CCCX #2 was held at the former Army Base Ft Ord under beautiful summer like
conditions. Which in this case was not ideal, for cross races are most
exciting with a little temperature turmoil and weather mayhem added in for
good measure. Yet the bright sunshine and picturesque blue sky didnt
disappoint any of the racers who competed on a fast and in some sections
technically challenging course. Most racers applauded the layout designed
by the CCCX staff and really enjoyed the riding. Lap times were over 9
minutes which led to a physically demanding day in the saddle for all
competitiors.
In the Elite Men's race Ben Jacques-Maynes (Kodak/Sierra Nevada) showed why he was rated one of
the top 10 fastest cross racers in the USA by Velonews. He bided his time
racing with the group for a few laps on this course that featured many road
sections, before launching a winning move that ended in a victory by 2:31
on 2nd place Steve Reaney (Cal Giant Strawberry). While fit looking Brett
Hondorp (Sycip Racing) soloed in another 20 seconds back in third. The
final time for the win was 1 hour 10 minutes. The duration, combined with
the sun and wind made this race brutally long for some of the riders.
Jacques-Maynes claimed his instant $100 cash payout for the win and said he
will put it to a college fund for the new addition to his family! A
bouncing baby boy! Second place was the stocky built Reaney, who rode a
two man duel with Cameron Falconer (Hunter Cycles/DFL) before Falconer blew
his cheerios, literally, and suffered a huge bonk. The opertunistic David
Wyandt clawed in on the deflated Falconer, and as his new born little girl
watched on, Wyandt pimped him at the line to claim 4th place, while the
Hunter/DFL rider had to settle for 5th. Making out the top 10 on the day
were Aaron Bonar (Sycip Racing), Flyin' Philip Roberts (Ritchey), Rob Evans (Rock Lobster/Jeff Traugott Guitars),
and Ben Dodge (Rock Lobster/Jeff Traugott Guitars), and Matt Young (Sycip
Racing). Thus having three Sycip Racing team mates in the top ten places.
The Elite Women's race had Stella Carey (Kelly Bike Company) ride to a
convincing win. Carey used a single speed set up on her Kelly cross rig to
seperate herself from hard charging Shelley Olds (Rock Lobster/Jeff
Traugott Guitar) by a time of 1:30. Olds had a strong ride and chased
Carey as long as possible before riding in alone for the silver medal and a
instant cash payout. Kristen Drum (Village Pedaler) claimed the final cash
payout and the CCCX custom bronze medal another minute back. 45 seconds
later the ever talented Heather Kirby (Velo Bella) came across the line to
take 4th. While Kathleen Hennon (Freewheel) had a smooth ride and rounded
out the top 5.
Men's 35 A field was the biggest group of the day for the 2nd race in a
row. Thus making it the most competitive division, with its participants
boasting many years of racing savy and knowledge. Tim Thompson (Euro
Cycling Imports) showed solid form and incredible skill in outlasting the
rest of the fine field and claiming a much deserved win. Thompson and
Keith DeFiebre (Ritchey/Bay Bikes) broke away from the group on lap one
working together with Defiebre leading thru the turns and Thompson doing
super pulls into the wind. The on form Mark Howland (Black Market Racing)
and Christopher Dougherty (Infineon Raceway) bridged up to the fast leading
pair, and a four man break formed at the front of the race on this wide
open course in the former army base. This group looked ready to take it to
the finish, opening up a lead on all of the chasers. Thompson kept things
interesting doing solid surges to test out the group while trying to
deliver a win for Euro Cycling Imports. And it was DeFiebre who had to make
the chase and bring the wily Thompson back into fold. DeFiebre had a high
speed slide out on a off camber dirt turn, and there is no waiting in cross
racing, so it was a 3 man break heading toward the end. Dougherty began to
suffer back pains which hamperd his bid for the win. And it came down to
Howland versus Thompson fighting for the Cash payout and gold medal for the
win. Thompson, who used to travel the NORBA curcuit on the pro level, used
that race experience to cunningly out fox the super strong Howland and take
1st place with a arm pump celebration by just a scant margin. Twenty
seconds later Dougherty was third claiming the bronze medal and some gas
money for his drive back home. Defiebre was joined by fine riding Reed
Maxwell (Safeway), and those 2 were chased down by strong finisher Mike
Mathews (Buy-Cell) on the last part of the final lap. Defiebre claimed
the 4th spot by a spoke length over Mathews, while Maxwell had to settle
for 6th place on the day. 7th and 8th place finishers were team mates
Cesar Chavez and Brock Dickie riding for Buy-Cell, giving that team 3
riders in the top 10. Charles Hess (Bicycle Trip) and Eric Bustos (Cal
Giant Inc.) rounded out the top 10.
Men's 45 A field is becoming a Mark Abele (Boure) highlight film. Abele, I
dont think, has lost a race this year in his division and is now clearly
the most marked man of the group. This accomplishment in a group that
holds many nationally decorated and talented racers shows just how fine the
friendly and personable Abele is riding right now. Abele finished 50
seconds ahead of Jim Gentes (Family Cycling Center), who in the past has
sponsored the CCCX series with the Junior Gentes Fund. This sponsorship
allows juniors to race at a discounted price, thus the former junior
national champoin was giving back to the sport he loves so much! One
minute after Gentes finished Euro Cycling Imports' Norm Kreiss claimed the
bronze medal in this very competitive group. Doug Hatfield (Family Cycling
Center) used his cross racing talents to claim 4th on the day 20 seconds
behind fireman Kreiss. San Luis Obispo's own Edwin Rambuski (Southern
Sierra Cyclists) took a inspirational 5th on the day. A few years ago in
this same army base Rambuski took a fall that looked simple but ended with
a broken femur. Rambuski shows true character and determination in each
race he competes in and seems to have made a full recovery from that
incident. Infact he seems to be riding better then ever, and it shows that
one can come back from such a major issue and be very competitive.
Rounding out the top 10 on the day were Thomas Sullivan (Amsterdam
Bicycles), Steve Stewart (Easton/Specialized), Frank Cuaresma (Cal Giant
Inc.), Kem Akol (Team Bicyle Trip), and Larry Broberg (Team Bicycle Trip)
in that order.
In the Women's 35+ field Beverly Chaney (Roaring Mouse) remained un
defeated in the series posting a 45 second win over fast riding Melinda
Jones (Team Santa Cruz). Chaney used the home field advantage to her full
benifit doing practice runs the night before using a pacer that looked like
her son on a bmx bike. Watch out for this kid if he can ride anything like
the National Sport Division Mtn. bike champion Chaney. Amy Abele (Vello
Bella) took a solid third place on the day and walked home with another
custon CCCX medal for her work on the fast track. Henrietta Stern (Hot
Flash Chicks) and Samantha Sommer (Team Santa Cruz) rounded out the top
five on the day.
The B Women's division saw the closest battle of the day amongst the female
races. Katrina Baumsteiger (Black Market Racing) and Jammin' Janel
Lodge (Black Market Racing) were locked in a epic duel of wills and racing
abilities for most of the day. Baumsteiger was the winner of race #1 in
the series and did not want to settle for second on the day. Yet the
competitive and intelligent Janel Lodge was having none of that and
constantly applied pressure to the speedy Baumsteiger. In the end it was a
paltry 7 seconds that seperated the two. With the relieved Baumsteiger
collecting her second win of the series. Surely this battle royal will
continue during the rest of the series! Jana Roberts (Village Pedaler)
claimed the bronze medal on the day only a scant 40 seconds ahead of up and
coming Juli Schmidt riding for Team Ritchey. Alyse Weyman (Velo Bella)
rounded out the top five on the day.
The story of the Men's B races just might have been the lean and talented
13 year old Jeremy Blalock (Joselyns). This youngster was charging against
the rest of the field and knew exactly where to gauge his efforts having
won the junior division the previous race. The 13 year old was attacking
the front and really was doing most of the work that enabled a break to go
clear in the first 2 laps. Locked on to the impressive Blalock's wheel
were Brian Rogers (Sycip Racing), Murray Swanson (Peninsula Velo) and
Martin Suro (Bay Bikes). This move went clear and after Blalock blew up as
his thin body ran out of the youthful exuberance, it was left to 3 riders
to decide the win. This three man battle was very exciting and it came
down to the last few turns to make the placings. The reckless and skilled
Rodgers used his technical abilities to just claim a hard fought win over
Swanson and Suro in that order. These finishers were one second apart at
the finish line, making it the tightest race of the day for the custom CCCX
medals. Jeff Patton (Cotcam Cycles/AMD) missed the winning move and had to
setle for a solid 4th on the day. The very talented Andrew Hammond
(Specialized) took 5th on the day one second ahead of Blalock. Six seconds
back came Jordi Cortes (Missing Link/Bianchi). With Ryan Glades (La
Peine), Russell Anderson (Sunshine Bikes), and Joe Ernst (Sycip Racing)
filling out the top ten spots in that order. Ryan Schlichting (SF Sport &
Spine) just missed the top ten by only 10 seconds and looks poised to make
that up in race #3.
The Men's C division was won by newcomer to the cross scene Jimmy Sopko
(Bay Bikes). Sopko was filling in for Jeremy Keyes (Bay Bikes) who placed
2nd in race #1 of the series, but was on a fishing trip with his dog and in
laws. So the virgin cross racer Sopko had to test the fishing grounds of
the CCCX series and came out on top of a strong C group. Sopko was "rider
down" on the last lap as the pressure of the win was building up in his
first cross race. He was able to re group and hold off the fleet Alejandro
Quintero (Pen Velo) by the samll margin of 4 seconds. Two seconds later
talented Travis Tonn (San Jose Bike Club) claimed the final medal postion
in this hard fought race. The battle for top three was very close as only
6 seconds later Troy Mayfield (Spokesman) sprinted across the line and took
4th on the day. Creedence Shaw (On The Couch Racing) filled out the top 5
with a solid day in the saddle and off the couch. Eric Sterner (Ride SFO),
Geoff James, Geoffrey Thompsom, Charles Meehan (Ride SFO), and Antonio Diaz
(Wolfpack), filled out the top 10 on the day in that order. Of note, Jesse
Nickell (Bicycle Trip), and Norman Spiers (SOCO) just barely missed the top
10 and look poised to combat the rest of the group for a precious top 10
placing.
Men's 35+ B division saw Murray Swanson win to stay undefeated in this
division for the series. Swanson always seems to glide around the course
like a swan heading south for the winter. He won the race by almost one
minute over the gifted rider Tim Endes (Alan Racing). The Bramlett
brothers were next in order and their director sportif instructed Jeffrey
Bramlett to take the bronze medal while Mitch Bramlett settled for 4th on
the day. The daring and always dangerous Deric Dangzalan rounded out the
top five in this solid group of racers. William Muir (Stevens
Creek/Eorpean) had a fight on his hands for preciuos series points and
edged out Chris Rodriguez (Pegasus Bicycles/Allegiant Air) by a mere two
seconds to claim 6th place. Next in order were 8th place Chris Baker, 9th
place Bob Barwick (Family Cycling Center), and 10th Mike Colombani.
Scott "Dino" De Laurentes used his tremendous fitness and cut muscular
build to post a solid win in the Men's 45+ B division. The daring De
Laurentis attacked from the gun and ended with a win by 19 seconds over the
classy rider Peter Sherrill (Mt. Nittany Wheelworks). William Hall was
third on the day claiming the final medal for the group. Matt Dunstan
(Scotss Valley Cycle Sport) and Toulumne's own Bruce Lodge (Black Market
Racing) were hooked up in a great war for the 4th and 5th places in the
group. Dunstan seperated himself from the tenacious Lodge by 15 seconds in
the end and relageted Lodge to the 5th spot.
The Junior fields are going very strong for the CCCX series 2005, and it
seems that the Bicycle Trip has the most established junior development
program going to date. Many of the riders are sponsored by Bicycle Trip,
and it shows that this shop clearly has stuff moving in the right direction
for the Santa Cruz area's junior riders! Junior Women saw Tania
Lokmagozian and Jesse Blalock, who are good friends, do solid races with
Tania taking first and the always smiling Jesse taking the silver medal!
Jr. Men 13 & under saw the Bicyle Trip group dominate the field and really
make an impact in the group. This strong team was led by Dylan MacDonald
who took the gold medal and Noah Karter taking the silver. Dean Kimmey
broke up the Bicycle Trip party and stole the bronze medal with a fine ride
in a solid group of young racers. Other Bicycle Trip riders to show well
were Raymond Mendoza, Oliver Nickell, Jordan Vanderstoep, Thomas Mendoza,
Trent Knebel, and Darik Thunstrom, in that order. Logan Mahler also had a
solid race on this long loop that featuread a little of everything for the
cross racing juniors.
Junior 14-18 field showcased a on going batttle between two local juniors
who have faced each other many times during the past years. In the early
days it was Logan Loader (Alan Bikes) who used to get the upper hand on
little Jeremy Blalock. But as the competitve Blalock has grown up, the
soon to be 14 year old has made up the difference on the older Loader, and
it now seems this battle has shifted to the thin figured Blalock's
advantage. Thus Blalock put the hurt on the fast starting Loader this past
Sunday, and it is now up to Loader to find the form to challenge the 14 &
under national Mtn. bike champion Blalock. Blalock won the race by only 30
seconds over a under raced Loader, so look for this battle to continue
through out the rest of the season and longer. Tim Reuss (Bicycle Trip)
had a solid ride and held off Jesse Nickell (Bicycle Trip) by 20 seconds to
claim the bronze medal. Taylor Shamshoian riding for Scotts Valley Cycle
Sport finished 5th in this strong junior field.
The Singlespeed division was full of named riders who have made their mark
in past CCCX races. One of the featured riders was 2004 CCCX series
champion "The Coaster" Brad Koester who races for DFL. But the incredibly
long race took its toll, and "The Coaster", who struts his singlespeed
stuff through the red light district of San fransisco, fell victim to the
length of the race and settled for 4th on the day. Mike Matthews was the
winner of this fixed gear division with a fine ride on the nearly 2 mile
CCCX cross track. Dylan Snodgrass (DFL) claimed the silver medal in 2nd
place and team mate Patrick Mayall (DFL) was the bronze medal winner in
3rd. Michael Martin (Team Santa Cruz) spun his single speed bike to his
best abilities and was a solid 5th for the day.
by Dusty Downs
Cycle Sport International