RESULTS

The Bay Area Super Prestige Results

From Race #2 Have Been Posted...

Congratulations to all the race day division winners at BASP #2

Cat A Women- Kerry Barnholt- Scott/Ritchey

Cat A Men- David Wyandt- Bay 101/HRS/Rock Lobster

Cat A 35+ Men- Don Myrah- Ibis/BuyCell.com

Cat A 45+ Men- Gannon Myall- Cal Giant/Specialized

Men 55+- Norm Kreiss- Cal Giant/Specialized

Cat A Single Speed- Rainer Schaefer- Freewheel/Hunter

Cat A 35+ Women- Amy Goldstein- Bicycle Trip/Symantec

Cat B Women- Amy Shreve- Specialized

Cat B Men- Scott Penzarella- Studio Velo

Cat B 45+ Men- John Walter- El Cerrito

Cat B 35+ Men- Shawn O'Meara- Velo Reno

Cat C 35+ Men- Michael Lodoen- Murray-Renaissance

Cat C Men- Jonathon Kreirtran- San Jose Bicycle Club

Cat C Women- Annie Yates- Golden Gate Velo

Junior 15-18- Tobin Ortenblad- Spokesman Bicycle

Junior Women- Madeline Myall- Cal Giant

Junior 10-14- Jovanni Stefani- Sprocket Rocket

Cow Palace Cross Results Have Been Posted...

Nor-Cal racers earned strong results down south at the UCI Dam Cross events.

Both Saturday and Sunday riders from the NCNCA region showed fine form against strong competition from So-Cal and abroad.

Leading the way on the Men's side was Scott Chapin(Bay 101/HRS/Rock Lobster).  Chapin cracked the top 10 on both days, displaying super riding skills and strength in Los Angeles.  On Sunday Jeremy Ferguson(Cal Giant/Specialized) battled into the top 10, to join Chapin as the only Nor-Cal men to fight & claw their way into a top 10 finish position during the weekend races.

The Nor-Cal Women again proved themselves as warriors of the Cross bicycle, and positioned themselves as true contenders in any Elite race in America when the start gun sounds. 

Saturday it was Devon Haskell(Bike Station Aptos) and Barbara Howe(Ibis And The Danger Twins) who both contended for victory, while eventually finishing 4th & 5th respectively, only 44 and 52 seconds away from the 1st place rider- Susan Butler (Hudz-Subaru).  Also in to top 10 on Saturday were 3 other Nor-Cal women racers, Beverly Chaney(Team Roaring Mouse), Courtney Dimpel(Bike Station Aptos), and Katrina Baumsteiger(Team Rambuski Law).

On Sunday Howe & Haskell each moved up a placing and traded positions on the podium with Haskell in 4th and Howe in 3rd.  Howe was on her game during Sunday's race, rallying across the grass sections and posting tremendous average speeds on the pavement portions.  In the end Howe was a mere 22 seconds away from victory at the UCI C2 status event.

Dimple, Chaney and Baumsteiger again made top 10 on Sunday.

Photo Credit- Jeff Namba- Sac. Town Cyclocross- Lembi Park.

The Cyclocross Meeting Screening At The Bicycle Film Festival

I highly recommend a viewing of Brian Vernor's The Cyclocross Meeting.

Sneak Peak Here...

The Cyclocross Meeting will be screening at The Bicycle Film Festival
Sunday November 14th, 7pm, at the Victoria Theatre (16th & Mission)Ticket Info Here...

The Cyclocross Meeting will be accompanied by a live performance by soundtrack
contributors Roots of Orchis. Rare footage from Vernor's super 8 archive will be
projected while the band plays.

The Cyclocross Meeting is a documentary meditation on the sport of
Cyclocross and the human connections it inspires around the world. The film
follows pro Barry Wicks and rising star Adam McGrath to Japan where they
compete with seven time Japanese National Champion Keiichi Tsujiura and
the up and coming talent Yu Takenouchi.

A lushly textured paean to the hardships and joys of the excruciating sport of Cyclocross, the
film explores the challenges and personal narrative behind the pursuit of the
"perfect ride." Also featured is a rare interview and visit to the shop of 35
year veteran frame builder, Shigeru Nakagawa.
Richly photographed and married with an evocative soundtrack featuring
Talkdemonic, Roots of Orchis and Blktop Project, The Cyclocross Meeting is a
celebratory exploration of the sport and its beauty as seen by its most
dedicated riders from two sides of the ocean.

RACING

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS...

BASP #2 - Coyote Point

Epic Cycolcross conditions reach Northern California in perfect fashion to create a very memorable BASP Series event.

No "official" results were available online at time of this post.

BASP Photo credit- Jon Suzuki

Saturday's Sacramento Series Race #3 results can be found here...

Hat's off to one of the best courses of the season at Sacramento Series - Lembi Park in Folsom.

No "official" Palace Cross results were available at time of this post.

BASP #2 - SAC. TOWN CROSS - COW PALACE CROSS - THE "LOU" FRESNO NIGHT RACE

NCNCA Cyclocross is in high gear this weekend with the great BASP Series leading the way at Coyote Point on Sunday.  This awesome race follows Saturday's full slate of activity with outstanding events such as Cross Palace- part of the San Francisco Bicycle Expo, the Sacramento Cyclocross Series, and Fresno's fun "Lou" Night Race at Woodward Park.

BASP race #2 is sure to be epic and action will be ripping from all angles of Coyote Point.  New sections to the great route used in 2009 will be added, which is  guaranteed to produce an awesome course, thrilling excitement, and fine racing in San Mateo.  The BASP races are top notch and Sunday is only going to be another classic.

Palace Cross is one of the feature events at the San Francisco Bicycle Expo.  Palace Cross is a crowd pleasing Cross race in and around the Cow Palace.  The course is one of a kind and a stupendous time for all.  This is a must do event and the crowds are always large since the route traverses in and out of the Cow Palace itself.  Strong racing will be had at Palace Cross, plus a chance to view & support the SF Bicycle Expo 2010.

Fresno's famous "Lou" Night Race is another classic event that goes down this Saturday at Woodward Park, near the center of Fresno.  This race is incredibly fun and one of the top times in all or Northern California Cyclocross.  Night riding is super cool, and night Cyclocross racing is the best.  Bring your bike lights and the good times are around every corner when taking part in the "Lou" Night Race.  JP Sickler produces a party like atmosphere for this sick race & fun time out at the park.

Cross In The Capitol is firing off it's third race of the Sac. Town Series on Saturday.  Folsom is the host destination for race #3 and solid racing will be the theme for the day.  Sacramento Cyclocross is in good hands with Brian Joder and his crew doing amazing things for the riders and Cross fans.  The Sacramento Cyclocross Series does not disappoint, and I commend the series for being a great ambassador of the sport, and introducing high level Cross racing to all the new riders from that region. 

Tom & Alec Simpson's new fly-over Cyclocross sensation will not be used for this Sunday's BASP race as planned.  The photo above shows this terrific up & over obstacle, that is being refined and perfected before it is let lose on the NCNCA Cross racers. 

VIDEOS

Video viewing for this feature is some recent 2010 UCI Cyclocross races.  Prime examples of how the course itself, and conditions of the day can most dictate how the racing plays out.

I also take a cue from Steve Woo and look back to the UCI Cross Worlds from the year 2007, which was the most glorious ever for American Cyclocross racing at the Elite World Championships.

Tabor 2010- with it's long drawn out pavement sections and very fast conditions, this race was contested at one of the highest average speeds for a race this season in Europe.  You can see when the track is not overly technical and dirt is hard packed and fast, pack racing becomes a reality for Cyclocross, especially when there are many riders near same level in fitness and strength.

Superprestige Zonhoven 2010- One of my favorite races of the season, with it's downhill sand sections and long run-ups.  This course is demanding for bike handling- as well as fitness and strength.  The crowds are extremely large and the best racers in the world keep the action non stop on course.  Watch eventual winner Zedneck Stybar blast into an ignorant spectator who was trying to get video.  Stybar was going at full speed toward the end of a technical downhill sand section, and I still can not believe that Stybar did not crash.  This is a prime example of how tremendously strong Stybar is to keep his hands steady and not lose control when ramming into the idiotic fan full force.

GVA Trophy Koppenbergcross Oudenaarde 2010- Another one of my most favorite races of the season.  Check out the crowds- maybe the largest I have ever seen at this race, which always has huge crowds.  Cycling news had a story mentioning the crowds here.  Sunday's race could have had over 20,000 fans watching the action live.  The Koppenbergcross always brings high drama to the Cyclocross course and for 2010 the level was clearly raised.  This was partly due to the conditions of the route, it was a pure mud festival, and one of the hardest Cross races I have viewed in a while.  You know that when the 8th place male Elite racer is coming in 4 minutes behind the winner, conditions must have been off the chart difficult during the race.  Watch eventual winner Sven Nys ride his tubular flat tire for half a lap in the slick conditions.  He showed tremendous skills to ride the flat tubular around some of those mud filled corners.  That course was so hard, you can see it in the riders faces.  There was no pack riding on this day, it was every man for himself on course. The racing was just  survival, and simply getting around the course without falling or coming to a stop was challenging.  Watch the world's best Cyclocross bike handlers have to basically crawl around some of the off-camber, super-slick mud turns.  You know if riders are having to take their feet off the pedals in each corner to tri-pod around the turns, the course is amazingly technical.  Hats off to Sven Nys for being the ultimate dominator of this circuit.

2007 Women's UCI Cyclocross World Championships-  This course was very hard for the ladies and you can see on the last lap it got down to the very strongest clawing for the finish with all the power they could muster.  The World Championship was on the line for the winner, and if you do not get slightly emotionally entranced into this video, pulling for Katie Compton to get past the two French females, your not American!

2007 Men's UCI Cyclocross World Champioships- Watch as the Belgium Men appeared to have things under control in front of the frenzied home soil fans.  That was until a motor-scooter carrying a cameraman took out a barrier and crashed out two of the favorites Sven Nys & Bart Wellens.  That scene was so wrong........ but it was an American- Jonathan Page who benefited the most.  Then watch as rider after rider tasted trouble and crashed in one way or another.  The crowds got so out of control they toppled over the fencing and gate crashed into the action.  Through all the drama it was a on form Jonathan Page who came so close to stealing the biggest title in Cyclocross racing.  Page was in the lead on the very last lap, making a bid for victory, yet was slowed on one of the last small uphill rollers on the route and had to settle for the silver medal.

Lastly- a quick commercial for Cross.

PHOTO SPECIAL - STEVE ANDERSON

Steve Anderson is the featured photographer in this week's version of the

 NCNCA CYCLOCROSS PHOTO PAGE. 

Anderson has had a excellent season of racing so far during 2010 Cross with many high finishes in his division, and he is kind enough to click off some fine images after competing on course.

Please have a view of Steve Anderson's selected photos from this past Sunday's Surf City - Harbor High School Halloween classic - at the 

 NCNCA CYCLOCROSS PHOTO PAGE. 

NCNCA

Surf City Cyclocross results have been posted.

Congratulations to Elite race winners Andy Jacques-Maynes(Bissell Pro Cycling) & Karen Brems(Team Rambuski Law).

Both John Suzuki & Tim Westmore captured excellent photos from the awesome day of NCNCA Cyclocross racing.

Congratulations to the rest of the division winners at Surf City #1.

Master Women 35+- Janel Lodge- Bay 101/ HRS/Rock Lobster

Master Women 45+- Teri Reilly- Clayton

Master Women 55+- Linda Elgart- Webcor/Alto Velo

Category B Women- Amy Shreve- Specialized

Category C Women- Haley Cutter- Santa Cruz

Jr. Women 18 & Under- Maddie Ortenblad- Bike Trip

Master Men 35+ B- Christopher Elbo- Missing Link/3Rd Rail

Master Men 65+- John Elgart- Webcor/Alto Velo

Master Men 55+- John Brown- Family Cycling Center

Master Men 45+ B- Max Thompson- Missing Link/3Rd Rail

Category B Men- Garth Spencer- Specialized

Single Speed- Walton Brush- Mash SF

Master Men 45+ A- Kevin Merrigan- Team Rambuski Law

Master Men 35+ A- Don Myrah- Ibis/Buy Cell.com

It is very nice to see Andy Jacques-Maynes take to course.  Having AJM compete in some Nor-Cal Cross is definitely going to shock the legs of other Elite Men racers.  AJM has world class talent & power, and the rest of the Nor-Cal Elite male riders will have to clearly pick up their game if they dare to take on the Bissell sponsored Andy Jacques-Maynes.  I feel the other Nor-Cal men will rise to the challenge and AJM will have his hands full at certain times if he chooses to compete on the local scene for some Cross 2010.

Another Elite racer note- Kerry Barnholt(Scott/Ritchey) travelled to the Boulder UCI events this past weekend with a number of other Nor-Cal fast Women.  Barnholt showed stellar form to make the only top 5 placing over the two days of Cyclocross racing in Boulder.  Barnholt was on the podium Saturday with Katherine Compton (Planet Bike-Stevens Bikes), Georgia Gould (Team Luna), Nicole Duke (HUDZ-Vista Subaru), and Meredith Miller (California Giant/Specialized).  Very solid company for Barnhlolt!  Devon Haskill(Bike Station Aptos), who has been one of the leading ladies of Nor-Cal Cross for 2010, did manage 6th place on Sunday.  Barbara Howe(Ibis and the Danger Twins) put together a solid ride on Sunday finishing 8th place- in a very strong three-up battle with Wendy Sims(Ridley Bicycles) and Maureen Bruno Roy (Bob's Red Mill p/b Seven Cycle).

Kevin Merrigan won the 45+ Masters Men division at the Surf City Series event.  The 45+ Masters Men division in Nor-Cal is now, quite possibly, the most competitive field in Northern California.  It reflects the Elite division in Nor-Cal Cross 10-15 years ago!  Merrigan is a past National Champion, and is one of a handful of first class riders who now qualify for the 45+ division.  This 45+ group is loaded with talent and a top 10 placing is quite an accomplishment in this field.  Racers like Alan Coats(Cal Giant/Specialized) & Rich Maile(Mikes Bikes) are also examples of super talented Cross racers who are above 45+,  making this group beyond category for difficulty.  Top class racers do get older each year, which makes the Masters racing in Nor-Cal King Of The Court!  The 35+ Masters Men division holds legends, but now the 45+ fields are super stacked, showing that racers do get older but also seemingly faster with age. 

SURF CITY - HALLOWEEN

The Surf City Series and Ciclista Bonita, put together a "Ghostly" great time for Northern California racers at the annual Halloween Cyclocross extravaganza.  The costume race seems to get better each year, and I congratulate Team Santa Cruz, Jeff Clark, Mike Evans, Miss Mary, Ciclista Bonita, David Gill, and all the volunteers and helpers who produced such a great course and fun day for all.

Nor-Cal simply owns Halloween Cyclocross!

Free kids races are awesome! And Sunday's classic had a little extra meaning, being Halloween and all...

Velobunny captured some great shots of the "World Famous" Surf City Costume Cyclocross race/parade. Below are a just a few select photos of some of the best outfits on the day...

No "official results" had been released online at the time of this post.