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Boulder 'cross series #1
Boulder, CO, October 9, 2005
Brown, Szabo take Boulder 'Cross Series opener
On a day more typical of Belgium than Colorado, Boulder's hard-core cyclo-cross fans came out in their best rain gear, wielding large colorful umbrellas to witness the cold and wet opening race of the Boulder Cyclo-Cross Series. Shrugging off the harsh conditions, local mountain bike standouts Travis Brown (Trek) and Heather Szabo (Tokyo Joe's) came away with hard fought wins in the featured elite races.
Boulder Reservoir served as the venue for the first race of the series. Sand was the terra firma choice of the day with long rides and runs in the unusually deep nemesis. Rain soaked asphalt provided the only recovery on the five minute lap. Concerns about past year flats from the dreaded goat-heads were alleviated with a minor course change.
As the skies darkened and the rain began to fall, the elite women started off on their 45 minute trek that would see riders battle through long stretches of sandy beach along the shores of Boulder Reservoir. It was Catherine "Cat" Johnson (Pro Peleton) firing off the front on the first lap chased by a long line of Colorado's best crossers. Heather Szabo was able to power up to Cat along the beach and eventually build a 15 second lead. That gap would hold up giving her a well earned win to open her account on the young cyclo-cross season. Cat hung on for second with a rejuvenated Christina Begy (Maverick) crossing the line 40 seconds later for third place.
The sandy course began packing down as the rain started falling in earnest. With the conditions appearing to worsen the Elite men could at least look forward to faster, less taxing lines along the beach. Super D NORBA Champion Mike West (Maverick) used his fast start to create a small gap off the line but by the completion of the fist lap he had welcome company with the CU Sophomore Taylor Kneuven (Broadmark Capital) taking long turns at the front. Behind the two leaders Travis Brown was quickly bridging on his 26" mountain bike equipped with a 29'er front wheel, the "69'er". As quickly as Brown caught the leaders he left them in his wake and seemed unfazed by the prospect of a solo ride to the finish. Further behind, Chuck Coyle (Vitamin Cottage) was moving through a shattered field and making headway on the two chasers. With half the race over Coyle made contact and surging through the sandy run-up, left West to chase on his own for the remainder of the race. For a short time it seemed that Coyle's new strength in the chase would be enough to close the gap down on Brown but as soon as the threat appeared Brown found another gear and reestablished his gap which he would hold to the line for the win. Kneuven put in a last lap surge sealing second place 30 seconds down on Brown with Coyle, West and Whitey Debroux (Pro Peleton) rounding out the top five.
Although the weather was unseasonably wet and cold for Colorado, racers came out in typical large numbers for this early season opener of the five race Boulder Cyclocross Series. Racing resumes October 23rd at a brand new venue in Broomfield at Interlocken East Park where the points chase for the title continues. The success of our cyclocross scene can only happen with the generous support of our sponsors including Moots Cycles, Noodles, Case Logic, and Honey Stinger. To view the complete results and upcoming race schedule log onto: www.boulderracing.com
Results
Elite Men 1 Travis Brown (Trek) 2 Tyler Kneuven (Broadmark Capital) 3 Chuck Coyle (Rocky Mounts) 4 Mike West (Maverick) 5 Whitey Debroux (Pro Peleton) 6 Ian Ramsey 7 Doug Campbell (Primus Mootry Cyclo Cross Team) 8 Jeff Wardell (Excel Sports) 9 Andy Lee 10 Chris Jung Elite Women 1 Heather Szabo (Tokyo Joe's) 2 Cat (Pro Peleton) 3 Christina Begy (Maverick) 4 Shawnee Oswald (Red Rocks) 5 Monique Rudenburgh 6 Mary McCarty
