CycloX at Boulder Res

Report by Eddie Clark

Margell Abel and John Tarkington take last wins of Colorado Cross Cup.

(January 22, 2011) BOULDER, Colo.—Typically, January is a month for base miles and snow sports in Colorado with the exception being extended to a select few crossing the big pond for the World Championships this coming weekend.  However, with cyclocross racing quickly becoming a favored event, promoters from Without Limits Productions held one last cyclocross race for those who just can’t get enough of this high intensity sport.  This race also served as the final race for cross racers chasing a Colorado Cross Cup series win.

Junior racers were first to race on the cool Saturday morning and enjoyed the first laps on a surprisingly good cross course.  Although the mountains were getting pounded with snow, it was only partly cloudy in Boulder as a stiff northerly wind blew across frozen Boulder Reservoir to further bring down wind chill values as the juniors rode for 30 minutes on the same course as the adults. 

The course featured a paved start before leading into some mild gravel chicanes to help sort out the leaders.  Next, racers would navigate several tight turns and a steep climb along the sandy banks of the reservoir while weaving through banks of snow.  The sand was just moist enough to provide good traction without too much power loss, and there were even a few wet spots to create a sandy mud concontion to ensure everyone would be cleaning their bikes afterwards.  Holding true to cross racing, promoters also threw in two barrier sections which forced a dismount, and a set of stairs for racers to climb.

With a handful of the top 35+ racers competing in the Masters World Championships and others opting out of the cold race, racer numbers were noticeably smaller than the typical packed 35+ fields.  Regardless of racer numbers, it was still a full on race for first.  Rob Batey (Pro Peloton) was first to throw down, and was quickly chased by David Weber (Rocky Mounts) before eventual winner Charlie Merrill (Alta Physical Therapy) got up to speed to claim the victory.  “It was really fun showing up on a day when the fastest guys in our group are over in Belgium, to be able to battle at the front a little more comfortably.  The sand was a little moist so it was a lot easier to power through than normal.  It was such a fun course with a little bit of everything”, said Merrill.

In the Women’s Open race, Margell Abel of Team Tough Girls pretty much lead from start to finish out the cross season with a win.  “It was so fun, I thought it would be horrible to race in January, but it wasn’t too bad.  I’ve been on break, been skiing, which probably helped with the skills today, especially the downhill sandy section” recounted Abel on her race.  Riding with noticeable fitness, upcomer Amber Rydhom (GS Boulder) secured second place while Annie Fox of Evergreen finished in third place.

In the grand royal race also known as the Senior Men’s Open, Kevin Kase got the early lead through the first section of muddy sand while Aaron Bouplon (Rocky Mounts) led the chase behind.  After a couple of laps, it was John Tarkington (Natural Grocers) taking up the chase and ultimately taking the lead.  Tarkington would grow his lead for the rest of the race, and take the win with Kase taking second and Bouplon finishing in third.

Visit the ACA website for full results.