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Denver Federal Center Cyclo-Cross

Denver, CO, November 2, 2003

Fortune favours the brave

By Rob Karman

While the big guns of Colorado cyclo-cross were out of town garnering UCI points, a brave few turned out despite damp conditions including freezing drizzle for the 2003 Denver Federal Center Cyclo-Cross on Sunday, November 2nd.

While for many it was simply a preview of the venue where state champions will be determined in a month, there was some hotly contested racing at the front and for the second day in a row, recent Kentucky transplant Mike Hall (Carmichael Training Systems) rode away with the win. On the first lap it looked to be a carbon copy of the previous day's contest with Hall rolling off the front to a comfortable gap, but a long road section allowed Zak Grabowski (Hot Tubes), Christian McCarthy (Vitamin Cottage) and Mike West (Trek VW) to real him in and form a lead group of four. Behind, Joe DePaemelaere (Boulder Racing), weeded his way through traffic after a bad start to lead the chase group at six seconds back.

On the fourth lap, Hall looked to be in trouble as he stacked it into the first of a triple set of barriers and had to watch from the ground as Mike West took the lead, but positions within the lead group changed again only a few seconds later when West tripped over a barrier and tumbled to the ground himself. Both riders managed to quickly regain the lead group and the cat and mouse began. Grabowski attacked first and took Hall with him and together the pair quickly distanced themselves from their former riding companions. A series of attacks and counterattacks brought the two into the final lap together and Hall dealt the final blow just before the bell was rung leaving Grabowski on his own.

In the chase for the final podium spot, DePaemelaere and chasing partner Jeff Wardell caught West as McCarthy faded back and it came down to a three-up sprint with West taking the honors.

Photography

Zak Grabowski (Hot Tubes) attacks the lead group Photo ©: Rob Karman	Joe DePaemelaere (Boulder Racing) leads the chase Photo ©: Rob Karman	Eventual race winner Mike Hall (Carmichael Training Systems) Photo ©: Rob Karman	Young Zak Grabowski (Hot Tubes) puts in a valiant effort Photo ©: Rob Karman
Mike West (Trek VW) on his way to third Photo ©: Rob Karman	Joe DePaemelaere (Boulder Racing) on a self-made frame Photo ©: Rob Karman	Victory in hand for Mike Hall (CTS) with half a lap to go Photo ©: Rob Karman	Zak Grabowski (Hot Tubes) never gave up Photo ©: Rob Karman

Results

1 Mike Hall (Carmichael Training Systems)
2 Zak Grabowski (Hot Tubes Cycling Team)
3 Mike West (Trek Volkswagen)
4 Joe DePaemelaere 9Boulder Racing)
5 Jeff Wardell (Louisville Cyclery) 

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