Schoolyard Cross: Recess at the Res

Race report by Shawn Lortie

Kappius and Dombroski are head of the class at this years Schoolyard Cross.

More unseasonably warm and dry weather greeted racers at the Boulder Reservoir for Saturday’s Schoolyard Cross. Although a new venue for this race, the Resevoir is no stranger to anyone who races CX on the Front Range. Aaron Bouplon, Rocky Mounts-IZZE Racing, and the Flatirons Junior Development Team, put together a great new course that included all the sand, rough fields, and loose gravel that the Res is famous for, but also added a handful of grassy, off camber turns. Brandon Dwight had this to say about the new course; "I've raced at the Boulder Reservoir more times than I care to remember, but it was great to see a new take on the course design. I found it technically and physically challenging."

The event also had all the other important ingredients of a great CX race; Belgium Waffels, lots of frites, food, a BYOB policy, and plenty of stuff for the kids to do. An added bonus to the racers was the chance to play Sumo Poker, where riders could pick up a card on each lap, and the best five-card hand would win a bunch of Oskar Blues beer. Quite a few racers chose to play and the two Sumo wrestlers handing out the cards were kept pretty busy. 

In the women’s Open race Amy Dombroski  (Luna Chix) took off from the gun and never looked back.  Julianne Boylan (GS Boulder Trek) was able to stay fairly close for a lap or two, but Dombroski’s power proved to be too much. Behind the leader, Amanda Miller (Hudz/Subaru) eventually worked her way up past a fading Boylan, who was forced to deal with a hard charging Sonya Looney.

Looney, (Hudz/Subaru) missed her start and had to work her way up from dead last. “My head was in the clouds on Saturday and I missed my start by about 45 seconds.”  Said Looney. “I had to pick my way through the whole field,” which she did in style, with a bright yellow cape flying from her shoulders!  In the end it was Dombroski with the win, Miller in second, and Sonya Looney in third. 

In the Men’s Open race Braden Kappius (Clif Bar) took the hole shot and led out the field as they raged across the dusty straights at the west end of the course. Tim Allen (Feedback Sports), Brandon Dwight (Boulder Cycle Sports), and Matt Pacocha (Hudz/Subaru) were all players at the front for the first couple of laps.

By the half way point, it was Pacocha and Kappius taking turns at the front, with Allen and Dwight chasing close behind. "The race was going well for me until I flatted and had to get my spare bike, but after seeing Brady and Matt drilling it off the front in the 80 degree heat, I was quite content to take it easy and watch them battle it out!" Said Dwight after the race. In the end Kappius was able to pull away for the win, with Pacocha second, Tim Allen third, and Dwight in fourth. 

Unfortunately, Danny Summerhill (Garmin) went down hard during warm up and was taken away in an ambulance. Early reports are a separated shoulder. Hopefully Danny can get back on it this season as he has been on fire, having two top ten finishes at last weekends UCI races in Boulder.

On a lighter note, it was great to see the race organizers give the Women's Open race their own time slot! It was much more enjoyable as a spectator to be able to really follow the race as it unfolded. This is nearly impossible when the ladies are racing with the Men's 45+ group. Needless to say, the ladies must have enjoyed it even more!  

The Women's Open field negotiates the off camber s- turn section.	5 card stud anyone?	Amanda Miller tries to reel in Amy Dombroski.
Sonya Looney working her way through the pack with a little help from her cape.	Julianne Boylan? hammers out of a corner in the Women's Open race.	Plenty of sand to get your grind on.
Braden Kappius takes control of the Men's Open field.	Alex Howes exits the beach with Brian Hludzinski and Colby Pierce chasing in the Men's Open.	Robbie and Anna at Ritual Chocolate cook up some seriously tasty treats!
Men's Open riders power through the s-turns.	A Clif Bar rider heads into the woods.	One to go!  Pacocha leads Kappius.