UTCX Day 4: Swenson, Bingham Post Dominant Wins

(Oct 15 2011) Ogden Utah - A hot, sunny Saturday, decidedly non-cyclocross weather again in Utah, gave witness to a large turnout for the fourth installment of the Utah Cyclocross Series. Keegan Swenson (Whole Athlete) rode to a decisive win in mens A racing. Kelsy Bingham (Roosters/Bikers Edge) claimed victory in Women's A. Both are fresh off a weekend of UCI racing in Fort Collins where Swenson placed third on Saturday and won on Sunday. Bingham placed twelfth and eleventh respectively.

Saturdays UTCX course was set on the equestrian arena at the Weber County Fairgrounds in Ogden Utah. Essentially flat the course features a number of turns that favor a rider who picks a clean line and expends a minimum amount of energy in the subsequent accelerations. Three logs barriers and one double set of standard barriers break the rhythm of the pack. The course also featured four short but steep ramps leading into hairpin turns in succession on the backside.

Participation was good. 45 women in all classes rolled out at 12:15. Kesly Bingham (Roosters/Bikers Edge) and Kris Walker (Contender Bicycle) went to the front from the gun and never looked back. Bingham rode on the front for the entire 45 minutes finishing well clear of Walker.  Both held a substantial gap over third place finisher Erika Powers (Revolution). Walker holds a small lead over Powers in the series overall standings.

Men's A racing witnessed a dominating performance from 17 year old Keegan Swenson (Whole Athlete). Effortlessly bunny-hopping obstacles and accelerating smoothly around the course, Swenson rode clear of the pack and never looked back as he rode to his first series win. Swenson's nearest competition was Kevin Hulick (Roosters/Bikers Edge) and Troy Heithecker (Echelon Energy) who finished second and third. The win puts Swenson in second place overall in the series which runs through mid December.

The race of the day took place in Masters 35A. Tim Matthews (Church Of The Big Ring) went turn for turn with Thomas Cooke (X-Men). The two raded pulls for the duration of 60 minute race. Early action saw the field split into groups of 4 and 5 riders. Cooke and Mathews drove the lead group which included John McKone (Colesport Racing), Scott Allen (Canyons Bicycle) both strong members of the masters field. McKone bobbled a remount and fluffed a bunny hop to remove himself from the group. Allen held on longer but succumbed to the pace set by Matthews and Cooke. Matched evenly Matthews and Cooke shared the workload until Cooke was able to put in a burst that distanced him from Matthews on the final lap. Matthews acknowledged Cooke “rode a cleaner line and knew it”. Cooke is the leader in the series with a 60 point advantage over second place rider Scott Gowski (Sonora Grill).

Full series information: http://www.utcx.net/home