Maxx Chance bunny-hopping stairs; his ‘cross racing age is 17.
If cyclo-cross started in Europe as a way to maintain fitness during a cold, wet winter when riding on the road could be miserable and even dangerous, then it follows that New England would be a ‘cross hot spot given its similar winter weather.
A look at the U.S. races on the 2013 UCI cyclo-cross calendar reinforces New England’s stature in the discipline*.
2013 UCI cyclo-cross calendar USA races
| region | races |
| NorthEast | 20 |
| SouthEast | 7 |
| MidWest | 11 |
| West | 11 |
UCI sanctioned cyclo-cross races are considered the crème de la crème of ‘cross events. When it’s within their means, elite amateur riders will travel to UCI races with the goal of placing high enough to earn UCI points. The prestige of a UCI ranking as well as a good starting position at U.S. national championships drives this “race-chase.” After the defending champion, the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships call-up rules for riders in elite level and men’s junior 17–18 categories begin with UCI ranking and then continue based on USA Cycling ranking.
It might also follow that, with more UCI races in their neck of the woods, New England or NorthEast-based riders would gather more UCI points and thus with better starting positions place higher at nationals than their counterparts from other regions. It’s hard to defend this theory in the elite categories since pro riders for the most part get funded to travel outside of their regions to events. A look at the past three years’ nationals results for the men’s junior 17–18 category doesn’t support the theory either.
Residence of 2009, 2010, & 2012 USA Cyclo-cross Nationals men’s junior 17-18 top 3
| region | top 3 |
| NorthEast | 0 |
| SouthEast | 4 |
| MidWest | 0 |
| West | 5 |
Of course factors other than starting position determine a race’s outcome and it’s tough to draw conclusions from limited data. But perhaps despite New England’s cyclo-cross depth, a rider doesn’t have to call that region home to do well at nationals.
2013 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships take place in Madison, Wisconsin, from January 9 to 13.
*NorthEast region includes Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. The last three account for 7 races. SouthEast region includes Kentucky, North Carolina, and Maryland. MidWest region includes Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. West region includes California, Nevada, Colorado, and Oregon. USA nationals event excluded from UCI race count.
[With thanks to Russell Harding for certain details; his Road to Cat 1 site is a must-read for bike racers who want to move up in category.]
Yannick Eckmann on the long stairs at Bandimere
Bandimere Speedway. The name invokes images of fast, finely-tuned motorized engines careening around corners.
On Sunday the Morrison, Colorado speedway showcased human engines driving two-wheeled machines at the first 2012 Quarter Mile Cross event, and in particular, the engine named Yannick Eckmann of the California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized cyclocross team.
In the men’s open race Eckmann quickly opened a gap on the multi-level course characterized by long paved segments and trails lined with slippery, chalky dust. His lead never threatened, Eckmann won after riding alone for nearly the entire race.
Colby Pearce (Panache Cyclewear), who won the single speed race which ended just before the open race began, earned second place after battling three junior riders.
Up to level 3 of the Bandimere course, Colby Pearce, Zane Godby, Gage Hecht (r – l) with Garrett Gerchar far left
The three juniors — Zane Godby (Clif Bar Cyclocross Devo Team), Gage Hecht (International Christian Cycling Club), and Garrett Gerchar of Boulder Junior Cycling, took third, fourth, and fifth places respectively ahead of the remaining eight competitors.
| 1 | Yannick Eckmann, Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized |
| 2 | Colby Pearce, Panache Cyclewear |
| 3 | Zane Godby, Clif Bar Cyclocross Development Team |
| 4 | Gage Hecht, International Christian Cycling Club |
| 5 | Garrett Gerchar, Boulder Junior Cycling |
| 6 | Aaron Bouplon, RockyMounts Izze |
| 7 | Chuck Coyle |
| 8 | Brett Pirie, Groove Subaru-Alpha Bicycle Co |
| 9 | Ross Holbrook, Boulder Cycle Sport |
| 10 | Doug Schuler, Boulder Cycle Sport |
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Gallery
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- Colby Pearce ahead of Zane Godby
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- Gage Hecht and Zane Godby on the pavement
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- Searching for a knight on a shiny bicycle
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- Garrett Gerchar, with spectator king of the hill game
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- Yannick Eckmann on the long stairs at Bandimere
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- Boulder Cycle Sport rider at Quarter Mile Cross
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- Aaron Bouplon finished 6th at Quarter Mile Cross #1
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- Yannick Eckmann between dismount and carry
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- Zane Godby leads up the concrete stairs at Bandimere
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- Gage Hecht recovers from spill in a chalky corner
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- Up to level 3 of the Bandimere course, Colby Pearce, Zane Godby, Gage Hecht (r – l) with Garrett Gerchar far left
Russell Stevenson first at 2012 Big Ring Cycles CX in Parker, CO
The way Russell Stevenson described it, the scramble to win the holeshot on Saturday at the Big Ring Cycles CX race in Parker at first sounded atypical. He was, in his words, “going really slow” as he led the men’s open group around the first turn.
After the race he explained why while describing the conditions in the start area: “You just don’t want to be going really too fast, too crazy in this loose gravelly stuff, because someone is going to hit the deck.” And he didn’t want to go down either.
The Boulder Cycle Sport rider would, however, eventually take down the entire field by beating them all to the finish line after 56 minutes on a 3.3 kilometer course with more curves than a slinky.
Spencer Powlison, Russell Stevenson, and Ken Benesh (front to back)
Stevenson, Spencer Powlison (Evol Elite Racing p/b Pharmaca), and Ken Benesh of Feedback Sports rode together at the front of the race with each taking a turn — though it appeared Powlison did the most work, until Stevenson pulled away with two laps to go.
Behind the three leaders Chris Case (Feedback Sports) and junior rider Gage Hecht (International Christian Cycling Club) battled for fourth, a contest Case won.
Chris Case chases Gage Hecht
Saturday’s effort yielded a third straight victory for Stevenson after two wins the weekend prior. But that’s not the most races he’s ever aced consecutively.
“I had an undefeated season in Washington one year; I think it was 12 straight,” he said on Saturday. He was 30 years-old at the time. Stevenson’s current racing age is 36. He’s from Washington and now lives in Boulder.
It looks like that winning streak will remain a record, at least for this season. “There’s not even that many [races] left,” Stevenson said. “I’m just having some good form, that’s all. When you’ve got it, you have to use it.”
Big Ring Cycles CX, Parker, top ten men’s open race
| 1 | 56:03.8 | Russell Stevenson, Boulder Cycle Sport |
| 2 | 56:16.9 | Spencer Powlison, Evol Elite Racing p/b Pharmaca |
| 3 | 56:18.6 | Ken Benesh, Feedback Sports |
| 4 | 56:57.6 | Chris Case, Feedback Sports |
| 5 | 57:20.1 | Gage Hecht, International Christian Cycling Club |
| 6 | 57:38.0 | Michael Robson, Moots |
| 7 | 57:54.1 | Chris Brandt, Honey Stinger |
| 8 | 58:13.1 | Ward Baker, Team Kappius |
| 9 | 58:26.1 | Brandon Dwight, Boulder Cycle Sport |
| 10 | 58:30.3 | Grant Holicky, Evol Elite Racing p/b Pharmaca |
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Gallery
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- Groove Subaru – Alpha Bicycle Co rider reps Movember well
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- Spectators await riders at the run-up from hell
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- Spencer Powlison did not want to relinquish 2nd place
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- Run-up from hell
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- Ken Benesh chases Spencer Powlison in the trees
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- Gates Carbon Drive single speeder
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- Spencer Powlison, Russell Stevenson, Ken Benesh (front to back)
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- Chris Case chases Gage Hecht
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- Chris Brandt finished 7th at Big Ring Cycles CX
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- Chris Case’s last lap near sundown
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- Russell Stevenson first at 2012 Big Ring Cycles CX
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- Brandon Dwight
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- Garrett Gerchar at Big Ring Cycles CX
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- Ken Benesh in the tree maze
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- Gage Hecht on the run-up from hell
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- Michael Robson placed 6th at Big Ring Cycles CX
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- Memorial in Salisbury Park near Big Ring Cycles CX course
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- Big Ring Cycles CX men’s open start
Turkey feather relay race frontline
Today Tom and Stephanie Danielson welcomed about 400 visitors for a juniors’ cycling feast.
Twenty pounds of oatmeal*, nineteen apple and pumpkin pies, and eighteen gallons of apple cider fueled 150 juniors and 50 adults who zipped, bounced, and zagged along a taped-off course near Boulder Reservoir as family and spectators cheered, snapped photos, and let laughs fly.
This year’s Tommy D’s Turkey Day Ride for Juniors saw more than double the number of riders and family members who enjoyed the event in 2011. They all walked or rode away with the reminder that any day you can balance on two wheels is a gift, and one that’s meant to be shared.
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- Tommy D’s Turkey Day Ride for Juniors, turkey feather relay staging
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- Autograph alley
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- Blue team determination
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- One of the guest pro riders, Cari Higgins
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- Yellow team determination
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- Red team determination
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- Julian Kyer, one of the pro rider guests, gunning it
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- A little help from pro rider Kiel Reijnen
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- Sometimes we all need a big cheering section to get over a hill
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- Pro rider guest Lucas Euser shepherded the orange team
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- A welcome place for pilgrims on bikes
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- Always ride with a friend
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- Turkey feather relay start line of champions
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- Course host and guide, Tom Danielson
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- The youngest junior with mom, Stephanie Danielson
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- Sweet reward
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- Serious turkey feather relay race faces
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- Turkey feather relay race frontline
*oatmeal courtesy of Skratch Labs, mechanical support courtesy of The Service Course, event presented by T20 twenty twenty cycling with support from Deirdre Moynihan (DMM Cycling), Clint Bickmore, and Barry Siff
“We must be a handsome pair,” Mike Tamayo said. “Everyone wants to photograph us.”
[Text below courtesy of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team]
Oakland, CA – As 2012 winds down and Thanksgiving approaches, the 21 riders of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team are giving thanks and reflecting on what they were thankful for this holiday season. Here’s what several of the Team members had to say:
Mike Tamayo (General Manager/Team Director): “There are a lot of things that I am thankful for in 2012. It was a great season for the Team, with lots of success on the bike. We really did reach a big audience in promoting exercise and healthier lifestyle. Personally, I am always thankful for my health, as well as great family and friends. 2012 was a bit more special with it being an Olympic year, and having my wife (Lauren Tamayo) not only compete but also win a Silver Medal in London is something we are very thankful for and proud of.”
Jeff Louder as best Utah rider, 2012 Tour of Utah
Jeff Louder (USA): “I am thankful for my family and friends, particularly my wife and kids. I am grateful and feel very fortunate that I have so many people in my life that I can rely on and who can rely on me.”
Brad White (USA):“I’m thankful for my wife, kids, and family that support me in my career as a professional cyclist. Without them I couldn’t do what I do.”
Jake Keough (USA): “I am thankful for my family and friends and having the opportunity to enjoy an amazing career. The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team is a group of people who are all driven to win and have a like-minded approach and a singular focus on the task at hand. Growing up through cycling I searched high and low to surround myself with people who have the same goals as I did and would allow me to reach my potential. I can say I have found that here and for that I am thankful!”
Luke Keough (USA): “I have raced my entire life and throughout that time I have been given so many opportunities to progress. This year in particular the step to the United Healthcare Pro Cycling Team is one that I am extremely thankful for. Also during my entire career I have had tons of support from my family. Without them I would not be where I am now nor would I have tools to get where I am going.”
Kiel Reijnen
Kiel Reijnen (USA): “I am thankful for my new, wonderful supportive wife, and to a fresh start with the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team in 2013.”
John Murphy (USA): “I am thankful to be close to my family and friends. The best thing about the holidays is getting the entire family together under one roof and I’m fortunate to spend the holidays with my family who are close by here in North Carolina. I am also quite thankful for being healthy and being able to make my dream of bike racing happen for another year. Every bike ride is a gift to which I am thankful to be able to do.”
Adrian Hegyvary (USA): “I am thankful for good health, friends and family.”
Danny Summerhill (USA): “I am thankful to be fortunate enough to have been signed by such a phenomenal program. I am also thankful for my family’s health and thankful Hurricane Sandy victims are finally starting to get life back together.”
Alessandro Bazzana(ITA): “Although I am not American, I can appreciate the spirit of Thanksgiving and I am thankful for a lot of things. I am especially thankful for the beauty of Mother Nature and being able to do a job where I have close contact with it. I am also thankful for having a healthy family around me which has let me choose my own path in life.”
Karl Menzies (AUS): “I am thankful for a healthy family.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
The 2013 UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Roster:
Jake Keough (USA)
Hilton Clarke (AUS)
Robert Förster (GER)
Marc de Maar (CUR)
Jeff Louder (USA)
Ben Day (AUS)
Jonny Clarke (AUS)
Brad White (USA)
Chris Jones (USA)
Philip Deignan (IRE)
Karl Menzies (AUS)
Davide Frattini (ITA)
Adrian Hegyvary (USA)
Lucas Euser (USA)
Alessandro Bazzana (ITA)
Luke Keough (USA)
Aldo Ilesic (SLO)
Kiel Reijnen (USA)
Martin Irvine (IRE)
Danny Summerhill (USA)
John Murphy (USA)
Marc de Maar, 2012 Tour of the Gila
He does it, it seems, everytime he races at Valmont. Maxx Chance (Clif Bar) bunny-hops up the Belgian Stairs at Valmont Park, smooth as silk.
Russell Stevenson gaps Spencer Powlison, followed by Brandon Dwight, and Zane Godby
[updated 11/28/2012]
Russell Stevenson of Boulder Cycle Sport celebrated a win in the men’s open race at the Boulder Cyclocross Series race #4 yesterday at Valmont Park. The day ended with multiple celebrations, one of which would continue later over a racing couple’s dinner table.
Kate Powlison (Panache Cyclewear – Horizon Organic) won the women’s open race for a second time in this year’s series to maintain the series lead over second place Kristin Weber of Boulder Cycle Sport. Powlison’s husband, Spencer Powlison, went home as series leader as well. He finished second in the men’s open race, gaining enough points to steal the series lead from Robin Eckmann (California Giant Berry Farms / Specialized) who didn’t start race #4.
Zane Godby (Clif Bar) contested the men’s open race too; he turned eighteen on Saturday and marked the occasion by pulling a wheelie as he crossed the finish line in eighth place.
Zane Godby’s finish line wheelie
Just ahead of Godby, Gage Hecht (International Christian Cycling Club) ended his race seventh, behind Pete Webber of Boulder Cycle Sport who at age 42 is three times older than Hecht. Webber and Hecht rode for most of the race together or as part of a group of five or six who proved the strongest after Stevenson and Powlison.
Spencer Powlison defends his lead over the chase group
Men’s open race action
Powlison took an early lead on a warm day for November with Stevenson on his tail. Just behind them Godby and Stevenson’s teammate Brandon Dwight tried to catch on.
Stevenson said after the race that he shadowed Powlison for the first two laps because he was “playing the teammate,” waiting for Dwight to bridge up to them. “And then as soon as they were essentially on our wheel,” Stevenson said, “I punched it on the climb because that was really where you could get separation, the two up-and-backs on the climbs.”
Dwight unfortunately crashed, and Godby lost his early speed, leaving Powlison to chase Stevenson. Powlison’s efforts couldn’t close the gap to Stevenson, which grew to thirty seconds by the end of the race, but was sufficient to hold off the chase group less than 20 seconds behind him.
With two laps to go Hecht accelerated to the front of the chase group to take third position on the course behind Powlison. He couldn’t hold off the others, especially Ken Benesh of Feedback Sports. Benesh finished third, celebrating with a smile as he crossed the finish line with Taylor Carrington on his wheel.
Ken Benesh leads Taylor Carrington near the end of the race
The first Boulder Cyclocross Series race this year also took place at Valmont Park. Some of the best Colorado-based riders in the discipline lined-up to race. Ben Berden and Allen Krughoff of Raleigh-Clement rode away from the field for first and second places and Benesh completed the podium with third. Other events have vied for riders’ attention on the days of the subsequent series contests, which has varied the depth of the field from race to race.
Stevenson still enjoyed his win while acknowledging the absence of several heavy favorites. “When you take [Danny] Summerhill and Ben Berden, even Allen Krughoff, and Yannick [Eckmann], you take those guys out of the equation it kind of leaves guys like me and Spencer and Brandon to fight it out,” Stevenson said. He didn’t seem to miss those guys on Saturday, agreeing that their absence could be considered positive. “It’s a good thing,” he said, laughing, “because you’re excited that you might be able to win.”
Describing himself as a stay-at-home dad, Stevenson works as a sales rep for Voler clothing and has a six month-old son. He plans to race at cyclocross nationals and worlds. Stevenson celebrated a second win in one weekend by winning Alpha Cross today.
One race remains in the Boulder Cyclocross Series. It’s scheduled for December 8 at Boulder Reservoir.
Russell and Nikole Stevenson and son
Top ten, men’s open race #4
| 1 | 56:33.2 | Russell Stevenson | Boulder Cycle Sport |
| 2 | 57:04.9 | Spencer Powlison | Evol Elite Racing p/b Pharmaca |
| 3 | 57:07.1 | Ken Benesh | Feedback Sports |
| 4 | 57:07.3 | Taylor Carrington | |
| 5 | 57:20.7 | Michael Robson | Moots |
| 6 | 57:27.0 | Peter Webber | Boulder Cycle Sport |
| 7 | 57:47.7 | Gage Hecht | International Christian Cycling Club |
| 8 | 58:12.1 | Zane Godby | Clif Bar |
| 9 | 58:38.4 | Josh Whitney | Evol Elite Racing p/b Pharmaca |
| 10 | 58:42.0 | Ward Baker | Team Kappius |
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Gallery
2012 USA Pro Challenge Time Trial podium in Denver
[updated 11/19/2012]
Here’s the latest based on publically available sources about which cities have submitted bids to host the 2013 USA Pro Challenge. Bids were due Friday, November 16, 2012.
| 2012 Host City | Bidding for 2013? |
| Durango | No |
| Telluride | Yes |
| Montrose | Yes |
| Crested / Mount Crested Butte | Yes |
| Gunnison | Yes |
| Aspen | Yes |
| Beaver Creek / Vail | Yes, both |
| Breckenridge | Yes |
| Colorado Springs | Yes |
| Golden | Yes |
| Boulder | No |
| Denver | Yes |
Other cities reported to bid:
According to the Denver Post, the original three-city combination of Fort Collins/Loveland/Estes Park grew to four with the addition of Windsor.
Steamboat Springs, Salida and Grand Junction. Longmont was reported to bid as well.
Rumored or with potential to bid:
Delta.
This collection of cities suggests the overall start may take place in northern Colorado this year. Cities bidding for a start, finish, or time trial completed the 2013 RFP.
“Call Me Maybe” cyclocross style, by Jamie Servaites and Terri Smith, features ‘cross racers and spectators at Colorado venues during the 2012 season.
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It’s been fun to watch Jamie and Terri as they’ve filmed this fall.
Filming “Call Me Maybe” at Interlocken
Danny Summerhill leads Ben Berden early in the CO Cross Classic
If Danny Summerhill (Chipotle-First Solar) entered a local Colorado non-UCI men’s open cyclocross race in 2011, he won it. At UCI races he reached the podium once and ended the season with a collection of top 15 results*.
Fast forward to 2012 and Summerhill’s still winning every local non-UCI race he enters. What’s different is he’s consistently doing better at UCI races.
| 2012 | 2011 | ||
| USGP Smartwool | day 1 | 4 | |
| day 2 | 4 | ||
| USGP Deschutes | day 1 | 3 | |
| day 2 | 14 | ||
| USGP Derby Cup | day 1 | 5 | |
| day 2 | 15 | ||
| Boulder Cup | 2 | 8 | |
| CO Cx Classic | 4 | 5 |
Here’s how Summerhill responded when asked just after the 2012 Colorado Cross Classic what he’s doing differently this year.
“Just not really giving a shit. If training works out for the day then I go train, and if it doesn’t then it doesn’t but I don’t really worry about it. Just less pressure on everything and I think that’s probably what’s helped a lot, is just knowing there’s always another day; this isn’t my full-time gig so if I can do good I do good. I think not having that pressure is pretty helpful. I have noticed a lot of the weekend races have been pretty cool, I pretty much just show up on the start line, don’t really warm up too much, and had some good success…”
This weekend Summerhill has the chance to try out this approach at the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross Derby Cup. He’ll be one to watch in a deep field that includes Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus), Ryan Trebon (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld), and Ben Berden (Raleigh-Clement).
*according to results posted at USA Cycling
ProVéloPassion 