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NORBA national series #2 (NE)

Alpine Valley, Wisconsin, June 14-16, 2002

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Day 2 - June 15: Short track Cross-country

Results

Short-track wins for world champions

World Champions Roland Green (Trek/Volkswagen) and Alison Dunlap (Luna Chix) had to scrap for a few laps in the short track. Both riders in the rainbow jerseys were given some early challenges, but both riders patiently figured out how to attack and win solo victories in the Balance Bar Short Track. Both riders scored their second victory of the weekend.

"It's bike racing and that's part of it," said Green, who failed to finish the first round event. Hence the world champion had to start with plate number 38 and start from the third row. "Everybody's racing real hard. It took me a while to fight through the traffic." In the first-lap dash, roadie Mark McCormack powered through a mud bog only to slide out on a wooden bridge, taking down Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (RLX Polo Sport) and Chris Sheppard (Haro/Lee Dungarees). Green punched his way up to the leaders, being driven by Ryder Hesjedal (Subaru/Gary Fisher) and Jose Adrian Bonilla (CafŽ de Costa Rica/Pizza Hut), and attached to the rear of a group numbering 22.

This course differed entirely from the short circuit of round one at Snow Summit. A longer, muddier course with a climb made for lap times of 2:20 common. The climb, a grade on the far side of the course, initially proved enticing for attacks. But the descent afterwards nullified most attacks, meaning strategies had to be adjusted. In one move Green pushed up to sixth, seemingly just to improve his view of the front. With a second move he rocketed off the front waving to his friend, Hesjedal, to join. But Green would have to go alone.

"He had a rough day yesterday having to ride the cross country on a broken saddle," said Green. Green went clear and the chins of the chasers collectively dropped. Animating their race, however, was the presence of Doug Swanson (Trek/VW), a rookie pro from Minnesota. When Green left, a who's who of American mountain bike racing followed. They raced strategically, each careful not to pull too hard. This tactic only allowed a group of chasers to catch on with three laps to go.

"I was done, I thought," said Paul Rowney. "I was looking for cans of Bud from the crowd, but nobody would give me any so I kept riding. Then I saw we were bringing them back." With two laps to go, Green had more than a minute gap, and the chasers numbered 11 with new attachments hitting on the back stretch.

"I never knew that Chris had joined us," said Seamus McGrath of his Haro/Lee Dungarees teammate Chris Sheppard, who caught with a half lap to go. "It's just great to know that somebody's in there covering you." Rowney would be the lone rider to push up to the front and hit the podium.

Green won with a minute gap. Then came the sprint for second. Hesjedal drove hard down the hill and onto the pavement. He commanded the field to the line for second place, holding his series lead. McGrath finished third, followed by Geoff Kabush (Kona) and Rowney. Horgan-Kobelski would be top American in seventh. To the delight of the crowd, Swanson held on for 11th.

Women

Alison Dunlap had just one advantage over her male counterpart, Green, in her race. She got to start on the front row. She pushed forward with an early surge by Jimena Florit (RLX Polo Sport) and Chrissy Redden (Subaru/Gary Fisher) and plowed through a muddy bog and then crossed a covered bridge on the course. On the first lap a pile up at the bridge entrance pinned several favorites including Mary Grigson (Subaru/Gary Fisher) and Sue Haywood (Trek/Volkswagen).

The lead group settled in with Florit, Redden, Dunlap, Mary McConneloug (Seven), and Alison Sydor (Trek/Volkswagen). As this lead group simmered into a negative battle of wills, one rider joined to play a critical role. Kelli Emmett (Luna Chix) attached to the leaders, went to the front, and delivered a present to her teammate, Dunlap. She attacked hard. "Kelli's move was great for me," said Dunlap. "It changed the whole race."

Suddenly the leaders had to focus on the upstart Emmett. Florit went in pursuit with Dunlap close by. Upon the retrieval of Emmett, Dunlap countered hard and went clear. Only Florit could answer, but she couldn't stick. She pulled up and settled for second. Dunlap cruised to victory.

In the dash for third, Sydor drove to the front and stayed there for the final turns to the line to finish third, with Redden in fourth and McConneloug stuck for fifth.

Results

Men
 
1 Roland Green (Can) Trek/VW
2 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Subaru/Gary Fisher
3 Seamus McGrath (Can) Haro/Lee Dungarees
4 Geoff Kabush (Can) Kona
5 Paul Rowney (Aus) Yeti/Pearl Izumi
6 Jose Adrian Bonilla (CRc) Café Costa Rica/Pizza Hut
7 Jeremy Horgan Kobelski (USA) RLX Polo Sport
8 Matthieu Toulouse (Can) Gears Racing
9 Chris Sheppard (Can) Haro/Lee Dungarees
10 Marc Gullickson (USA) Mongoose/Hyundai
 
Women
 
1 Alison Dunlap (USA) Luna Chix
2 Jimena Florit (Arg) RLX Polo Sport
3 Alison Sydor (Can) Trek/VW
4 Chrissy Redden (Can) Subaru/Gary Fisher
5 Mary McConneloug (USA) Seven
6 Kelli Emmett (USA) Luna Chix
7 Kerry Barnholt (USA) SoBe/Cannondale
8 Susy Pryde (NZl) Velo Bella
9 Mary Grigson (Aus) Subaru/Gary Fisher
10 Willow Koerber (Can) Cane Creek

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