UTCX 2011 Season opener: Utah State Fairgrounds

 Utah Cyclocross Series organizer Matt Ohran gave local crossers two back to back days of racing to kick off the new season. Jason Sager (Jamis), Kelsy Bingham (Roosters/Bikers Edge) and Kris Walker (Contnder) started the 2011 cyclocross season with wins in Utah Cyclocross Series A division racing Saturday and Sunday in Salt Lake City.

 A twisty course wound its way though the flat venue. With short straights, grass, gravel, pavement and tight turns, the course favored riders who accelerated quickly and adapted quickly to changing surfaces. Saturday's course set included a short concrete stair run up. Sunday the course was reversed and the stairs omitted. A special obstacle was created on Saturday with the addition of a portable foam generator. Cranking out a pile of industrial bubbles, the machine proved to be a real hit with the kiddie cross participants.

 In women's action, Kelsy Bingham of Roosters, fresh off two weeks racing on the road, including Cross Vegas, Starcrossed CX and Rapha-Focus GP in Seattle, won out on Saturday over Idaho strong woman Kris Walker. Bingham and Walker swapped leads at the head of a field of 9 until Bingham was able to distance herself from Walker. On Sunday it was Walkers turn, with a decisive win over a field missing Bingham. Consistent crosser Erika Powers, returned to racing after a summer long layoff with a third place on Saturday and second on Sunday

Women's A results:

 On the men's side Bart Gillespie (Revolution) also returned to racing after a protracted absence. Gillespie, Jason Sager (Jamis), Kevin Hulick (Roosters/Bikers Edge), and Reed Wycoff (Contender) returned to their annual battle for the top of the men's A division. Joined by Keegan Swenson (Whole Athlete) the lead groups of men were able to create a small gap over eh rest of the field of 26 that no one was able to bridge. Sager and Gillespie made the race lead two until Gillespie crashed in a gravel section. Sager took a solo win with Gillespie second and Wycoff third. Sunday the race was Sager and Swenson who distanced the field. Sager proved stronger than the 17 year old Swenson and powered away through the twisting course for his second win of the weekend.

Men's A Results:

Full series info is availble at: http://www.utcx.net/home