Today Fort Buenaventura hosted the final race of the Utah Cyclocross series and the final race of the year proved to be the best. Much like last week, an overnight snow storm had covered the course with a fresh blanket of snow. However, warmer temperatures quickly turned the fresh snow into thick soupy mud. By the time the men raced, the course had been churned into a thick bog of unrelenting slop. Series leader Bart Gillespie (MonaVie-Cannondale) was not enthusiastic about the mud saying "I would take last weekend's snow over this mud." No one realized the mud would lead to some of the best racing action Utah cyclocross has seen.
The men's race got off to a rapid start with Ali Goulet (Ridley) taking the lead, closely followed by Bart Gillespie. As they battled in the opening laps Goulet appeared to have the upper hand in the tough course conditions. He established a 10 second lead, then 20 seconds, and with just 3 laps remaining his lead was at a unheard of 34 seconds over Gillespie. It appeared the mud had taken the steam from Gillespie as he drifted back as far as 5th place.
Just when it seemed there was no chance of catching Goulet a small break formed from the chase pack. Gillespie and teammate Art O'Connor (MonaVie-Cannondale) charged hard from the pack. Then Gillespie surged, leaving teammate behind. In just one lap Gillespie had cut the lead down to 16 seconds, and by the beginning of the final lap the two leaders were locked together. They battled neck and neck until the final time over the barriers. With a flawless run Gillespie broke the race leader. Leading the majority of the race had taken a heavy toll on Goulet and he failed to close the gap. Gillespie charged across the line with a well deserved win. A last lap crash into the barriers by O'Connor left 3rd place open with Porcupine Grill rider Eric Rasmussen out sprinting Jon Gallagher (Cole Sport) to the line.
The women's race was equally tense with first place in the series at stake. The winner today would most likely take the overall prize. With Dayna Deuter (Ridley) currently sitting atop the rankings a win by Kris Walker (Krieg Cycling) last week put her in position to over take the leader. Much like last week, Walker seemed to excel in the adverse conditions. She quickly established her lead and rode smoothly throughout the course. Once again she left second place to be sorted out behind her. This time it would be Tiffany Pezzulo (Squadra-Velocita) battling with Dayna Deuter for the runner-up spot. Early on they appeared to be closely matched with both women powering their way through the thick wheel grabbing mud. Pezzulo however used her years of training to slowly chop away at her opponent and take second place. Fourth place went to the smiling face of Julie Holmes who seemed to actually enjoy riding in the mud.
Today's finale to the 2007 Utah Cyclocross series should certainly make the local cyclocross crowd confident they will have strong riders representing them at next week's National Championships in Kansas City and leave them drooling for more racing next year.
Race Results:
1 Bart Gillespie Mona Vie/Cannondale
2 Ali Goulet Ridley Factory Team
3 Eric Rasmussen Porcupine/Specialized
4 Jon Gallagher Cole Sport
5 Reed Wycoff Contender Bicycles
6 Mitchell Peterson Mona Vie/Cannondale
7 Dave Harward Porcupine/Specialized
8 Kevin Wilde Porcupine/Specialized
9 Art Oconnor Mona Vie/Cannondale
10 Chad Harris Racers Cycle Service
11 Bryan Gillespie
12 Kris Arnott VMG
13 Shannon Boffeli
Women
1 Kris Walker kriegcycling.com
2 Tiffany Pezzulo Squadra/Velocita
3 Dayna Deuter Ridley Factory Team
4 Julie Holmes Cutthroat Racing
5 Rachel Cieslewicz Monavie/Cannondale
6 Jennie Wade Ridley Factory Team
7 Jenelle Kremer Revolution
8 Marit Fischer Contender
Witten by: Shannon Boffeli
Photos: Shannon Boffeli and Cris Fox
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Utah Cyclocross: Saving the Best for Last
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Utah Cyclocross Wheeler Farm
What a day for cyclocross. Despite a weather forecast calling for 2-4 inches of snow in the Salt Lake Valley, there was well over 6 inches on the ground by 10 0'clock. At least another 4 inches would be added to that by the time the men's A race would end. Mother Nature whipped up the perfect recipe for great racing action and plenty of carnage. It was fitting that the two of the strongest riders in the Utah cyclocross series would each come away with wins in these epic conditions.
The action started with women's race. Kris Walker (Krieg Cycling) got off to a good start and never allowed her competition to bring her back. After the second lap she had established her gap at 45 seconds held to for the rest of the race. Walker looked in control and relaxed on her bike despite the slippery conditions. Behind her the battle for second was close between Dayna Deuter (Ridley), Julie Holmes (Cutthroat Racing), and Erica Powers (Revolution). These three would trade places throughout the race until the end where Deuter was able to use her power to pull ahead of Holmes and Powers. Deuter was happy with her second place but finished the race frustrated with her bike handling. "I could have done better if I could just stay on my bike" Deuter said after the race. This was certainly a sentiment shared by many others riding today's treacherous course. Going into next weekends final Kris Walker has now won two races and has set herself up to take the overall series win.
At the height of the snowstorm Bart Gillespie (MonaVie-Cannondale) showed everyone how to ride fast in the snow. Against strong local talent like Ali Goulet (Ridley) and Art O'Connor (MonaVie-Cannodale) Gillespie would establish an early lead that left everyone else out of sight early in the race. He continued to show his tremendous talent and strength throughout the race. Building on his lead with every turn of the pedals eventually lapping the majority of the field and winning by the widest margin of the day. It appears Gillespie has fully recovered from the knee injury that forced him to abandon the Ruta De Los Conquistadors two weeks ago. Although he wasn't able to fulfill his pre-race prediction that he wouldn't crash a single time during the race, he showed everyone why he is the strongest cross and mountain bike racer in Utah.
Much like the women's race, a tense battle was being waged for second while the leader rode away with the race. This time it was Goulet, O'Connor, and Reed Wycoff (Contender) contending for the runner-up spot. Goulet managed to establish a late race lead only to be foiled by a broken derailleur with two laps remaining. He was prepared for this sort of mishap but even a smooth bike change opened the door just enough for Wycoff to jump into the second spot. With only two laps left Wycoff was able to hold him off for the second spot. Wycoff attributed his late race success to luck and good bike handling "I was able to ride four consecutive laps without crashing, that was right when Ali broke his derailleur."
Today was certainly a race everyone will remember. Nearly a foot of snow, icy turns, and great racing action. Today's great racing action will help set the tone for next weeks finale at Fort Buenaventura. The racers can only hope for a day as memorable as today.
Race Results:
Category A1 Bart Gillespie - Mona Vie/Cannondale 2 Reed Wycoff - Contender 3 Ali Goulet - Ridley Factory Team 4 Art Oconnor - Mona Vie/Cannondale 5 Eric Rasmussen - Porcupine/Specialized 6 Bryan Gillespie 8 Jonny Hintze - Bikers Edge/Destination Homes 9 Kevin Wilde - Porcupine/Specialized 10 Alex Grant - Rocky Mountain 11 Chad Harris - Racers Cycle Service 12 Shannon Boffeli 13 Aaron Stites - Racers Cycle Service 14 Gary Dastrup - VMG 15 Dave Harward - Porcupine/Specialized 15 Kris Arnott - VMG 16 Sam Kreig 17 Ryan Barett - Sienna Dvlpmt/Goble Knee 18 Jared Nelson - Sienna Dvlpmt/Goble Knee
Top
Women A
1 Kris Walker - kriegcycling.com 2 Dayna Deuter - Ridley Factory Team 3 Julie Holmes - Cutthroat Racing 4 Erika Powers - Revolution 5 Marit Fischer - Contender 6 Jennie Wade 7 Meara McClenahan - Contender 8 Tiffany Pezzulo - Squadra/Velocita 9 Lyna Saffell - Revolution 10 Jamie Bennion
reported by Shannon Boffeli
photos by Shannon Boffeli and Lyna Saffel
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