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Xilinx 'Cross/Boulder racing series #4
Longmont, CO, November 23, 2003
Snow brings out true 'crossers in series finale
By Matt Pacocha
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With a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, and temperatures topping out in the 20's Boulder Racing's final series race proved to be classic cyclocross in all forms. Freezing temps, snow, ice and mud brought the true cyclocrossers out to test their skills. As the day progressed the snow on the well-ridden track turned the dirt to mud, making clipless pedals a disadvantage. The master's winner claimed the victory on a retro pair of toe clips and straps. Both pro races proved to have it a bit easier, with the mud refreezing during the races and making it much less sticky, and making the mechanical failures less frequent than in the earlier races.
In the women's race all of the key players were in attendance, Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain), Kerry Barnholt (Sobe/ Cannondale), Julie Emerman (Epic Roots) and of course Colorado's cross queen Heather Szabo (Tokyo Joe's). Of note Heather had the Boulder Cross Series in the bag garnering enough points in race three to secure the series win, but Heather being a true cyclocross racer could not pass up the chance to test her skills in the adverse conditions of the day. A hard start up the snow packed start finish drag, gave Kerry Barnholt and Gretchen Reeves a small gap. Gretchen held on, and even challenged Kerry for the lead, running shoulder to shoulder on the first run. As soon a Kerry's cannondale hit the ground, she let everyone else know they would be racing for second. Gretchen let a small gap open and that was all Kerry needed. Behind Heather Szabo and Julie Emmerman were locked in battle, with two to go Julie and Heather were able to bridge the gap to Gretchen who had been riding in no woman's land between Kerry and the chase group. On the final lap in the same spot she had lost Kerry, Gretchen put in a hard effort and gained a gap on Julie and Heather, she was able to hold it to the end. Kerry crossed the line with a huge gap and her arms high taking her second consecutive win in Boulder Racing's Cyclocross Series. Gretchen, Julie and Heather followed for second, third, and fourth respectively.
The men's race was absent many of the big players, with Marc Gullickson (Redline) on a break, and Travis Brown (Trek) out sick, their absence again opened the doors for some of Colorado's less well known Pros. A tight battle had shaped up before the start between series leader Jonathan Baker (Pro Peleton) and Christian McCarthy (Vitamin Cottage) Jon and Christian started the race only separated by one point. The start was fast and somewhat sketchy up the snow covered start/finish drag. Sixteen-year-old Brady Kappius (5280/Tokyo Joe's) came off the front like a bullet leading the race for the first lap, all of major players fell into a chase group behind. On lap two upon catching Brady eighteen-year-old Zak Grabowski (Hot Tubes) became the animator going to the front of a group containing Brady, Christian McCarthy (Vitamin Cottage), Jon Baker (Pro Pelaton), Mike West (Full Cycle) and Matt Pacocha (Red Rocks Velo). Brady was one of the first to fall off, Matt and Mike soon followed both having minor bike problems. Brandon was jumping a ditch that Zak wasn't able to, so Brandon was able to use that advantage to gain a gap on Zak. Christian flatted, leaving Brandon and Jon to battle for the lead. Brandon was able to get a small gap and hold it until an untimely mechanical forced a bike change onto an ill adjusted spare bike, costing him precious time, and allowing Jon the race-winning gap, Brandon was able to hold onto second place to the end. Jon was able secure the win and the series win, Zac finished strong holding onto third place. Christian recovered from his flat in fourth and Matt was able to hold off a hard charging Brady for fifth place.
Race notes
Boulder Racing's Final Series race was dominated by a huge crop of up and coming junior racers. In the Cat 4 race, Daniel Summerhill (RMCEF) finished in an impressive 2nd place. The Cat 3 race was won by 15-year-old Alex Coelho (Rio Grande), with 16-year-old Adam MaGrath (Nema) taking 7th. And in the Pro/Open race 16 year old Brady Kappius (Tokyo Joe's/Subaru-5280) and 18 year old Zac Grabouski (Hot Tubes) rode extremely well taking sixth and third respectively. Straight from this pro's mouth " All you pro cyclists out there Colorado has a crop of phonemes coming, so look out". See BoulderRacing.com for full results, more pictures, and a full event schedule.
And as always Boulder Racing would like to extend a most gracious thanks to all of our sponsors: Medically Based Fitness, Clif Bar, Excel Sports, Rocky Mounts, Case Logic, Moots, Noodles & Co, Maxxis, Accelerade, Deuter, Gofast, K2 Bikes, Glacier Ice Cream, Vermarc Sports, New Belgium Brewery.
Photography
Images by Bret Wade/www.fischer-wade.com
- Peter Stetina (Tokyo Joes's) won the Junior race solo.
- Dennis Farrell (Red Rocks) leads eventual winner Kark Keister (Cody Racing) in the 35+ race.
- Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain) leads eventual winner Kerry Barnholt (Sobe) as series leader Heather Szabo (Tokyo Joe's) chases.
- The temperature was a crisp 15 degrees F during the early races.
- Thirteen year old prodigy Alex Coelho (Team Rio Grande) schooled the 3's, winning by 30 seconds.
- There was still snow pack on the roads for the final elite race.
- Sixteen year old Brady Kapius (Tokyo Joe's) leads the first lap of the elite race. "I wasn't even going all that hard" he said later.
- The prairie dogs all kept their heads low throughout the race and no injuries were reported.
- We go out of our way to find a mud bog and then mother nature makes it a moot point.
- A cold but beautiful day in Boulder County.
- Frank Hibbits (Cody Racing) had a solid ride in the elite race after placing in the 35+.
- Zak Grabowski (Hot Tubes) took over the lead from Kapius.
- Brandon Dwight (7up) then reeled Grabowski in and pulled away.
- Kapius plows through the mud bog.
- Patrick Brown (Gary Fisher/Subaru) jumping a ditch crossing.
- Mike West (Trek VW) shows good form through the log run.
- Mike West (Trek VW) shows good form on the runup.
- Matt Opperman (Pro Peleton) on the transition to the runup.
- Series leader Jonathon Baker (Pro Peleton) has race leader Dwight in his sights as Grabowski (right) hangs on for third.
- Baker defended his series lead with a classy come-from-behind win.
Images by Boulder Racing
- The open men’s start was fast and furious
- 16-year-old Brady Kappius (Tokyo Joe’s/Subaru-5280) led the pro field for the first lap
- Brandon Dwight (7-Up/ Maxxis) led parts of the men’s main event.
- 18yr old Zak Grabowski (Hot Tubes) was an early race animator and finished in 3rd
- Christian McCarthy (Vitamin Cottage) rode strongly to challenge for the series win
- Jon Baker (Pro Peloton) wore the series leader's jersey and was determined to keep it.
- Matt Pacocha (Red Rocks Velo) leads Christian McCarthy who was forced to deal with an untimely puncture
- Brandon Dwight (7-Up/ Maxxis) chased hard but could not contest for the race win
- Race day winner and series overall winner Jonathan Baker (Pro Peloton)
- Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain) leads Kerry Barnholt (Sobe/ Cannondale) on the opening lap.
- Series winner Heather Szabo (Tokyo Joe’s) rode strongly in 4th place all day
- Leaders Kerry Barnholt (Sobe/Cannondale) and Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain)
- The women’s field chases hard.
- Overall combined junior category winner Alex Howes (LRT)
- Cat 3 winner 15 year old Alex Coelho (Rio Grande)
- Junior Adam McGrath (Nema) raced with the 3’s and finished in 7th
- Thanks to Xilinx, their campus is an incredible venue as anyone who has raced there can attest to.
Results
Women Pro/1/2/3 1 Kerry Barnholt (Sobe/ Cannondale) 2 Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain) 3 Julie Emmerman (Epic Roots) 4 Heather Szabo (Tokyo Joe's) 5 Lora Heckman (Laural St Racing) 6 Margell Abel (Boulderracing.Com) 7 Nicole Wangsgard (La Forza) 8 Christina Begy 9 Anne Lannan (Valdoro) 10 Meghan Blades Men Pro/1/2 1 Jonathan Baker (Pro Peleton Velo) 2 Brandon Dwight (7-Up/Maxxis) 3 Zak Grabowski (Hot Tubes) 4 Christian McCarthy (Vitamin Cottage) 5 Matt Pacocha (Red Rocks Velo) 6 Brady Kappius (5280/Subaru- Tokyo Joe's) 7 Jeff Wardell (Louisville Cyclery) 8 Chris Hopwood (Gary Fisher) 9 Jon Cariveau (Moots) 10 Nick Martin (Trek/VW) Juniors 1 Peter Stetina (Tokyo Joes's) Masters 35+ 1 Kark Keister (Cody Racing)
