Lyons Cross, Boulder Cyclocross Series #5

By Eddie Clark  

(December 11, 2011) LYONS, Colo.—A hearty bunch of cyclocross racers came out in droves to contest the final race of the Boulder Cyclocross Series behind the Lyons High School.  With snow lingering from a week old storm and temperatures that rarely got above freezing, the days' early racers battled not only the cold but also a very frozen course.  Many stretches had just a narrow sno-packed path through the snow which kept passing to a minimum.  The courses two mandatory run-ups and tricky short downhills that followed were extra challenging given the frozen ice-rink like conditions.

By the time the Masters 35+ race got underway, the sun was breaching the hills behind the school to warm things up just a little bit, but not enough to that the course out.  Jon Cariveau and his teammate Michael Robson (Moots) were quick to reach the front of the race and overtake Greg Keller (Boulder Cycle Cport) who led out the first half lap going into the flatter grassy section of the course.  By the third lap, Robsons pace saw Cariveau lag behind while Tim Faia (Boulder Cycle Sport) bridged up to pass Cariveau and catch Robson.  As the lap counter got down to one to go, Robson succeeded in gapping Faia, and took another win, and also clenched the series overall.

Next up were the Masters 45+, which provided non-stop action on a course that became increasingly difficult as the ground softened up.  There were approximately five lead changes during this race, but in the end Jeff Hall of Justin's Cycling set the race winning pace with a narrow 15 second gap over Mike Hogan.

As the Senior Women's Open race got underway, the sun was at its high point, and the frozen course started thawing in earnest.  Kristin Weber (Boulder Cycle Sport) set an excellent pace, and even developed a significant gap over the field by the second lap.  However, renowned tri-athlete Flora Duffy put in a big dig to bring the race back together with Kristal Boni and Karen Hogan close behind.   With one to go, Boni took over and just barely held Hogan off to win by only a few seconds.

The Senior Men's Open race proved to be a real mud fest of the wet in-your-eyes sort.  Held during the warmest part of the day, many had to ride just to the side or leave a small gap open from the rider in front just to see where they were going.  Much of the course had standing water from the rapidly melting snow, but fortunately the conditions didn't wreak complete havoc on the bikes. 

The race of the day was essentially between Boulder Cycle Sports Peter Webber and Brandon Dwight against a stacked field of Feedback Sports pros such as Chris Case, Tim Allen, John Klish and Ken Benesh.  Allen led the race out, but the technically savvy Webber put his skills to work to get to the front with Dwight close behind.  The duo saw stiff competition from Spencer Powlison who looked to be a contender for the win until the latter stages of the race where he faded enough so that Dwight and Weber's lead was too much to bring back.  With the last lap to their selves, the Boulder Cycle Sport teammates rode all out until the very finish, which saw Weber win the drag race to the finish line.

ACA results here.