NORBA national MTB series #1 - E1

Boerne, Texas, USA, March 4-6, 2005

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Day 3 - March 6: Cross-country

Craig and Sydor take overall GC honours

Adam Craig
Photo ©: Mike Gladu

Today was Adam Craig's day. Not only did he win his first ever NORBA National cross-country contest, but he also claimed the overall GC for the weekend. Geoff Kabush may have won the time trial and short track stages, but Craig's cross-country performance earned him the right to stand on the podium's top step. Alison Sydor continued her weekend command over the pro women by winning today's contest as well as the GC.

The final day of this weekend's event was under cloudy skies with morning rain that turned to drizzle by the afternoon. The cross-country race determined the winners of not only the stage race, but also the Iron Grind - which was a match-up between the brave souls that conquered Friday's marathon in addition to the stage race. A weekend of rain and racing made for a deteriorated course.

"The mud had consistencies that varied from peanut butter to chalk mixed with clay," Iron Grind winner Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/Volkswagen Team) described. "There was definitely some pudding as well."

The men lined up first for three muddy laps of 8.2 miles each and Geoff Kabush (Maxxis) led the field out of the start area and up the first climb. As the men came into sight after completing their first lap, it was Kabush at the front, with Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Gary Fisher) and Adam Craig (Maxxis) chasing. Former Junior World Champion Trent Lowe (Subaru-Gary Fisher) rode 15 seconds behind making every attempt to catch the leaders. Kabush may have been the favorite to win today, but the way Craig was riding indicated he would be a strong contender.

On the first lap
Photo ©: Mike Gladu

Lap two saw Craig leave JHK behind to make contact with Kabush, and the two were battling it out at the front going into the final lap. "I gained contact with Geoff and he didn't drop me," Craig explained after the race. "I race well in the mud. I grew up in Maine racing in this stuff."

By the time the men were expected to come in for the finish, the crowd knew that Craig could very well take the win. The New England native made his decisive move with about a mile and a half remaining in the final lap. Craig explained, "I just kind of rolled past Geoff at the top of a big climb and turned the power on and got a huge gap."

Trent Lowe , who had used lap two to move into third place, continued his efforts and made it past Kabush in the final lap to claim today's silver medal. Kabush hung onto third, and Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Liam Killeen (Specialized) completed their weekend in fourth and fifth respectively.

Alison Sydor
Photo ©: Mike Gladu

The women's race saw the field spread out more quickly, with Sydor (Rocky Mountain) taking a commanding lead right away. The ladies came through for their second and final lap with Sue Haywood (Trek/Volkswagen Team) having a great day in second position, while Katerina Hanusova (Luna) was sitting in third. Kiara Bisaro (Gears Racing) and Willow Koerber both took advantage of their experience in the mud and rolled through the start finish together in fourth and fifth positions. Hayood fought hard, but Sydor rides too well in the mud and was able to maintain her position until the race's end. Haywood remained in second, while Willow Koerber moved up into third and Kiara Bisaro moved to fourth. Katerina Hanusova claimed the podium's final spot.

Also awarded this afternoon as the weekend drew to a close was the Iron Grind award which went to the top riders who raced both the stage race and the marathon. Jeremiah Bishop and Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain) deservingly took those honors. Bishop had a mechanical during the last lap of todays cross-country and he was passed by Karl Platt (Rocky Mountain), who was the current second-place contestant in the Iron Grind. "I decided I could run it and still pull it off," the Virginia rider commented after receiving his Iron Grind award.

The 2005 Shimano NORBA National Mountain Bike Series continues in McDowell Mountain Park, just northeast of Phoneix, Ariz, March 17-20.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mike Gladu/www.velodrome.com

The Col du Supergrind road climb before the clouds rolled in
On the first lap of the Men's X-C, Marathon winner Jeremiah Bishop (TREK/VW) leads a group up into the clouds on the Col du Supergrind.
Adam Craig (Giant) looks relatively clean after half a lap leading the Cross Country event in the mud.
Geoff Kabush (Maxxis) keeps Craig on a short but dirty leash
Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher) rolled through almost a minute back from the leaders
Trent Lowe (Subaru/Gary Fisher) was closing fast on his teammate
Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) in sixth was looking fresh and closing in on a podium spot
Liam Killeen (Specialized) in ninth only needed to bide his time
Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain/Business Objects) picked up right where she left off with the Short Track, leading the Women's Cross Country from pillar to post
Susan Haywood (Trek/VW) in second place still has her head up and some colour in her cheeks on the first lap of the X-C.
Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher) close behind Haywood in third
Katerina Hanusova (Luna) in fourth on the first lap
Kiara Bisaro (Gears Racing) in fifth
Geoff Kabush moved into the lead on the second lap
Adam Craig sat on Kabush's wheel
Trent Lowe moved up to third overall
Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski dropped back to fourth
Liam Killeen moved onto the podium with a half lap remaining
Jeremiah Bishop had fifth in his sights with a half lap to go
Alison Sydor powers off the final turn to take the X-C win
Alison Sydor takes the NORBA season opener
Alison Sydor wins the third of three events, taking the overall Women's win
Susan Haywood rolls in second
Willow Koerber acknowledges the cheers of the crowd for third place
Willow Koerber shakes off the memory of Texas she won't be taking home
Kiara Bisaro seals up fourth overall
Kiara Bisaro heads off to the bike wash
A free mud bath at the Tapatio Resort for Willow Koerber
Adam Craig makes a splash on the way to the men's X-C win, his 48second lead was enough to take the overall GC victory by 11 seconds
Geoff Kabush left it all on the trail to come in third
Geoff Kabush has a moment to reflect
A quick rinse for Geoff Kabush reveals his trademark sideburns
A quick wipe of the number plate reveal Barry Wicks (Kona) at the line
Jeremiah Bishop's mangled drivetrain explains his running the last three miles and 20 minute time loss
The line is long at the bike wash
Geoff Kabush looks a little more human after a hot shower
Adam Craig cleans up well
The Women's GC Podium: Hanusova, Koerber, Sydor, Haywood, Bisaro
The Men's GC Podium: Killeen, Kabush, Craig, Lowe, Horgan-Kobelski
Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain/Business Objects) shows off the crown for the Queen of the Supergrind competition (best time for three events).
Reeves and Jeremiah Bishop are the Queen and King of the Supergrind competition

Results

Pro Men
 
1 Adam Craig (Giant)                                     2.24.13
2 Trent Lowe (Subaru-Gary Fisher)                           0.48
3 Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis)                                1.10
4 Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Gary Fisher)               2.52
5 Liam Killeen (Specialized)                                3.25
6 Carl Decker (Giant)                                       8.03
7 Michael Broderick (Kenda/Seven)                          11.14
8 Barry Wicks (Kona/Les Gets)                              12.49
9 Todd Wells (Gt/Hyundi)                                   12.58
10 Roddi Lega (Norco Factory)                              16.09
11 Sid Taberly (Specialized)                               16.18
12 Ricky Federau (Gearsracing)                             16.57
13 Karl Platt (Rocky Mountain Business Objects)            17.14
14 Takahiro Ogasawara (Subaru-Gary Fisher)                 17.35
15 Mathieu Toulouse (Team Maxxis)                          18.10
16 Jay Henry (Ford/Specialized)                            18.30
17 Chris Eatough (Trek/VW)                                 19.18
18 Christian Favata                                        20.14
19 Alan Obye (U23 National team)                           21.02
20 Sam Schultz (U23 National team)                         21.33
21 Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW)                               22.36
22 Keiichi Tsujiura (Bridgeston)                           23.51
23 Kris Sneddon (Kona/Clark)                               24.03
24 Nick Waite (U23 National team)                          28.52
25 Bart Gillespie (Biogen-Ide)                             29.27
26 Jesse Jakomait (Dark Horse)                             31.13
27 Raita Suzuki (Bridgeston)                               33.03
28 Mark Weir (WTB/Fox Shox)                                33.26
29 Peter Wedge (Kona/Les Gets)                             34.04
30 Thomas Spannring (Stein Erik)                           37.06
31 Thomas Turner (Cannondale)                              37.25
32 Amon Pease (Intense)                                    38.40
33 Guido Visser (Bromont/Cycling)                          41.14
34 Charles Storm (BTD Racing)                              42.05
35 Brent Miller (WTB/Fox Shox)                             44.05
36 Robert Cotton (Structural)                              44.13
37 Cody Peterson (3d Racing)                               44.40
38 Michael Janelle (Tokyo Joes)                            45.49
39 Bryan Fawley                                            46.07
40 Douglas Ryden (Pro Cycling)                             48.29
41 Eric Ransom (Tamarack R)                                51.41
42 Evan Plews (Santiam Bi)                                 52.20
43 Nat Ross (Subaru- Gary Fisher)                          53.19
44 Tim Carleton (Sport Swap)                             1.03.31
45 Todd Johnson (Jackson Ho)                             1.04.57
46 Andy Mills (Trek/Volkswagen)                          1.29.15
47 Lucas Livermon (Pacesetter)                           1.35.12
DNF Eric Jellum (Ford/Giant)
DNF Ryan Trebon (Kona/Clark)
DNF Martin Lazarski (Rocky Mountain Business Objects)
DNF Carsten Bresser (Rocky Mountain Business Objects)
DNF Joshua Powers (Red Rock)
DNF Nathan Phillips (Solar Ecli)
DNF Earl Bradley (Trek Facto)
DNF Jesse Rients (Nature Val)
DNF Nick Ranno (Trek Rocky)
DNF Sam Jurekovic (U23 National team)
DNF Matt Gordon (Team Six)
DNF Seamus McGrath (Haro Bicyc)
DNF Charles Pendry (Inland - B)
DNF Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain Business Objects/)
DNF Jason Sager (Team Hotel)
DNF Chris Sheppard (Haro Bicyc)
DNF Josh Kravetz (Cannondale)
DNF Eric Jones (Biogen-Ide)
 
Pro Women
 
1 Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain Business Objects)         1.53.42
2 Susan Haywood (Trek-Volks)                                2.19
3 Willow Koerber (Subaru-Gary Fisher)                       3.29
4 Kiara Bisaro (Gearsracing)                                4.08
5 Katerina Hanusova (Luna Women)                            5.06
6 Heather Irmiger (Tokyo Joes)                              6.32
7 Mary McConneloug (Kenda/Seven)                           10.11
8 Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain Business Objects)        11.03
9 Kerry Barnholt (Subaru-Gary Fisher)                      11.34
10 Georgia Gould (Tamarack)                                12.35
11 Alison Dunlap (Luna Women)                              16.02
12 Dara Marks-Marino (Ford/Specialized)                    16.34
13 Melissa Thomas (Tokyo Joes)                             18.11
14 Kelli Emmett (Ford/Specialized)                         19.04
15 Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (Ford/Specialized)                 20.44
16 Jenny Copnall (Subaru-Gary Fisher)                      21.13
17 Paula Burks (Defeet)                                    24.30
18 Shannon Gibson (Crazy Cat)                              31.30
19 Kathy Sherwin (Biogen-Ide)                              31.47
20 Kimberly Flynn (Defeet)                                 34.17
21 Laura Bowles (Back To Di)                               36.15
22 Kristy Mantz (Snowshow/D)                               36.20
23 Megan Monroe                                            37.38
24 Carolyn Popovic (Bike Works)                            40.38
25 Mandi Riddle (Snowshoe)                                 40.39
26 Monique Sawicki (Team Mata)                             41.36
27 Kristi Lewis (Sun & Ski)                                44.22
28 Zephanie Blasi (Kenda Tire)                             45.10
29 Laura Anderson (Bicycle Jo)                             45.44
30 Nina Baum (Cannondale)                                  47.05
31 Jaqueline Mourao (Scottusa/R)                           52.47
32 Rebecca Gross (Sun And Sk)                              53.46
33 Suzanne Aguero (Orbea/Mad)                              57.53
34 Cheryl Olson (Advantage)                              1.27.08
35 Robin Farina (Cumberland)                             1.29.41
36 DJ Morisette (Ellsworth/)                             1.31.25
37 Hillary Harrison (Kenda/Pinn)                         2.01.23
DNF Marie Helene Premont (Rocky Mountain Business Objects)
DNF Shonny Vanlandingham (Luna Women)
DNF Alicia Hamilton (Dark Horse)
DNF Theresa Mattingly
DNF Lyne Bessette (Elicycle/L)
DNF Jennifer Tilley (Sunflower)
DNF Kyia Malenkovich (Headmethon)
DNF Erin Winter (Trek)
  
Pro Men's Overall GC
 
1 Adam Craig (Giant)                                     3.01.03
2 Trent Lowe (Subaru-Gary Fisher)                           0.11
3 Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis)                                0.30
4 Jeremy Horgan-Kobelsk (Subaru-Gary Fisher)                3.48
5 Liam Killeen (Specialized)                                4.34
6 Carl Decker (Giant)                                      12.41
7 Barry Wicks (Kona/Les Gets)                              13.08
8 Michael Broderick (Kenda/Seven Cycles)                   13.18
9 Todd Wells (GT/Hyundi)                                   15.19
10 Sid Taberly (Specialized)                               16.52
11 Roddi Lega (Norco Factory Team)                         18.07
12 Mathieu Toulouse (Team Maxxis)                          18.57
13 Ricky Federau (Gearsracing.Com)                         18.59
14 Karl Platt (Rocky Mountain Busin)                       21.02
15 Takahiro Ogasawara (Subaru-Gary Fisher)                 21.29
16 Jay Henry (Ford/Specialized)                            24.44
17 Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW)                               25.40
18 Christian Favata                                        26.11
19 Alan Obye (U23 National Team)                           26.29
20 Keiichi Tsujiura (Bridgestone Anchor)                   27.29
21 Sam Schultz (U23 National Team)                         27.30
22 Kris Sneddon (Kona/Clarks/Lesgets)                      30.27
23 Nick Waite (U23 National Team)                          32.25
24 Bart Gillespie (Biogen-Idec)                            32.55
25 Peter Wedge (Kona/Les Gets)                             35.11
26 Jesse Jakomait (Dark Horse Racing)                      36.00
27 Raita Suzuki (Bridgestone Anchor)                       36.56
28 Mark Weir (Wtb/Fox Shox/Santa C)                        38.50
29 Amon Pease (Intense)                                    42.35
30 Thomas Turner (Cannondale Pro Mtb T)                    43.11
31 Thomas Spannring (Stein Eriksen Sport)                  43.56
32 Brent Miller (Wtb/Fox Shox/Santa C)                     44.47
33 Guido Visser (Bromont/Cycles)                           47.28
34 Charles Storm (Btd Racing)                              47.52
35 Cody Peterson (3D Racing)                               48.08
36 Robert Cotton (Structural System)                       51.19
37 Bryan Fawley                                            52.38
38 Michael Janelle (Tokyo Joes/Go Lite)                    53.09
39 Douglas Ryden (Pro Cycling)                             55.02
40 Eric Ransom (Tamarack Resort)                           57.27
41 Evan Plews (Santiam Bicycles)                           59.03
42 Nat Ross (Subaru- Gary Fisher)                        1.00.55
43 Tim Carleton (Sport Swap Racing)                      1.10.16
44 Todd Johnson (Jackson Hole Mtn Res)                   1.11.50
45 Andy Mills (Trek/Volkswagen/Jbl)                      1.35.09
46 Lucas Livermon (Pacesetter Steel Ser)                 1.42.03

 
Pro Women's Overall GC
 
1 Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain Business Objects)
2 Susan Haywood (Trek-Volks)
3 Willow Koerber (Subaru-Gary Fisher)
4 Kiara Bisaro (Gearsracing)
5 Katerina Hanusova (Luna Women)

Iron Grind
 
Men Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/Volkswagen Team)
Women Gretchen Reeves (Rocky Mountain)