NORBA Series #2 - E2

Snowshow, WV, USA, June 14-15, 2003

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Race 3 - June 15: Short-track cross-country

Horgan-Kobelski, Redden score short track success

By Andy Lee, USA Cycling

American National Champion, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, CO; RLX-Ralph Lauren) and Canadian, Chrissy Redden (Subaru-Gary Fisher) each took home short track gold this afternoon on a rain ravaged course in the final day of competition at round two of the NORBA National Championship Mountain Bike Series in Snowshoe, WV.

A steady drizzle that began in the morning lasted throughout the event, adding another challenging element onto an already demanding course. The philosophy in both the men's and women's races was simple, stay at the front and away from any potential trouble that might arise from the sloppy conditions.

With that in mind, the women's race opened at a rapid pace, and it wasn't long until the slick course claimed its first victim. A lap one crash hindered the efforts of defending champ and yesterday's winner, Jimena Florit (RLX Ralph Lauren) who got caught behind, creating an impossible gap to close in such a short distance. With Florit at the back of the pack, and Alison Dunlap (Colorado Springs, CO; Luna Chix) not starting due to injury, the race was animated by Melanie McQuaid (Can, Ford Outfitters), Sue Haywood (Davis, WV; Trek-Volkswagen), and Redden, who managed to put themselves in the lead of group of ten riders. Also in the mix were Luna Chix teammates, Katerina Hanusova (CZE) and Shonny Vanlandingham (Durango, CO) making up for the absence of Dunlap.

As the pace in the break maintained its intensity, attacks out of the group failed until Haywood attacked on the slight climb just after the start-finish area with two laps remaining. Only Redden could match Haywood's effort as she gave chase and tacked on. As the duo reached the last corner 100 meters from the finish, Haywood appeared to have the victory wrapped up until a slight slip on the pavement and a surge by Redden dashed Haywood's hopes. Redden took full advantage of the mishap and out-sprinted Haywood to the line for the top spot on the podium.

A humble Haywood explained the last corner after the race. "I was over-geared, in way too big of a gear. And I went to shift like I did every other time [in the corner] and my hand slipped off the shifter. I couldn't get up out of the corner."

Redden, emphasizing the difficulty to make a pass, benefited from an opportunistic move. "In the last two laps Sue and I knew that I couldn't get around her. She had made a mistake in the last corner a couple of times before, so I took a different line than her, thinking it's my only opportunity, and she fumbled there and left the door wide open and I was ready for it."

Missing from today's competition was Dunlap, who suffered a crash on a downhill section of yesterday's cross country event. Dunlap's crash resulted in a third degree separation of her shoulder. The 2001 World Champion is hoping to be back in action for the fourth round of the NORBA NCMBS at Schweitzer Mountain, ID, July 24-28.

The men's event would once again mirror the women's in terms of strategy as 58 men lined up in the rain for the start. As expected, the pace was high, and after ten minutes of racing, eight riders made the front selection led by Seamus McGrath (Can; Haro-Lee Dungarees) who spent much of the race off the front of the group which included yesterday's winner, Ryder Hesjedal (Can; Subaru-Gary Fisher), Horgan-Kobelski, Todd Wells (Durango, CO; Mongoose-Hyundai), Chris Sheppard (Can; Haro-Lee Dungarees), Geoff Kabush (Can; Kona-Clark), Paul Rowney (Aus; Sobe-Cannondale), and Travis Brown (Boulder, CO; Trek-Volkswagen).

McGrath stayed away from his chasers until Kabush lead the group back, only to see McGrath and Kabush create a break of their own. On the short climb, with four laps remaining, Hesjedal put in a fierce attack bringing the original group back together. As time dwindled, Brown tried his hand at an attack, but it was Horgan-Kobelski's effort with two laps to go that stuck. Creating an insurmountable gap, Horgan-Kobelski held on for the win as he soloed across the line for his first ever NORBA NCMBS short track victory.

"Seamus was off for a bit and the pace never let up. Travis attacked when I went by him. I put in hard surge and got a small gap, then I heard three laps to go and I decided I would go for broke from there to the finish. I just kept my head down and held about a five second gap, I surprised myself because I was dead at the end", Horgan-Kobelski explained of his late race move that resulted in victory."

Round two of the NORBA NCMBS concludes today with the downhill event.

Photos

Images by Andy Lee/www.usacycling.org

Race central overlooking a cloud-filled valley
Jimena Florit gets sheltered from the rain
The women on the start line
First lap and already covered in mud
The lead group cruisin' in the mud
More fun in the mud
The lead group of women
Redden takes the sprint from Haywood
Women's STXC podium
The men off to a clean start
McGrath leads Wells and Horgan-Kobelski in the mud
Mcgrath protecting his solo break
Horgan-Kobelski on the front
Horgan-Kobelski sails to victory
Men's STXC podium

Results

Pro men
 
1 Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA) Rlx Ralph Lauren            20.57.93
2 Geoff Kabush (Can) Kona Clarks                            0.04.24
3 Paul Rowney (Aus) Sobe Cannondale                         0.04.93
4 Travis Brown (USA) Trek/Volkswagen                        0.05.59
5 Seamus Mcgrath (Can) Haro Lee Dungarees                   0.08.27
6 Chris Sheppard (Can) Haro Lee Dugarees                    0.14.88
7 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Subaru-Gary Fisher                   0.20.18
8 Doug Swanson (USA) Trek/Vw/Jbl                            0.33.88
9 Todd Wells (USA) Mongoose/Hyundi                          0.38.16
10 Jeff Hall (USA) Salsa Cycles                             0.39.15
11 Carl Swenson (USA) Rlx Ralph Lauren                      0.39.77
12 Andreas Hestler (Can) Rocky Mountians                    0.42.16
13 Jay Henry (USA) Specialized Usa                          0.42.44
14 Ryan Trebon (USA) Krystal/Wcca                           0.46.94
15 Walker Ferguson (USA) Subaru - Gary Fisher               lapped
16 Matthew Toulouse (Can) Gearsracing.Com
17 Peter Wedge (Can) Kona Clarks Factory Team
18 Alan Obye (USA) Balance Bar/Devo
19 Cody Peterson (USA) 3 D Easton
20 Jimi Mortenson (USA) Specialized
22 Nick Waite (USA) Team West Virginia
23 Julian Hine (Can) Gearsracing.Com
24 Ben Moody (USA) Dried Plums/Orbitz
25 Brian Matter (USA) Hayes Brakes
26 James Van Toever (Can) Morati/Honeywell
27 Perren Delacour (Aus) Yeti/ Rpm
28 Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Trek/Vw
29 Eric Jones (USA) Team Biogen
30 Russ Tiles (USA) Sling Shot Fac Team
31 Barry Wicks (USA) Kona-Clarks Factory
32 Bart Gillespie (USA) Biogen
33 Jeremy Powers (USA) Ncc/Bikereg.Com
34 Thomas Turner (USA) Sobe/Cannondale
35 Michael Broderick (USA) Seven Cycles
36 Brent Miller (Aus) Bianchi/Kenda
37 Clint Muhlfeld (USA) Gary Fisher/ Hammer Gel Nutrition
38 Kashi Leuchs (NZl) Maxxis/Trek
39 Jorel Hendershot (USA) Sobe Cannondale
40 Duncan Meyers (USA) Soulcraft
41 Aiden Lefmann (Aus) Sobe Cannondale
42 Micheal Lee (USA) Trek/Vw/Wbl
43 Jesse Rients (USA) Penn Cycles/Nature Valley
44 Kris Sneddon (Can) Kona Clarks Factory Team
45 Adam Bucklin (USA) Dried Plum/Orbiz
46 Christian Cuesta Navarrete (Mex) Team Morati/Honeywell
47 Brian Astell (USA) Independent Fabrications
48 Matt Pacocha (USA) Ritchey/K2
49 Troy Barry (USA) Jhmr/Marmot
50 John Foley (USA) Dried Plums/Orbitz
51 Neil Shirley (USA) Trek Vw West
52 Dan Swanson (USA)
53 Matt Shriver (USA) 3D Racing/Easton
54 Scott Keller (USA) Telcel/Speedbikes
55 Stefano Barberi (USA) Mapei
56 Adam Craig (USA) Giant/Pearl Izumi
DNF Earl Bradley (USA) Trek/Vw
DNF Brent Bookwalter (USA) Slingshot Factory Race Team
 
Pro women
 
1 Chrissy Redden (Can) Subaru-Gary Fisher                  22.14.15
2 Susan Haywood (USA) Trek-Volkswagen                       0.00.77
3 Katerina Hanusova (USA) Luna Women Mtb                    0.03.43
4 Mary Mcconneloug (USA) Seven Cycles                       0.04.29
5 Melanie Mcquaid (Can) Ford Outfitters                     0.05.92
6 Dara Marks (USA) Sobe/Cannondale                          0.08.64
7 Willow Koerber (USA) Rlx Ralph Lauren                     0.13.23
8 Shonny Vanlandingham (USA) Luna Womens Mtb Team           0.17.63
9 Lanie Mason (USA) Cane Creek                              0.23.97
10 Trish Sinclair (Can) Gearsracing.Com                     0.37.45
11 Jimena Florit (Arg) Rlx Ralph Lauren                     0.42.44
12 Mary Grigson (Aus) Subaru/Gary Fisher                    0.43.53
13 Jamie Whitmore-Cardenas (USA) Felt/Michelin/Bell         0.45.14
14 Kelli Emmett (USA) Hillenbrand Racing                    0.50.95
15 Dellys Franke (Aus) Rocky Mountain/Crystal Decisions     0.55.97
16 Lesley Tomlinson (Can) Rocky Mt Crystal Decision         1.09.83
17 Sara Bresnick (USA) Dried Plums/Orbitz                   lapped
18 Nina Baum (USA) Lenz Sport
19 Sonia Lopez (Mex) Telcel-Speedbikes
20 Karen Dewolf (Can) Dried Plums/Orbitz
21 Susy Pryde (USA) Specialized
22 Lea Davison (USA) Team Devo/Balance
23 Lisa Matlock (USA) Ford Outfitters
24 Jennifer Smith (NZl) Trek/Rocky Mtn Region
25 Barbara Howe (USA) G6
26 Kathy Sherwin (USA) Sobe Cannondale
27 Tiffany Kenny (USA) Ford Outfitters
28 Sally Warner (USA) Biogen
29 Tonya Laffey (USA) Mtbchick.Com/Cannondale
30 Dorothy Wong (USA) Kelly Bike Co
31 Rachel Massey (USA) Ford Outfitters
32 Alicia Mayer (USA) Orbea/Copper Canyon Lodges
33 Kimberly Flynn (USA) Team Peggy
34 Jennifer Todd (USA) Sobe Cannondale
35 Lisa Peck (USA) Biogen
36 Alisha Engel (USA) Central Coast Cycling
37 Robin Mcgee (USA) Jackson Hole/Marmot
38 Nicole Habay (USA) Speed Bikes
39 Shari Hausbeck (USA) Trek-Vw/Rocky Mtn
40 Becky Smith (USA) Southpark Cycles/ E Caps

Standings after two rounds

Pro Men

1 Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA) Rlx Ralph Lauren                 396 pts
2 Geoff Kabush (Can) Kona Clarks                                322
3 Seamus Mcgrath (Can) Haro Lee Dungarees                       320
4 Paul Rowney (Aus) Sobe Cannondale                             318
5 Todd Wells (USA) Mongoose/Hyundi                              310
6 Chris Sheppard (Can) Haro Lee Dugarees                        290
7 Travis Brown (USA) Trek/Volkswagen                            288
8 Jeff Hall (USA) Salsa Cycles                                  288
9 Carl Swenson (USA) Rlx Ralph Lauren                           280
10 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Subaru-Gary Fisher                      272
11 Andreas Hestler (Can) Rocky Mountians                        260
12 Doug Swanson (USA) Trek/Vw/Jbl                               258
13 Jay Henry (USA) Specialized Usa                              248
14 Ryan Trebon (USA) Krystal/Wcca                               244
15 Matthew Toulouse (Can) Gearsracing.Com                       232
16 Jimi Mortenson (USA) Specialized                             226
17 Walker Ferguson (USA) Subaru - Gary Fisher                   222
18 Cody Peterson (USA) 3 D Easton                               222
19 Peter Wedge (Can) Kona Clarks Factory Team                   216
20 Alan Obye (USA) Balance Bar/Devo                             212
21 Jose Adrian Bonilla (CRc) Costa Rica Olympic Team            210
22 Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Trek/Vw                                202
23 Nick Waite (USA) Team West Virginia                          200
24 Brent Miller (Aus) Bianchi/Kenda                             182
25 Julian Hine (Can) Gearsracing.Com                            182
26 Eric Jones (USA) Team Biogen                                 178
27 Barry Wicks (USA) Kona-Clarks Factory                        176
28 Michael Broderick (USA) Seven Cycles                         170
29 Roland Green (Can) Trek/Volkswagen                           130
30 Frank Mapel (USA) Specilized Usa                             126
31 Ricky Federau (Can) Gearsracing.Com                          116
32 Carl Decker (USA) Giant/Pearl Izumi                          110
33 Ben Moody (USA) Dried Plums/Orbitz                           104
34 Ziranda Madrigal (Mex) Turbo                                 104
35 Brian Matter (USA) Hayes Brakes                              102
36 James Van Toever (Can) Morati/Honeywell                      100
37 Perren Delacour (Aus) Yeti/ Rpm                               98
38 Adam Craig (USA) Giant/Pearl Izumi                            94
39 Russ Tiles (USA) Sling Shot Fac Team                          92
40 Brent Bookwalter (USA) Slingshot Factory Race Team            90
41 Bart Gillespie (USA) Biogen                                   88
42 Jeremy Powers (USA) Ncc/Bikereg.Com                           86
43 Thomas Turner (USA) Sobe/Cannondale                           84
44 Christian Cuesta Navarrete (Mex) Team Morati/Honeywell        82
45 Derek Wilkerson (USA) Hillenbrand Racing                      80
46 Clint Muhlfeld (USA) Gary Fisher/ Hammer Gel Nutrition        78
47 Deiber Esquivel Benavides (CRc) Costa Rica Olympic Team       78
48 Kashi Leuchs (NZl) Maxxis/Trek                                76
49 Diego Garavito (Col) Estow-Clif Bar                           74
50 Jorel Hendershot (USA) Sobe Cannondale                        74
51 Matt Shriver (USA) 3D Racing/Easton                           72
52 Duncan Meyers (USA) Soulcraft                                 72