UTCX State Championships

OGDEN, Utah-Round #8 of the Utah Cyclocross Series also happens to be the race that determines the State Champion for each category.  There was a lot of buzz surrounding the choice of venue for the championship event, Mt. Ogden Golf Course.  Being a brand new venue many wondered if it would be worthy of hosting such an important event.  In short the answer was a resounding YES!  With large hills, an tricky off camber downhill, high speed barriers and cold temps this race would require a great fitness, skills, and tactics to win.

In the Women's A race Kris Walker (Contender) jumped out to an early lead followed closely by Kelsy Bingham (Roosters) with Erica Powers (Revolution)  a few seconds back in 3rd.  As the race wore on Walker maintained a gap of 4-6 seconds on a tenacious Bingham to get the win.  Since Walker is an Idaho resident Kelsy Bingham is the new Women's State Champion. Meanwhile back in the chasers Meg Plank (Kuhl/Specialized) was tearing around the circuit chewing up riders and leaving them for dead.  She would overtake Erica Powers for 3rd overall and assume the runner up spot in the State Champs battle.

In the Mens A race a trio of riders quickly established a gap on the decimated field.  Bart Gillespie (Revolution), Jason Sager (Jamis) and Alex Grant (Cannondale Factory) we matching each other pedal stroke to pedal stroke with no one able to get a gap.  Coming into the closing kilometers of the final lap Alex Grant put in a big dig getting a gap on Sager and Gillespie.  Sager was able to bring it back at which time Gillespie countered and got the gap that would get him the win. Sager was able to hold of Grant for 2nd and that was the podium.  Race winner Bart Gillespie said "It was really hard out there today, any one of could have won. As it turned out I was able to get a small gap at the end take it."  Junior rider Keegan Swenson showed no respect for his elders putting in a very impressive ride to finish 4th in the Mens A race.  Looks like the future of Utah Cyclocross is bright indeed.

For a first time venue Mt Ogden Golf Course really stepped up and is helping take Utah Cyclocross to the next level.  The local high school drum line came out which added a to the already great atmosphere of cyclocross. Several city officials were present and were very impressed with the event, even commenting that they would like to see bigger national level events come to town.  Ogden is a great sports town and with support from city officials it is exciting times for Cyclocross in Utah.

Sarah Kaufmann goes down hard, Kelsy Bingham goes onward	Bart Gillespie and Jason Sager	Burke Swindlehurst

Meg Plank	Erica Powers	Sam Krieg