Boulder Cyclocross Series #3

Report by Eddie Clark

Wells and Miller take back to back wins for Hudz/Subaru at BCS#3 CX Race.

(Oct 24, 2010) ESTES PARK, Colo.—536 ‘cross crazed racers showed up at the Louisville Rec Center to contest the third cyclocross race of the five race Boulder Cyclocross Series.  Even though winter snow showers over the weekend were great for helping Loveland Ski Resort open, they were absent in regards to moisture deposited on the course, thus leaving racers with another fast dry and dusty course.

After junior racers got the course worn in with their early morning start, the Men’s 35+ field definitely burned it in at full race pace immediately after with their 9:45am start.  Improving upon his winning average in the 35+ field, which is now 50% for ten 35+ races this season, Moots Cycles’ Michael Robson had a repeat winning performance which saw him soloing off the front early on, and holding it until the finish.  Behind Robson a chase group of four was whittled down to two with Ward Baker (Justin’s Peanut Butter) taking second and Kevin Quinones (Rotor Bike Components) finishing in third.

The largest field of the day was the 35+ cat4 men at 95.  With a starting coral on one end of an open soccer field, the 35+ 4’s were strung out completely across it as the leaders made their way through the first tight chicane to even further string the field out before a run-up barrier section.  A notable feature of this course were its two steep and long barrier sections that had most everyone off their bikes and running for their entirety.  Considering the course was mostly in a grassy field with only one sand pit, the course designers did a stand-out job in creating an extremely challenging traditional cyclocross course that had racers on their technical and physical limits.

Like Robson in the Men’s 35+ race, Hudz Subaru’s Amanda Miller got a gap on the Open Women’s field at the start, and held it to the finish for her second victory in as many days.  Behind Miller a group of five ladies kept it a tight race for second place with several passes being made before Ann Trombley of Tokyo Joes sealed up second place, and Karen Hogan of Justins Peanut Butter claiming third place in the 45 minute race.

Even with the USGP cross race being contested in Louisville, Kentucky on the same day, a large field containing 55 very fast men took the line to start the Open Men’s race.  With fresh legs (from not racing at Saturday’s Xilinx CX race), Boulder Cycle Sport’s Allen Krughoff was first to the front and opened a nearly 5 second gap over his chasers on just the first lap.  Unlike the previous day’s race, Hudz/Subaru racer Jake Wells arrived plenty early to warm up, and it showed as he went to the front and dropped the hammer to real Krughoff back in.  Tim Allen of Feedback Sports aboard his Niner 29’er rigid mtn bike, and Brandon Dwight (Boulder Cycle Sport) were keen to Wells’ fitness and stayed glued to his wheel for the next couple laps. 

By the races end, Wells had gotten considerably off the front and built on his lead to take the win.  “It feels good to come down and open everything up.  It’s a great course and it suits me really well with quite a bit of running and a couple big power sections” said Wells of the days racing.

Behind Wells, his Hudz/Subaru teammate, Jonathan Baker rode consistently to bridge up to the leading chasers and take a come-from-behind second place against the duo of Dwight and Krughoff by capitalizing on a bobble in the sand pit during the last lap by Dwight.  Allen eventually faded to eighth on the somewhat mountain bike unfriendly course.  Notably, CU Boulder freshman from Lake Geneva Wisconsin, Chris Hurst was in the mix with the top ten throughout the race showing real promise for collegiate racers, and ultimately taking sixth place behind Peter Webber.  "I had a much better start today… I’m really happy to be up there with those guys and actually be racing instead of trying to catch up.  It’s really exciting to race out here with some of the best guys in the country", noted Hurst.

Full race results at American Cycling Association.

More photos here.

Michael Robson solos to another 35+ win.	Ward Baker and Kevin Quinones duel it out for second in the 35+ Men's race.	Pit bikes await idolly for their racers call to duty.
Men's 35+ 4's were easily the largest field to race together.	Todd Hockenberry lead most of the 35+ 4's race but ultimately finished second to Joe Bryan.	Fall colors were in abundance.
Women's Open racers wait and watch from the start line as the 45+ men get their race underway.	Karen Hogan lead a good bit of the chase to catch Women's Open winner Amanda Miller.	45+ Men on the first run-up.
Karl Kiester took the 45+ win.	Amanda Miller on her solo ride to first.	Jake Wells leads the chase to catch Allen Krughoff.
Tim Allen utilized his 29'er to ride the entire course.	Chris Hurst of CU Boulder is one to watch for the coming CX races.	Jake Wells had an insurmountable lead toward the races end.
Cool afternoon temps had this COMotion team pup seeking warm confines.