NCNCA Racers Abroad

Bike Station Aptos team rider Devon Haskell leads the way for the Nor-Cal racers who travelled abroad to compete this past weekend. 

Haskell ripped off two outstanding rides and finished 2nd place on both days in the Elite Women's event of the Krosstober-Fest weekend of racing in Southern California.

The California Giant/Specialized Cyclocross team put together a amazing weekend of racing on both sides of the USA.  The Elite Women racers from Cal Giant mean business!  In So-Cal it was Cal Giant rider Teal Stetson-Lee who won on both Sat. & Sun., while in Massachusetts's at the Grand Prix of Gloucester it was Meredith Miller who went solo during Sunday's event to claim this Cross classic victory.  Cal Giant's U/23 rider Jeremy Ferguson was the top Nor-Cal male racer on both days at the UCI status event in San Dimas.  Ferguson cracked the top 10 on both days and posted a tremendous ride on Sunday to finish 4th overall and climb up on the podium of the Men's Elite division.  Ferguson is on fire!

One Nor-Cal racer who has had a solid start to this Cross season is Emily Thurston(Missing Link/3rd Pillar)- photo below. Thurston had a awesome weekend down south placing 6th overall both days in the Elite Women's field.  Being so close to a podium appearance is sure to make the smooth riding Thurston more hungry and more charged up for success this year in future races.  Thurston is one to watch for 2010!

Nor-Cal Women rule in Cyclocross.  Below is the Elite Women's podium from day one of Krosstober-Fest, and three of the five riders were from the NCNCA region.  Haskell in 2nd place, Sarah Maile(Ventana MTB) in 3rd position, and Barbara Howe(IBIS and the Danger Twins) in 5th.  Howe and Maile traded spots on day 2 of racing with Howe taking 3rd overall and Maile 5th place.

Other NCNCA racers who traveled abroad and battled hard on course to produce stellar top 10 rides over the weekend were Kerry Barnholt(Scott-Ritchey) back East in Gloucester, and in So-Cal it was Courtney Dimple(Bike Station Aptos), Katrina Baumsteiger(Team Rambuski Law), and Sarah Jordan(Bay101/HRS/Rock Lobster).  On the Elite Men's side of racing it was only Josh Snead(Bay101/HRS/Rock Lobster) who was able to work his way into the super competitive top 10, down south, to join Cal. Giant's Ferguson in that group.  However on day 2 of the racing in San Dimas, Nor-Cal men did post solid results with Aaron Odell(Bay101/HRS/Rock Lobster), Scott Chapin(Bay101/HRS/Rock Lobster), and Cody Kaiser all making top 15 in the final- finishing just outside the top 10.  Odell just missed this top 10 placing crossing the line 5 seconds behind his team mate- the fast pedaling Josh Snead.

Nor-Cal racers appear to be racing into near top form as the season gets really rolling now.  Things could be very interesting this weekend in Toro Park for CCCX Series race #4 if the best riders from Nor-Cal compete locally and line up for action.  If Rock Lobster & California Giant bring their best riders to this race, as is planned, there is sure to be major fireworks going off in Toro Park, and fireworks are illegal in Monterey County parks! 

Full results & photos from Krosstober-Fest day 1 here...

Full results & photos from Krosstober-Fest day 2 here...

Full results and photos form the Grand Prix of Gloucester here...