at Colorado state champs
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- Some pushed bikes on the run-up; Gage Hecht carried
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- Yannick Eckmann wins 2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships
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- 2012 Colorado cyclocross champs podium (l – r) Dwight 5th, Trujillo 3rd, Eckmann 1st, Krughoff 2nd, Powlison 4th
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- Allen Krughoff took 2nd at the 2012 CO State ‘Cross Champs
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- Yannick Eckmann rode the run-up on laps 1, 3, 5, 7 & 8 at CO states
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- Redistributing bark along Cross of the North course
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- Yannick Eckmann at Cross of the North where he repeated a Colorado state ‘cross championship
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- Gage Hecht decides not to finish the men’s open race at Cross of the North
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- Allen Krughoff was the picture of fierce at 2012 Colorado State Champs
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- Is Evan Clouse thinking, “Can I be you one day, Yannick Eckmann?”
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- Stevenson: “Tire selection and air pressure are the nerdiest parts of this sport”
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- Jesse Swift shows air skills during single speed race at 2012 Cross of the North
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- Reeves MacDonald bequeathed a braid to Jesse Swift after the single speed race
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- William Iaia on Taylor Nye’s tail in Cross of the North single speed race
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- Jesse Swift’s mismatched socks with cached spectator
Nicole Duke with her son and daughter pre-race
Athletes and moms have a lot in common. One sacrifices for sport; the other, for the well-being of little humans. They both juggle schedules, exercise, the niggling details of daily life, and the need to sleep.
Many women who rode Sunday’s Colorado State Cyclocross Championship open race are moms as well as athletes, including the winner, Nicole Duke (Alchemy Bicycle Company). When the two vocations merge, it’s a powerful combination, one that creates an inner reserve of strength a woman isn’t aware of until she’s compelled to call on it.
A former World Cup mountain biker and third place finisher at last year’s cyclocross national championships, Duke arrived Sunday as a two-time Colorado cyclocross champion, having won in 2011 and 2010. So she warmed-up on the dry course as a clear favorite, but she wasn’t convinced she’d make it three in a row. When asked how she felt, she replied, “I wish I could say absolutely great but I’ve had a hard couple of weeks. My kids were really sick this week, both of them. The past three nights we haven’t really slept.”
Two nights ago Duke slept on the floor. Her son was so sick she decided to take him into her bed. He moaned and thrashed around so much she shifted to the floor. There she’d still be close enough if he needed her. And maybe she’d sleep some. Her two children are four and seven years-old.
“It’s hard to do it all, but I manage,” she said, as the conversation circled around being a mom. “Sometimes it works out really well where everything kind of flows and the kids are great, I can train, and I have a good rhythm. But this year, no rhythm whatsoever.”
Then she described her approach to the day’s state championship race: “I’m just going to take it how it comes.”
Kristin Weber chasing in lap 2 to keep her Colorado Cross Cup lead, at 2012 States
In another parking lot near the start line, local racer Kristin Weber (Boulder Cycle Sport) also prepared for the women’s open race. Like Duke, her children had traveled to the race with her.
The state championship is the last chance to gain points in the state cycling association’s season-long cyclocross contest, the Colorado Cross Cup. Weber held the lead in the women’s open category and hoped to end the day as the 2012 Cross Cup champion. She didn’t realize she led that competition until two weeks prior when her husband shared the news.
“I have so much going on with the rest of my life that I didn’t really pay attention to that…I have the kids and my work…it occupies my brain very much to have all those things going on.” Weber works full time at her graphic design business, Sugar Design.
Earlier in the morning Amanda Miller and Georgia Gould, who had pre-registered for the state championship race, decided not to take the start. This meant Weber had to shift her strategy to defend the Cross Cup; she needed to place higher than she previously thought. The absence of the two pros gifted other local riders in contention for that prize with the opportunity to gain more points if they placed ahead of Weber.
The Boulder Cycle Sport rider and mother of three sounded like she had quickly adjusted to that wrinkle in her plans. “I’ve been having some good races the past couple of weekends, so I feel like anything can happen today,” she said. “I’m just hoping to ride really smoothly and that’s sort of the mantra I keep in my head, and to relax because that’s when I do my best.” During her first full cyclocross season in 2010 Weber became the women’s 35+ Colorado state cyclocross champion.
Front row support, women’s open race line-up for 2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships
Race action
As Weber, Duke, and Meredith Miller of California Giant Berry Farms / Specialized together with thirty other women lined up to begin the forty minutes of hypoxia that would decide the new 2013 Colorado state champion, an official drew their attention. The first rider to the top of the run-up – a steep hill of loose, dry soil inches deep with a mini-cliff at the very top – would receive a $135 prize. Murmurs rose out of the field with that announcement, and Duke later said the prize provided extra motivation.
After the start whistle Duke led the field to the first turn. Her aggressive cornering – she tilted her bike so far on edge her knee nearly scraped the pavement – opened a gap to next in line Miller. Karen Hogan (Team Kappius), Kristal Bonai (Rapid Racing), and Weber followed.
Now on course, Duke found the rhythm that had been napping inside of her.
Nicole Duke on the Colorado state championship course run-up at Cross of the North
On the opposite side of the hill from the run-up and more than half-way through the first lap, Duke led Miller by fifteen seconds. Eight seconds later Hogan pursued alone, though Bonai kept her close. Weber held fifth. Duke claimed the $135 run-up prize.
The top four in the first lap would finish in the same positions. Weber lost a place or two early on, experiencing some difficulty riding through a tight turn that had been added after Saturday’s racing, just before the run-up. She called riding that turn the second time through a mistake; by lap three she realized she could make better time by running through it.
Duke had stretched her lead to about thirty-five seconds as she tackled the run-up for the second time. The expression on Miller’s face appeared to be one of resignation to second. Eight minutes later in lap three race announcer Larry Grossman said, “I think if we put square wheels on Nicole Duke’s bike right now she’d still win.”
Judy Freeman ahead of Rebecca Gross in turn before the run-up at States
Miller continued to hold off Hogan, gaining time during the final laps. Bonai continued her strong ride in fourth. Behind Bonai, Rebecca Gross (Tough Girl Cycling) and Judy Freeman fought for fifth, a battle Freeman won by the end of the race.
Melissa Barker (GS Boulder / The Trek Store), who gained position over Weber during the first lap, earned seventh. Kate Powlison (Panache Cyclewear – Horizon Organic), the recent overall winner of the Boulder Cyclocross Series, moved up during the race and threatened Weber’s place.
But Weber held on to finish in front of Powlison for eighth, high enough to maintain her grasp on the Colorado Cross Cup.
Karen Hogan claims third place at 2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships
After the race Weber called her Cross Cup victory “icing on the cake.” The third place performance by local racer Hogan seemed to captivate her more. “Karen Hogan getting third is outstanding. She is an inspiration to me as a fellow mom of three,” Weber said. Hogan, whose cyclocross racing age is 48, entered the race following a winning streak at local events.
When asked if she had expected to finish as well as third, Hogan replied emphatically, “No. Not at all…I’m really happy with third with this group. So a good day for me. I felt good. The course was awesome. Great equipment. My mechanic (husband Mike Hogan) was awesome.”
The new champion Duke also described her race. “I thought I wasn’t feeling well, but when I took off and realized I was gaining a lot in every corner, I realized it was my course. I was able to really carry my speed through all the corners and it was pretty technical. There was some good rest for me which I typically need because I’m more of a burst rider and it just suited me and I realized I had that and I just kept ticking it off, every corner trying to gain a few more seconds.”
At the podium presentation Duke wore her third state cyclocross champion jersey vest proudly. Her daughter looked on, a front row fan.
Nicole Duke becomes three-time Colorado State Cyclocross Champion
2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships, women’s open race top ten
| 1 | Nicole Duke, Alchemy Bicycle Company | 40:35 |
| 2 | Meredith Miller, Cal Giant Berry Farms / Specialized | 41:21 |
| 3 | Karen Hogan, Team Kappius | 41:47 |
| 4 | Kristal Boni, Rapid Racing | 42:05 |
| 5 | Judy Freeman | 42:07 |
| 6 | Rebecca Gross, Tough Girl Cycling | 42:23 |
| 7 | Melissa Barker, GS Boulder / The Trek Store | 43:22 |
| 8 | Kristin Weber, Boulder Cycle Sport | 43:35 |
| 9 | Kate Powlison, Panache Cyclewear | 43:43 |
| 10 | Ksenia Lepikhina, Boulder Jr. Cycling | 43:46 |
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Gallery
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- Junior Ksenia Lepikhina placed 10th at 2012 States
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- Judy Freeman ahead of Rebecca Gross in turn before the run-up at States
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- Nicole Duke’s Alchemy bike, made in Denver, Colorado
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- Nicole Duke on the Colorado state championship course run-up at Cross of the North
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- Mike Hogan pins on Karen Hogan’s race number
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- By the first turn Nicole Duke is already gone, chased by Meredith Miller
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- Kristal Bonai finished fourth at the 2012 CO State Cyclocross Champs
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- Nicole Duke with her son and daughter pre-race
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- Kristin Weber chasing in lap 2 to keep her Colorado Cross Cup lead, at 2012 States
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- Nicole Duke, hammer down at 2012 States
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- Front row support, women’s open race line-up for 2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships
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- Karen Hogan claims third place at 2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships
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- Member of Nicole Duke’s support crew
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- Kate Powlison followed by Lara Kroepsch, lap one at 2012 States
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- Flag bearer
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- Nicole Duke becomes three-time Colorado State Cyclocross Champion
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- Nicole Duke’s Alchemy bike, built to her specifications with a rigid front end and a bit of give in the rear of the frame
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- Ashley Zoerner (background), Junior 13-14 Colorado state champion, was lapped in the women’s open race
[updated 12/17/2012]
Twenty-one hopeful riders in the Junior men 15-16 category took the start for the 2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships. They all worked hard to get there. Most know what it’s like to win.
Junior men 15-16 start at 2012 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships
Gage Hecht (International Christian Cycling Club) led the group into the first lap. The others chased.
Liam Dunn and and Eric Brunner on the run-up at Cross of the North
But after those first few turns they never made contact with the multi-national champion.
Gage Hecht negotiates a corner
Mechanical problems have forced Hecht to change bikes many times this season, but this day everything clicked perfectly.
Hecht passes his pit crew, Bruce Hecht, without stopping
Gage Hecht won with a minute’s lead over second place Liam Dunn (Clif Bar Development Team), unless you count Bart Simpson who beat Hecht by a nose.
Gage Hecht, 2012 Junior men 15-16 Colorado State Cyclocross Champion
(finish line photo courtesy of Shawn Curry, Green Curry Photography)
2012 Colorado State Cross champs Junior 15-16 podium (l – r) Cade Bickmore 3rd, Gage Hecht 1st, Liam Dunn 2nd
2012 Junior men 17-18 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships podium (l – r) Ian McPherson 3rd, Maxx Chance 1st, Garrett Gerchar 2nd
[updated 12/16/2012]
Maxx Chance has earned so much state championship attire, he probably needs a separate closet in which to store it all. Today he added another vest when he became the Colorado State Cyclocross Champion in the Junior 17-18 category at Cross of the North in Loveland.
Maxx Chance wins the 2012 Junior 17-18 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships
Chance, a Clif Bar Development Cyclocross Team rider, just returned home to Boulder as the final overall Junior 17-18 points leader for this season’s U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross after second and third place results at the Deschutes Brewery Cup in Bend, Oregon.
Garrett Gerchar (Boulder Junior Cycling) and Chance rode off the front for most of today’s state championship race. In a flat-out push on the last straight-away just before the finish line, Gerchar clipped out of a pedal and lost a few bike lengths to Chance.
Like Chance, Gerchar enjoyed second and third place results in Bend. The Clif Bar Development Cyclocross Team took notice.
Garrett Gerchar floats ahead of Maxx Chance in a bumpy section of the Colorado Championship course
Chance said today that he and teammates Ian McPherson and Spencer Downing are heading to Belgium with Mitch Hoke, a Team Clif Bar rider who also directs the development team. Gerchar will join them. “Garrett [Gerchar] was doing really well in Bend so we extended an invitation to him,” Chance said.
Current plans call for Gerchar and the Clif Bar Cyclocross Development guys to stay in Oudenaarde in Belgium and compete in five or six races. Chance and Downing are scheduled to contest the World Cup event in Zolder, Belgium. The remaining races are expected to be local or Superprestige contests.
This will be Chance’s first trip to Europe. “I can’t wait to race against the Belgians,” he wrote in a note regarding how he feels about the upcoming races in Belgium. “I know what it is like racing here in the states and who the big guys are, but in Europe it is a whole new world. I have only heard stories about European races and hope the trip and races live up to the grand stories I have been told about them.”
Gerchar and Chance crossed the finish line with the first and second place Junior 17-18 women, Laurel Rathbun (Hammer) and Kirsten Williams (Natural Grocers).
2012 Junior women 17-18 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships (l – r) Katie Clouse 3rd, Laurel Rathbun 1st, Kirsten Williams 2nd
Find full results for the Junior 17-18 men and women here.
Gallery
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- Junior men 17-18 fast starters
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- Maxx Chance, Mike Dessau, and Ian McPherson in “King of the Hill”
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- Maxx Chance wins the 2012 Junior 17-18 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships
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- Laurel Rathbun is the new Junior women’s 17 – 18 Colorado State Cyclocross Champion
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- Some birds held off flying south to see Cross of the North
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- Garrett Gerchar floats ahead of Maxx Chance in a bumpy section of the CO State champs course
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- Nevin Whittemore chases Mike Dessau in the Junior 17-18 race
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- 2012 Junior men 17-18 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships podium (l – r) Ian McPherson 3rd, Maxx Chance 1st, Garrett Gerchar 2nd
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- Maxx Chance’s turn at the front, Garrett Gerchar chasing
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- Laurel Rathbun on course at Cross of the North
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- Maxx Chance chasing Garrett Gerchar at Cross of the North
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- Geocaching at Cross of the North?
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- Mismatched nails are good luck for Laurel Rathbun
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- 2012 Junior women 17-18 Colorado State Cyclocross Championships (l – r) Katie Clouse 3rd, Laurel Rathbun 1st, Kirsten Williams 2nd
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“You’ve trained like a Pro, now get treated like one.”
Pro Bike Express and Snyder Cycling Services team up to service ‘cross riders
The concept occurred to Chandler Snyder and Wesley Smith at the start of the current cyclocross season. These two guys knew that the many, very serious amateur cyclocross racers along the Front Range in Colorado take their ‘cross racing very seriously. But they began to notice that while they train hard and spend lots of cash on bikes, equipment, clothing, and coaches, they sold themselves short when it came to support at races.
So Smith and Snyder combined their services to create Pro Bike Express and Snyder Cycling Services presents Cyclocross Nationals and Worlds, a bike transportation and on-site multi-support operation. Support includes a tent with trainers and chairs to warm-up or prepare prior to a race, as well as package and à la carte mechanical services provided by Snyder.
By last weekend thirty clients had engaged the operation for ‘cross Nationals in Madison and twenty for World Championships in Louisville. At the time of this story, Smith and Snyder are overbooked for transportation to Worlds and adding an additional truck to their existing van with an internal mounting system that accomodates fifty-two bikes.
Chandler Snyder explains the transport van set-up
The business isn’t limited to these two events. It will serve clients at races anywhere in the continental U.S. as long as the client list reaches at least twelve. The founders aren’t aware of a similar combined transportation and support service.
Currently transportation is $225 for the first bike with an additional $50 for a pit bike. Mechanic’s support is priced at $200 for a week or à la carte by service. For additional and updated information, see Snyder Cycling Services online (http://snydercyclingservices.com/CX-Nats-Worlds-support).
Boulder Cyclocross Series race 5 men’s open podium: (l – r) Chris Case 5th, Ken Benesh 2nd, Russell Stevenson 1st, Pete Webber 3rd, Brandon Dwight 4th
[updated 12/11/2012]
While deep gray storm clouds threatened to spring over the foothills and dump snow on the final 2012 Boulder Cyclocross Series men’s open race, two among the twenty-eight starters tracing the edge of Boulder Reservoir generated human-powered storms that swamped their rivals.
Russell Stevenson, like a hurricane drawing strength from nearby water, opened a gap early on the sandy circuit that included dirt and pavement sections; the Boulder Cycle Sport rider methodically stretched out his lead until it measured sixty-seven seconds when he finished first.
Spencer Powlison on the east end of the Boulder Cyclocross Series race 5 course
Ken Benesh of Feedback Sports surged mid-way through the race to shake off his chase group mates and earn second place. With double points on offer at this fifth race, Benesh’s effort launched him from fourth to overall leader in the series competition. Spencer Powlison (Evol Elite p/b Pharmaca), who didn’t have a good day, lost the series lead and dropped into second place.
Race action
Tim Allen (Feedback Sports) won the pavement sprint for the holeshot. Almost immediately Stevenson set his plan to lead early in motion. He called the first U-turn “a separator,” and aimed to be the first around it. “…there’s always really one line through those sand pits, and if you’re behind someone that doesn’t have it dialed then you’re off your bike and you’re losing time,” he explained after the race. “Literally I had ten seconds coming out of that U-turn…
Tim Allen wins men’s open holeshot at Boulder Reservoir
“If you can ride clean lines through all that sand and just ride your own speed, you just gain and gain and gain,” Stevenson said. “That’s what technical courses do. You just have to lead and be confident in your lines.”
By the end of lap one Stevenson had built that ten second lead to about twenty-five seconds. His lead grew to 40 seconds after lap three.
A big group consisting of Stevenson’s teammates Brandon Dwight, Pete Webber, and Doug Schuler, together with Colby Pearce (Panache Cyclewear – Horizon Organic), Powlison and his Evol teammate Josh Whitney, Benesh and teammates Chris Case and Allen, and Michael Robson (Moots), initially pursued Stevenson. This set of riders broke up by the end of lap two, resulting in a select chase group of Dwight, Webber, Benesh, and Whitney which became three after Whitney fell off the pace. Behind them gaps separated the riders. Powlison rode alone, as did Gage Hecht (International Christian Cycling Club).
Hecht started the race in third position in the overall series. For a good portion of the race he rode in a no-man’s land between the leaders and riders further back who progressed solo or in small groups. Hecht’s support crew said later that he struggled with several mechanical problems, one of which left him crushing only his big chainring for two laps. Three juniors anchored the very back of the field: Adin Baird who would pull out of the race, and then Cade Bickmore and Eric Brunner of Boulder Junior Cycling.
Benesh made his move with four laps remaining. After the race he said, “I shouldn’t have sat in with those Boulder Cycle Sport guys for as long as I did…[Stevenson] just kept pulling [away]. I should have made my move sooner…but I didn’t think I ever really had a chance to reel him in.”
No matter. By jettisoning Dwight and Webber, Benesh leapt three places in the series standings. He later said he benefited from a circuit that he called a “power course,” which he rode “just constant on all the way.” Then he added, “A lot of the guys are a lot stronger with punchy kind of stuff…I’m strongest where there is just no recovery and I keep churning all the way through.”
Gage Hecht rides the sand at Boulder Reservoir
Through the last half of the race the top ten pretty much settled into lonely fights to the finish as what little light filtered through the clouds faded.
Earlier in the day kite surfers took advantage of the wind to skip along the reservoir. Perhaps more than one rider longed for a sail to carry him over the sand – except maybe for Hecht; he rode the sandy run-up to the concession building.
Just after the race the promoter identified Hecht as third in the final series standings; however race results posted online indicate Whitney, who role well at race 5 and finished seventh, ended third overall with one point more than Hecht.
States on the horizon
After he crossed the finish line first, Stevenson said he’ll be at the Colorado State championships the weekend of December 15th. When asked about his preparation during the coming week, he said, “Probably the same thing I do every week. A little Wednesday ‘cross, maybe a little dirt road riding Tuesday or Thursday. That’s about it. Not a lot.”
Russell Stevenson wins 5th 2012 Boulder Cyclocross Series race
Stevenson moved to Boulder in late 2011, has been racing ‘cross since 1998, and is a multiple former Washington State cyclocross champion. He weighs in as a favorite at the Colorado State championships.
As for Powlison, he attributed his sixth place finish to not warming up sufficiently prior to the start. “The effort felt terrible,” he said post-race. “It was super frustrating. I felt really pretty good the last three laps. I should have felt like that the whole race…”
Neither Powlison nor Benesh can be counted out for a States podium result. It should be a great contest.
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Boulder Cyclocross Series Race #5, Men’s open race top ten
| 1 | Russell Stevenson, Boulder Cycle Sport | 46:03 |
| 2 | Ken Benesh, Feedback Sports | 47:10 |
| 3 | Pete Webber, Boulder Cycle Sport | 47:22 |
| 4 | Brandon Dwight, Boulder Cycle Sport | 47:31 |
| 5 | Chris Case, Feedback Sports | 47:46 |
| 6 | Spencer Powlison, Evol Elite p/b Pharmaca | 47:55 |
| 7 | Josh Whitney, Evol Elite p/b Pharmaca | 48:14 |
| 8 | Colby Pearce, Panache Cyclewear – Horizon Organic | 48:19 |
| 9 | Michael Robson, Moots | 48:47 |
| 10 | Michael Burleigh, Primal Racing – First Bank | 49:41 |
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Gallery with Cat 3 and 4 photos
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- Tim Allen slides in a dodgy corner at Boulder Cyclocross Series race 5
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- Boulder Cyclocross Series race 5 men’s open podium: (l – r) Chris Case 5th, Ken Benesh 2nd, Russell Stevenson 1st, Pete Webber 3rd, Brandon Dwight 4th
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- Spencer Powlison on the east end of the Boulder Cyclocross Series race 5 course
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- Cade Bickmore alone in a sea of tape
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- Bottle handup to Cassidy Bailey in cat 3 race at Boulder Reservoir
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- Waves lap at Gage Hecht’s wheels at Boulder Reservoir
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- Junior power: Cade Bickmore leads Eric Brunner along Boulder Reservoir
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- Gage Hecht rides the sand at Boulder Reservoir
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- Tim Allen wins men’s open holeshot at Boulder Reservoir
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- Russell Stevenson wins 5th 2012 Boulder Cyclocross Series race
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- Brandon Dwight leads Ken Benesh and Tim Allen early in BCS race 5
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- Eric Brunner finished the final BCS men’s open race; his cross racing age is 15
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- Uphill during cat 3 and single speed races at BCS race 5
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- Tangle at U-turn in cat 3 race
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- Colby Pearce
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- Kite surfers during BCS race 5
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- Ben Hogan on his way to winning the cat 4 contest
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- U-turn early in men’s open race at Boulder Reservoir, Russell Stevenson leading
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- Spencer Powlison fights forward
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- Keegan Sotebeer, winner of cat 3 race; Liam Dunn follows
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- Liam Dunn at Boulder Cyclocross Series race 5
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- Into Boulder Reservoir, men’s 3 race
Karen Hogan on a sandy run-up
Speed and steadiness both won along the sandy shores of Boulder Reservoir at the fifth and last women’s open race in the 2012 Boulder Cyclocross Series on Saturday.
Kate Powlison of Panache Cyclewear – Horizon Organic needed just another consistently strong performance to hold onto the series lead, while a win for Karen Hogan (Team Kappius) would confirm the former masters national champion’s ability to outpace top riders in an open race.
Kate Powlison after a U-turn at Boulder Reservoir
Riders hopped up and down at the start line to stay warm. Powlison felt nervous as she prepared to defend the series lead. Kristin Weber (Boulder Cycle Sport) ranked second in the series, just ten points behind her, and race five would deliver double points.
But Powlison came with a plan that she described after the race. “I knew I couldn’t finish more than three spots behind her [Weber], so today I was just not wanting to make mistakes…”
Race action
Weber raised the ante immediately by winning the holeshot. The course quickly took the women onto the reservoir shore and around two of the several dicey, sandy corners that took many riders down and challenged even the best during the day’s racing.
A corner claimed Rebecca Gross (Tough Girl Cycling), last week’s dominant Castle Cross winner. “I was going to try to go hard on the first lap,” she said later, “but I kind of got a little ahead of myself and went into a corner and didn’t get on my brakes in time.” She called the ensuing tumble a mistake, one she might have avoided with more pre-riding.
Next the leaders dug into a long, sandy run-up to the concession building’s stairs. Lara Kroepsch of Boo Bicycles led, followed by Weber, Hogan, Gross, Kristal Boni of Rapid Racing, and Powlison. After crossing one of the building’s decks the riders negotiated the sandy downhill portion adjacent to the run-up before turning back along the reservoir shore and out to the eastern portion of the circuit.
Hogan passed Weber. Weber passed Hogan. That’s when another corner became decisive.
Hogan later explained that after she and Weber swapped places, “…then I made a break right in kind of a sandy corner and it seemed to open up a little bit of a gap so I just went with it.” She doesn’t consider herself a fast starter, she said, “so I have to be patient with myself and hope that that break happens and then try to gain on any time that I do get, and that seems to be working out this season.”
The course turned back on itself by rising up a hill and continued on alternating pavement, dirt, and sand to the finish area.
As the leaders crossed the finish line after lap one, Hogan rode in first position with Weber close behind and then a small gap to Gross. Powlison, Boni, and Kroepsch chased into the steady wind out of the west that continued for most of the afternoon. The wind drove waves onto the shoreline and in places loosened the track earlier racers had established at the water’s edge.
Hogan sped over the finish line to close out lap two with a lead of just under twenty seconds over Gross. By now the strongest riders found separation between them. Weber arrived ten seconds later in third position. Boni passed the line next, with Powlison in fifth. Powlison rode in fourth or fifth position for nearly the entire race, her eyes trained on Weber’s black and orange kit.
The next time they crossed the line the leaders maintained their positions but the gaps between them had stretched out. In the fourth and last lap Powlison moved up into fourth place ahead of Boni.
The contest ended with Hogan winning by thirty-two seconds over Gross. Weber arrived twenty-eight seconds later. Powlison landed fourth, just one place behind Weber.
Powlison’s joy at clinching the series title was unmistakable. She had been nervous at the start line, she said, “Because I think there is a decent amount of money – I don’t race for money but I want to go Christmas shopping.” The overall series prizes for the women’s open totaled $600 for the top seven riders.
2012 Boulder Cross Series women’s open series winners (l – r) Kristin Weber 2nd, Kate Powlison 1st, Kristal Boni 3rd, Melissa Barker 4th, Breeze Brown 5th
Hogan shows her open race strength
After the race Hogan shared how she felt about the day’s results. “Great. I haven’t been winning since…I don’t know, last week may have been the first or second time I’ve won an open race so this is all pretty new. It’s fun, I love it.” She began to laugh as she continued, “I’m actually asking my legs to do something and they’re actually responding.” Her cyclocross racing age is 48.
Double winners: Karen Hogan congratulates son Ben
Hogan, who is a former national champion in mountain biking and cyclocross, won the women’s open race the previous week at CycloX-Louisville and in November at CycloX-Sienna Lake. She elevated her open race win count to four on Sunday at the Green Mountain Sports CX at Lookout in twenty degree cold.
It’s hard to say what stoked Hogan more on Sunday. It could have been confidence from Saturday’s win or joy over her son Ben’s category 4 victory just hours after she raised her arms on the top step of the podium at Boulder Reservoir.
Boulder Cyclocross Series Race #5, Women’s open race top ten
| 1 | Karen Hogan, Team Kappius | 38:07 |
| 2 | Rebecca Gross, Tough Girl Cycling | 38:39 |
| 3 | Kristin Weber, Boulder Cycle Sport | 39:07 |
| 4 | Kate Powlison, Panache Cyclewear | 39:23 |
| 5 | Kristal Boni, Rapid Racing | 39:41 |
| 6 | Melissa Barker, GS Boulder / The Trek Store | 40:38 |
| 7 | Lara Kroepsch, Boo Bicycles | 40:45 |
| 8 | Ksenia Lepikhina, Boulder Jr. Cycling | 40:57 |
| 9 | Jessica D’Amato, Evol Elite p/b Pharmaca | 42:00 |
| 10 | Tara Vesella | 42:31 |
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2012 Boulder Cyclocross Series race 5 women’s open podium (l – r) Rebecca Gross 2nd, Karen Hogan 1st, Kristin Weber 3rd
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Gallery
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- Kristal Boni chases Kate Powlison into the eastern side of the course
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- Kate Powlison after a U-turn at Boulder Reservoir
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- Lara Kroepsch heads away from Boulder Reservoir after barriers
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- Boulder Cyclocross Series race 5 women’s open podium (l – r) Rebecca Gross 2nd, Karen Hogan 1st, Kristin Weber 3rd
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- Double winners: Karen Hogan congratulates son Ben on his cat 4 win
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- Karen Hogan on a sandy run-up
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- Taking advantage of Saturday’s wind at Boulder Reservoir
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- Kristin Weber racing back to finish area
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- Kristal Boni
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- Rebecca Gross on the run up to the concession building
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- 2012 Boulder Cyclocross Series women’s open series winners (l – r) Kristin Weber 2nd, Kate Powlison 1st, Kristal Boni 3rd, Melissa Barker 4th, Breeze Brown 5th
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- Kristin Weber congratulates Kate Powlison on the series victory
The 2012 Castle Cross men’s open race on December 2nd stands out as one of the most dynamic Denver / Boulder area cyclocross races this season.
A mechanical distanced a favorite from the podium, likely ruining his chances to wrap his hands around the Colorado Cross Cup trophy at the end of the season. Another guy’s winning streak ended. One junior proved he can out-race more seniors than he thought possible, while a consistently top junior ace came in next to last.
The only predictable outcome was Danny Summerhill’s win.
Danny Summerhill wins 2012 Castle Cross
Men’s race action
After the gun the field began an heavy uphill sprint along the road until the first turn onto dirt to enter Rhyolite Park. Russell Stevenson of Boulder Cycle Sport appeared to take the right-hander first with Summerhill (Chipotle – First Solar) on his wheel and Spencer Powlison of Evol Elite Racing p/b Pharmaca right behind. Others in the mix at the front included Brett Pirie (Groove Subaru-Alpha Bicycle Co.), Brandon Dwight of Boulder Cycle Sport, Erik Hamilton (University Bicycles), Zane Godby (Clif Bar), Ken Benesh (Feedback Sports), and Pete Webber (Boulder Cycle Sport).
Into lap two Stevenson, Summerhill, and Powlison in that order rode as a tight threesome. By lap three Summerhill had taken the lead in this front group. Tim Allen of Feedback Sports made contact with them and built a gap into Dwight of about five bike lengths near the barriers on the backside of the course. A group consisting of Chris Case (Feedback Sports), Benesh, Godby, and Garrett Gerchar (Tokyo Joe’s) pursued Dwight and Allen.
With five laps to go Powlison disappeared from the front of the race. He rolled a tire not far from the pits and almost didn’t stop because the tire had bulged out and while it hit the fork he could still ride. In the pits, and distraught, he threw his wheels.
“I was kind of panicky,” Powlison said. “It’s not a good feeling to roll into the pit when you’re riding top four or top three, trying to fix whatever’s going on…” The wheel change – he doesn’t have a pit bike – added an emotional minute to his lap time and cost him a place on the podium.
Garrett Gerchar takes control of the chase
Meanwhile Gerchar, who’s cyclocross racing age is 17, took charge of the chase group of four that solidified behind Summerhill and Stevenson.
Gerchar later explained that about mid-race he usually sets his sights on a rider he wants to best. But before Castle Cross he’d already singled out Allen as his carrot for the day.
Allen recounted Gerchar’s move as the two caught their breath after the finish line: “I pretty much felt like I was standing still on the run-up over there. This dude [Gerchar] just came out of nowhere and just lit it up. Passed the other guys in front of me, Chris Case and Pete Webber. Rode off the front of that group…”
While the showdown in the chase group developed, Summerhill continued to build his lead over Stevenson who rode alone in second. At the finish Summerhill won over Stevenson by eighteen seconds. Webber attacked the chase group on the last lap and snatched third, eight seconds ahead of fourth placed Case. Gerchar finished fifth, thirteen seconds ahead of Allen.
Stevenson’s second place result broke his string of four wins but sealed his grip on the Colorado Cross Cup; he now leads by 40 points over second place Powlison.
Gage Hecht, who dropped a chain during the race and had been ill during Saturday’s event the day before, finished next to last. Adin Baird, a junior whose racing age is 16, hung on to finish the race and came in last.
Rebecca Gross, victory at 2012 Castle Cross in sight
Women’s race highlights
Rebecca Gross of Tough Girl Cycling quickly opened a gap and dominated the women’s open race to its completion. Kate Powlison (Panache Cyclewear) and Kristin Weber (Boulder Cycle Sport) chased close behind, followed by riders strung out solo or in small groups.
Kristal Boni of Rapid Racing moved up as the laps ticked off and finished a strong second 44 seconds after Gross. Weber kept Boni in sight and came in third with Laurel Rathbun (Front Rangers Junior Cycling) fourth. Powlison did not finish the race.
Gross has celebrated a series of seconds and a first place in the past few weeks. She owns third in the women’s Colorado Cross Cup competition; Boni claims first with a 51 point lead over Weber who is second.
Rhyolite Park course design
The riders faced-off on a flowing course with a steep short stair section, two sets of barriers, and a steep run-up linked together by several straight-aways and a mixture of wide and hairpin turns.
The dry course and its design favored power over finesse, but off-camber loose downhills and grassy sections required a good dose of the latter. The course layout allowed spectators and rider support staff to view large portions of the course from several vantage points on its western edge.
Peter Webber, third place finisher in the men’s open race, has assisted with course design at this venue for the past two years. Webber said John Haley of Castle Rock designed and built the course. Haley has labored over those straight and sinuous spaces between tape and stakes at Rhyolite Park for the past 3 years; he spent about 100 hours creating the course for the 2012 Castle Cross event.
Webber cited changes made for 2012, namely more robust course marking which included “Belgian-style wooden posts on the key sections of the course,” snow and steel fencing, and extra stakes and tape. “It was a perfect example of how a course should be marked and only the USGP or Boulder Cup are at the same level,” Webber said. “It really creates a better race experience for everyone.” Webber also had a hand in setting up the bike park which cuts across the western hill slope and intersected portions of the Castle Cross course.
Rhyolite Park sits in a basin near the town of Castle Rock, Colorado with a hill on the west side. It’s named after a type of rock that, according to a sign in the park, traveled to the environs in an ash cloud 36 million years ago from a volcanic eruption 100 miles away.
2012 Castle Cross men’s open race top ten
| 1 | Danny Summerhill, Chipotle – First Solar | 57:39 |
| 2 | Russell Stevenson, Boulder Cycle Sport | 57:57 |
| 3 | Pete Webber, Boulder Cycle Sport | 58:19 |
| 4 | Chris Case, Feedback Sports | 58:27 |
| 5 | Garrett Gerchar, Boulder Junior Cycling | 58:30 |
| 6 | Tim Allen, Feedback Sports | 58:43 |
| 7 | Ken Benesh, Feedback Sports | 58:54 |
| 8 | Brandon Dwight, Boulder Cycle Sport | 59:03 |
| 9 | Zane Godby, Clif Bar Cyclocross Development Team | 59:48 |
| 10 | Spencer Powlison, Evol Elite p/b Pharmaca | 60:25 |
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2012 Castle Cross women’s open race top ten
| 1 | Rebecca Gross, Tough Girl Cycling | 42:31 |
| 2 | Kristal Boni, Rapid Racing | 43:15 |
| 3 | Kristin Weber, Boulder Cycle Sport | 43:22 |
| 4 | Laurel Rathbun, Front Rangers Junior Cycling | 43:29 |
| 5 | Katie Clouse, Cole Sport | 43:34 |
| 6 | Margell Abel, Tough Girl Cycling | 43:43 |
| 7 | Lisa Hudson, Feedback Sports | 44:12 |
| 8 | Ksenia Lepikhina, Boulder Jr. Cycling | 45:01 |
| 9 | Jessica D’Amato, Evol Elite p/b Pharmaca | 45:53 |
| 10 | Brittany Jones, Naked Women’s Racing | 46:08 |
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Gallery
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- First turn in men’s open contest, 2012 Castle Cross
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- Garrett Gerchar takes control of the men’s open chase
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- Castle Cross mug prize
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- Groove Subaru brigade in SM 3 at Castle Cross
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- Gage Hecht at the uphill barriers
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- Nevin Whittemore sprints to first in cat 3 race, Chris Key second
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- Bruce Hecht salutes son at finish
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- Rebecca Gross, victory at 2012 Castle Cross in sight
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- Danny Summerhill wins 2012 Castle Cross
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- Have beer will travel
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- Cheering for brother
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- Adin Baird rides the Castle Cross run up
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- “Zane, will you do this in the race?” Laughing, he says “No.”
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- Castle Cross run-up
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- Zane Godby on Rhyolite Park off camber downhill
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- Upper barriers lap 1 of Castle Cross
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- Tim Allen stomping on a straight-away
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- Bacon hand-up at Castle Cross
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- Danny Summerhill exits lower portion of course
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- Danny Summerhill at lower barriers in Castle Cross
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- Castle Cross stairs with view into Rhyolite Park
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- Stair garland
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- Spencer Powlison warms-up on rollers
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- Rhyolite rock history
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- Kristal Boni leaves lower section of the course
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- Kristin Weber leads Ksenia Lepikhina and Katie Clouse
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- Kristin Weber finished 3rd at Castle Cross
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- Laurel Rathbun with nail color collage, finished 4th
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- Lisa Hudson finished 7th at Castle Cross
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- Men’s open podium (l – r) 5th Garrett Gerchar, 3rd Pete Webber, 1st Danny Summerhill, 2nd Russell Stevenson, 4th Chris Case
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- Pete Webber on off-camber downhill
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- Katie Clouse after the run-up at Castle Cross
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- Castle Cross men’s 3 podium (l – r) 3rd Liam Dunn, 1st Nevin Whittemore, 2nd Chris Key
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- 2012 Castle Cross clean-up crew
Javier Megias leads a break-away at the 2012 Tour of the Gila
[updated 12/5/2012]
Today on its website the Danish-based pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk announced a partnership with the previously named Team Type 1 founded in 2005 and most recently sponsored by SANOFI. According to the announcement Team Novo Nordisk compromises the entire array of athletes in the organization, “a global sports team with more than 100 cyclists, triathletes and runners who all have diabetes, spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes pro-cycling team.”
The press release goes on to say the team “will use life experiences and competitiveness to motivate people affected by diabetes. Throughout 2013, these athletes will compete in more than 500 sporting competitions around the world. The men’s pro-cycling team will compete in races such as the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, the Tour of Britain and the Paris-Tours, with the ultimate goal of joining the Tour de France.
“The new Team Novo Nordisk will only comprise of athletes who have diabetes and will continue to grow the team mission ‘to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes.’”
Phil Southerland
Phil Southerland, co-founder of Team Type 1 together with Joe Eldridge, said of the new partnership, “As Team Novo Nordisk we want to show the world what is possible with great diabetes control. Between us, Team Novo Nordisk has over 1,000 diagnosed years of diabetes with no complications and we stand for what life with diabetes can be like. Exercise is that billion dollar drug that nobody ever gets prescribed, and in my experience is the best of them all. With appropriate diet, exercise, treatment and technology, anyone with diabetes can achieve their dreams.”
Recruiting new riders with diabetes
Last week the UCI confirmed then-named Team Type 1’s pro-continental status for 2013. Information available on the internet appeared to signal the team’s intention to enter the year with more riders who have diabetes.
Team Type 1 had recently put up a page on the team’s website that read, “Team Type 1-Sanofi seeks active elite cyclists with diabetes for possible inclusion in our USA-based race squad…We currently have six cyclists with type 1 diabetes on our men’s professional squad and are seeking to expand in 2013.” This page is no longer available as a new website is under construction.
The text continued with an invitation for “elite level competitive road cyclists between the ages of 16 and 29 with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, however recent or old” to forward a resume to the team.
By late November cycling media outlets had already reported the pro-conti team added at least three riders with diabetes for the 2013 season.
Velochrono lists on its transfers page four additions to “Team Type 1-SANOFI” for 2013. This includes Belgian Kevin de Mesmaeker of the Van Der Vurst Cycling Team who according to Cyclism’Actu, citing Het Nieuwsblad, was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Two riders of the four, Andrea Ciacchini and Thomas Raeymaekers, rode on the Team Type 1-SANOFI development team in 2012. Ciacchini has Type 1 diabetes. While ProVéloPassion has not confirmed that Raeymaekers has diabetes, it’s likely since the goal of the development team has been to groom diabetic riders. Andrea Peron is the fourth rider on Velochrono’s list, and a Cyclism’Actu report indicates the Italian rider who rode for Cyber Team V.c. Breganze has Type 1. The team has not confirmed the status of these riders but a report by Cyclingnews listed 17 riders for the 2013 roster.
At least thirteen of the team’s 23-man 2012 roster have been identified as leaving the team after 2012; none of these riders has diabetes. The previous Team Type 1-SANOFI website listed five riders from the 2012 roster as having diabetes. They are: Fabio Calabria, Joe Eldridge, Javier Megias, Alex Bowden and Martijn Verschoor.
Team Novo Nordisk roster for 2013 according to Cyclingnews: Fabio Calabria (Aus), Andrea Ciacchini (Ita), Stephen Clancy (Irl), Paolo Cravanzola (Ita), Joe Eldridge (USA), Joonas Henttala (Fin), Javier Megias Leal (Spa), Kevin De Mesmaeker (Bel), Justin Morris (Aus), Andrea Peron (Ita), Aaron Perry (NZl), Thomas Raeymaekers (Bel), David Lozano Riba (Spa), Branden Russell (USA), Andrei Strelkov (Rus), Chris Williams (Aus), Martijn Verschoor (Ned).
Cravanzola, Morris, and Russell rode for the Team Type 1 development team during the 2012 season, in addition to Ciacchini and Raeymaekers.
Social media links for the new Team Novo Nordisk:
www.twitter.com/teamnovonordisk
www.facebook.com/teamnovonordisk
Team Type 1 Elite Team earned a solo victory (Kerry White, far right) and second in the five-man team race at the 2012 24 Hours of Moab
2012 Castle Cross single speed podium, l – r: Mitch Westall 3rd, Brady Kappius 1st, William Iaia 2nd
[updated 12/3/2012]
For Brady Kappius 42 by 16 is magic; so is Rhyolite Regional Park where his feet have touched the top step of the podium the last two times he’s visited there with single speed gearing.
In December 2011 he battled Jesse Swift (Gates Carbon Drive) at Rhyolite to become the Colorado state cyclocross single speed champion. Yesterday Kappius, who rides for Clif Bar, fought off William Iaia (Groove Subaru – Alpha Bicycle Co.) and Mitch Westall (Gates Carbon Drive) over six laps and 46 minutes to win the single speed race at Castle Cross on a different course at Rhyolite, which is in Castle Rock, Colorado. Westall specializes in single speed and has earned multiple podiums this season. Iaia has contested single speed and open races and stacked up several wins.
Castle Cross was Kappius’ first single speed competition this season. “It feels good to get back out on it,” he said after the race, which functioned as a litmus test of sorts as Kappius plans to again take on the single speed race at USA Cycling Cyclo-cross Nationals in January. He finished fifth last year.
Kappius described 42 by 16 as a “magic gear” for the normal cross frame he raced on instead of a single speed frame. Single speed frame dropouts slide so the chain’s tension will be correct no matter the gear; the rider can rely on a snug chain that won’t bounce off. With a normal cross frame getting the right chain tension can require a chain tensioner. But with 42 by 16, Kappius said, “The chain’s just the perfect length for this gear without a tensioning system.”
The riders faced-off on a flowing course with a steep short stair section, two sets of barriers, and a steep run-up linked together by several straight-aways and a mixture of wide and hairpin turns. The dry course and its design favored power over finesse, but off-camber loose downhills and grassy sections required a good dose of the latter.
After the gun Kappius moved around the outside of the pack and achieved position near the front. Westall, Iaia, and Kappius established control over the race early on, with Westall riding at the front. Kappius pulled away in the final laps, a handful of cat 3’s in his wake, and built a lead of about fifteen seconds. Iaia didn’t let up; by the finish line he’d whittled down Kappius’ lead to barely two seconds, enough time for the Clif Bar rider to enjoy a victory salute.
Brady Kappius wins 2012 Castle Cross single speed contest
Colorado state championships take place the weekend of December 15th in Loveland. This year both the single speed and open race occur on the same day. That’s a bummer for Kappius who would like to race both, though said he will likely enter only the open race. But now that the single speed magic has returned, it would not be surprising if Kappius decided to flourish it in Loveland too.
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Gallery
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- Castle Cross single speed start
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- Jesse Swift on the stairs
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- William Iaia and Brady Kappius on Castle Cross stairs
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- Mitch Westall with Kappius and Iaia on steep run-up
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- Chris Key, cat 3 & junior, behind Kappius on backside of Castle Cross course
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- Brady Kappius wins 2012 Castle Cross single speed contest
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- 2012 Castle Cross single speed podium, l – r: Mitch Westall 3rd, Brady Kappius 1st, William Iaia 2nd
ProVéloPassion 