Primalpalooza Cross Race

By Eddie Clark  

(November 6, 2011) GOLDEN, Colo.—In the wake of several hotly contested cyclocross races along the Colorado Front Range, the Primal Racing event organizers carried the flag last sunday with their Primalpalooza cross race. 

Held at the North Area Athletic Complex just down the road from North Table Mesa, the event featured a 2 mile course which included plenty of barriers, natural features and twisty turns to keep racers on their game.  Notably, there were even two small mud pits before and after the steep run-up to further test racers while at their anaerobic wits end.  Compared to years past and even races held earlier this year, the weather was perfect with a light breeze, abundant sunshine and cool temperatures.

In the spirit of growing the sport of cyclocross racing, promoters held a first-timers race which didn't require a license and also had a discounted entry fee of $15 bucks to allow newbie's a chance at 30 minutes of heart racing pandemonium on two wheels.  Just like many of the other races, junior category racers got free entrees, which certainly helps for a more affordable day of family racing.

After the first-timers race, the Women's Elite race kicked off with a big sprint down the opening stretch before thinning out on the somewhat hard pack dirt course.  Golden resident Lisa Hudson (Feedback Sports) put her local knowledge and solid fitness to good use by grabbing the lead early on, and holding it for her first cross win of the season.  "This is my backyard, Doug and I practice here all the time.  I came prepared", said Hudson.

Racing in her first cross race of the season, Sonya Looney showed up in the yellow caped white and rainbow colored uniform that prominently features a regal Unicorn, which is the core power and spirit of her new cyclocross team, Team Super Awesome.  "Today, I wasn't feeling the power of the Unicorn.  The Unicorn was taking a break, so we're going to have a chat so I can harness the power of Team Super Awesome next weekend and be a little more competitive" noted Looney on her otherwise good second place finish.

Turns out USAC held a cyclocross race in Colorado Springs on the same day that garnered valuable points for start position call-ups for racers who plan on contesting the US National Cyclocross Championships in January.  As a result the Men's Elite race had a smaller than usual field which still tore fast laps around the drying course.  Oregon transplant Russell Stevenson went straight to the front of the race to open a gap over Tim Allen (Feedback Sports) in second.  Close behind Allen was Jon Tarkington (Natural Grocers) who went on to finish in third.  Even with superior bunny hopping skills, Allen was unable to reel in Stevenson and so finished just over a minute back in second place.

Results here.