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River City Bicycles 2002 Cross Crusade #5
Memorial Park, Wilsonville, Oregon, November 3, 2002
Skerritt Out Duels Tonkin While Nussbaum Cruises
By Brian Witty
Shannon Skerritt (Trek/VW/Bike Gallery) and Jeannette Nussbaum (Kona/Kenwood) earned their second wins of the 2002 River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series on November 3, 2002 at Memorial Park in Wilsonville, Ore. After five of eight rounds, the series points standings is coming into focus with Skerritt and Rhonda Mazza (Team S&M/Vanilla) establishing themselves as the pair to beat.
Sunny skies and crisp autumn weather welcomed the debut of the 2.6-kilometer Memorial Park course that used a combination of tricky, bark-dusted double-track through a forest and wide-open athletic fields for an entertaining, speedy circuit. However, without any climbs, the course designers had some ideas to keep things interesting, including the "MacTarnahan's Six Pack" which was a 30-meter run-up with six barriers. For a final challenge each lap, just before the finish line the course zigzagged through a beach volleyball pit filled with ankle-deep sand.
Skerritt and Tonkin Take Charge
The Category A Men's Race was scheduled for one hour, but the entire field knew the importance of leading into the wooded section in the first minute. As the starter's whistle blew, Erik Tonkin (Kona/Kenwood) got the hole shot ahead of Mark King (Sunnyside Sports) and Brody Anderson (River City Bicycles) while Skerritt had difficulty getting clipped in and slid back into the field.
Emerging from the forest, Tonkin led a small split that included Derl Miller (Trek/VW/Bike Gallery), Shane Beers (Vision Cyclery) and Anderson and Skerritt, who pressed hard on the back side of the course to get back to the front. Coming through the finish, the five-man split held a six-second gap on the Sunnyside duo of King and Mike Schindler.
By the end of the second lap, the protagonists became clear: Tonkin and Skerritt were scrapping for the win in a race reminiscent of Pier Park, except that Tonkin's mop-top teammate Barry Wicks was not on the starting line. Skerritt and Tonkin were sharing the lead, but were also not feeling 100 percent. Tonkin was fighting a cold and Skerritt was nursing bruises suffered from a collision with another cyclist on an evening ride home from work.
As the lapboard counted down, Tonkin and Skerritt would take turns attacking each other in the turf sections, but nothing was sticking. Meanwhile, Miller, Beers, King and series newcomer Richard Feldman (Durance Cycleworks) were having a spirited battle for the rest of the top five more than a minute behind the leading pair. In fact, on laps four, five and six, Feldman, Beers and Miller held third spot, respectively, with King and Schindler close behind.
As the finish neared, Skerritt settled in to shadow Tonkin knowing that he has a speedier kick. Just before the bell, Skerritt pushed the pace, but Tonkin put his head down and closed up on him. At the first barrier just before entering the woods, Skerritt tried to get around Tonkin, but the Kona/Kenwood rider hopped the barrier and gained the small advantage.
Tonkin stayed in front and was trying to burn off Skerritt. With 400 meters and one sand pit to go, Skerritt cranked it up and Tonkin had nothing left. The Trek/VW/Bike Gallery rider wore a large smile running out of the sand and across the line for his second win of the series and extending his lead to 18 points over Tonkin. Beers dug deep and snared his first podium finish of the series for third, followed by Miller and King.
Nussbaum Shows Her Strength
With this victory, Nussbaum is becoming a force in the Oregon cyclocross scene following her win in the opening round at Alpenrose Dairy and a strong podium finish at the Cannondale/PDX International UCI event. The Kona/Kenwood rider has been having a strong season also taking two wins in the Microsoft Seattle Series, so she was clearly a favorite on the line at the Category A Women's race with series leader, and defending series champ, Mazza up for the challenge. From the start, Nussbaum powered away from the women's field with her smooth pedaling style that had her lapping 10 seconds faster each lap than any other woman. After the first lap, she had a significant gap over the determined trio of Mazza, Karen Kenlan (Sunnyside Sports) and Alice Pennington (Trek/VW/Bike Gallery). By the second of seven laps, Nussbaum was 33 seconds in front of Mazza, who had set out to try and reel her in.
With Nussbaum and Mazza away, the race for third was heating up with Suzanne King (Sunnyside Sports) just ahead of Kenlan, Pennington and Amy Hunter-Dillinger (River City Bicycles). For most of the race, this group was never more than 20 seconds apart.
By the final lap, Nussbaum was continuing to pull away and was nearly a full minute ahead of Mazza, who in turn was more than a minute in front of King in third. Nussbaum pressed with a sub-7:30 lap and had time to make her last trip through the sand pit a casual one with a polite wave to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd. By late in the race, gaps had started to open up with King, Pennington and Hunter-Dillinger rounding out the top five.
Next week the River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series takes a break with the sixth round making its return on after a one-year hiatus to Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, Ore. on November 17. The course is built for speed but with the autumn rains starting to settle in the Northwest, the run of sunny weather may come to a muddy end.
About the 'Cross Crusade Series
Now in its 10th season, the River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series is an Oregon-based grassroots effort that has grown into the largest cyclocross series in North America. The 2002 'Cross Crusade has more than $20,002 of prize money up for grabs during the eight races, including two UCI sanctioned events for the first time.
The 'Cross Crusade series emphasizes fun and participation which is evidenced by the expansive prize list that ranges from cash and bike-related merchandise to six-packs of local microbrews and bottles of Oregon-grown wines. This level of generosity is made possible by the unparalleled support of the series' title sponsor River City Bicycles and presenting sponsors Cannondale, Saturn/RussAuto, MacTarnahan's and Sellwood Cycle Repair. Learn more about 'Cross Crusade at www.crosscrusade.com
Photos
Images by Cheryl J. Willson
- The Black Knight, Russ Humberston, before getting caught by the ladies.
- Jeannette Nussbaum (Kona Kenwood) getting her bike under control
- Kicking up some dust
- Jeannette Nussbaum (Kona Kenwood)
- Marjon Marik (River City Bicycles) negotiates one of the tighter corners on the course.
- The winner of the women's B race, Stephanie Yenne (Capitol Velo).
- Shanan Whitlatch looks like she's happy to be racing.
- Jeannette Nussbaum (Kona Kenwood)
- Amy Hunter-Dillinger (Lakeside/River's Edge) riding strong through the wooded part of the course.
- Jeannette Nussbaum (Kona Kenwood)
- Jeannette Nussbaum (Kona Kenwood) emerging from the sand pit victorious.
- Jon Myers (Team S&M)
- Chris Brandt (Collins) clears the final of six barriers.
- Sean Garvin (GS Camerati)
- Eric Tonkin (Kona Kenwood) takes a turn at the front of the race.
- Shannon Skerritt (Trek/VW/Bike Gallery) runs through the sand a final time before winning the race.
- Jeff Struck (Gentle Lovers) finishing up.
- The winner, Shannon Skerritt (Trek/VW/Bike Gallery), rests while watching the rest of the field finish.
Results
Beginners 1 Chris Pickett 2 Chris Murphy (Disco Velo) 3 Steven Basden (Lakeside/River's Edge) 4 Tom Hoffman 5 Kris Schamp 6 Andrew Le Tourneau 7 Scott Bowman 8 Jim Hayhurst 9 Jeff Liebert 10 Chris Boyce One lap behind 11 Rich Cowan (North River Racing) 12 Steve Meyer (Prom Bike Shop) 13 James Sestric 14 Shane Young 15 Troy Scott 16 DJ DeAustria 17 Chris Hogan (Bikes & Beyond) 18 Brian McNamara 19 Jeff Vine 20 Kent Hymel 21 Brad Farra 22 Kevin Wolfe 23 Christoper Esayian 24 Alan Marthnson 25 Jeff King 26 Lon Canaday (B.I.K.E./ Cyclisme) 27 Bob Croucher 28 Mikey McDonald 29 Ryan Balfour 30 Brett Hadley 31 Phil Merick 32 Jason Jones (Corben/Huntair) 33 Nathan Agalzoff 34 Peter Kaufman 35 Bill Huff (T & E Racing) 36 Kevin Wagner 37 Paul Curran (Red Lizard) 38 Dan Griffin 39 Alan Snodgrass 40 Scott Hayhurst 41 Dennis McCord 42 Dave Norbury 43 Randy Wright 44 Melanie Haliburton 45 Steve Blaine Two laps behind 46 Amber Clark 47 Michael Beckman BBC 48 Justin Helm (Border Books) 49 Mark Liebert 50 Rory Weinstein 51 Matt Brownfield 52 Fred Ford Masters 55+ 1 Richard Marantz (Corben/Huntair) 2 Mike Resnick (Nomad SC) 3 John Forbes (Emerald Velo) 4 Del Scharffenberg (Corben/Huntair) 5 Jim Haase (Team S & M) 6 Michael Strubel 7 Joe Kregul Masters 45-54 1 Dean Lucas (Bike Gallery) 2 Mark Schwyhart (Bik N Hike/Presto Velo) 3 Harold Klein (Lakeside/Rivers Edge) 4 Peter Spir (Lakeside/Rivers Edge) 5 Joe Lieuallen 6 George Schreck (Corben/Huntair) 7 Rick Potestio (Club Vivo) 8 Bruce Werner 9 Marcus Swanson 10 Chris Marks (MAC) 11 David Luoma 12 Mark Hildebradt One lap behind 13 Gerry Parson 14 Vern Krist 15 John Paul Sage 16 Paul Montgomery (Team S & M) 17 Darell Provencher (River City/ Team Rose City) Juniors 1 Keith Robinson (ASC) 2 Taylor Kneuven (BBC) 3 Brett Williams (Team O) 4 Jon Long (Team O) 5 Ricky Bossen (Team O) One lap behind 6 Luke Harrison (Corben/Huntair) 7 Steven Keehan (ASC) 8 Jeff Hopkins (Corben/Huntair) 9 Kenny Bossen (Team O) 10 Jonathan Keehan (ASC) 11 Keith Beckman (BBC) Five laps behind 12 Brian Weare DNF Tim Schwartz Kids 1 Jacob Chilenski 2 Eric Shipley 3 Ellie Bossen 4 Madison Chilenski Singlespeed 1 John Walrod 2 Sam Richardson (Gentle Lovers) 3 Monty Worthington (Tifosi Wines) 4 Brad Cockman (Reno Hilton) 5 Pat Kudszus 6 Augusto Carneiro (WWH) 7 Sascha Mac 8 Doug Shanks (Team O) 9 Mark Meikle 10 Wade Goff (Lakeside / River's Edge) 11 Richard Marantz (Corben/Huntair) 12 Brian Witty (Half-Fast) 13 Chauncy Curl (Rubicon) One lap behind 14 Richard Kilshaw 15 Douglas Moak 16 Matt Pellico 17 Rich Toth Men's B 1 Ian Brown 2 Kevin White (Chico State) 3 Ryan Weaver (Gentle Lovers) 4 Geoff Raynak (Lakeside) 5 Jake Brimlow 6 Greg Talbert 7 Jeff Bannink (Chruchill - Higher Gear) 8 Solomon Woras (Team Oregon) 9 Kent Heli (MWH) 10 Jonathan Smith (Team S & M) 11 Daniel Rockholm (Team S & M) 12 Nathan Hult (Corben/ Huntair) 13 Kirk Slack (Pacsetter NW) 14 Andrew Reed (GS Cameratti) 15 David Divney (Half Fast) 16 Doug Evans 17 Lonny Knabe (Where I Like) 18 Ivan Meadors (Corben/ Huntair) 19 Shane Fletcher (Form-Works) 20 Marc Riera (GS Cameratti) 21 Kevin Thompson (Lakeside) 22 Jerry Cutright (ASC/Gedsoy) 23 Michael Dunn (Lakeside/ River's Edge) 24 Chris Cook (Team O) 25 Tre Hendricks (Disco Velo) 26 Philip Edwards 27 Ian Penner (VCM Racing) 28 Clark Ritchie (Lakeside/ River's Edge) 29 Brian Schultz (MWH/ Lenderboy) 30 Tom Lenth 31 Steve Davee 32 Paul Anderson (Lakeside/ River's Edge) 33 Francis McGrody 34 Charlie Sheridan (River City/ Team Oregon) 35 David Thomason (Sunnyside) 36 Eric Voldengen (BBC) 37 Peter Sajai 38 Aaron Zarosinski (Half Fast) 39 Brian Spears (Lakeside/ River's Edge) 40 David Hopper (EnSelle/NoMad) 41 Andreas Oswald (Giant/ Bike N Hike) One lap behind 42 Chad Sperry (Disco Velo) 43 Tom Morgan (Presto Velo) 44 Mark Lambie (ASC/Gedsoy) 45 Aaron Sander 46 Ernie Conway (Team O/ RCB) 47 Chris Bright (Corben/ Huntair) 48 Joe Marek (Team S & M) DNF Marc Brune DNF Eric Szczurowski DNF Rick Morris DNF Jason Pfeifer (Presto Velo) DNF Shawn McDonald (Sunnyside) DNF James Selman (Seven Cycles) Women's A 1 Jeanette Nussbaum (Kona/Kenwood) 2 Rhonda Mazza (Team S & M/ Vanilla) 3 Suzanne King (Sunnyside Sports) 4 Alice Pennington (Bike Galley) 5 Amy Hunter-Dillinger (Lakeside/ River's Edge) 6 Karen Kenlan (Sunnyside Sports) 7 Marjon Marik (River) 8 Joanne Stevens (Sunnyside Sports) 9 Mandy Lozano (River City) 10 Bridgette Stoick 11 Julie Wilson (Disco Velo) 12 Tina Reeb (Team Reeb) DNF Emily Babcock (Gentle Lovers) DNF Naomi Gollogy Women Beginners 1 Stephanie Yenne (Capitol Velo) 2 Shannan Whitlatch (Lakeside/Rivers Edge) 3 Wendy Williams (River City) 4 Miranda Moon (Team Rubicon) 5 Anna K. Saltonstall 6 Darien Curl (Team Rubicon) 7 Stephanie Sullivan (Performance Multi) 8 Catherine Hardy One lap behind 9 Kelly Witty (Nomad) 10 Karen Carter 11 Shannon Holt Two laps behind 12 Dawn Guildner Women Masters 35+ 1 Martha Handford (Independent Fab) 2 Marla Lieuallen 3 Pam Reid (Team Oregon) 4 Kristen Dillon 5 Debbi Krichko 6 Roxy Cate (EnSelle) 7 Connie Vine 8 Evelyn West (Team S&M) 9 Renee Pype (Team S&M) One lap behind 10 Meg Mautner (EnSelle) 11 Jill Anderson 12 Melody Ross (Club Vivo) DNF Therese Waldow DNF Mary Ross (MAC) Men's A 1 Shannon Skerritt (Bike Gallery) 2 Erik Tonkin (Kona Kenwood) 3 Shane Beers (Vision Cyclery SF) 4 Derl Miller (Bike Gallery/ Trek Velo) 5 Mark King (Sunnyside) 6 Mike Schirdler (Sunnyside) 7 Richard Feldman (Durango) 8 Rich Cramer (Presto Velo) 9 Chris Brandt (Collins) 10 Sean Doyle (DeSalvo) 11 Mark Matson (Gentle Lovers) 12 Chad Swanson (Team S & M) 13 John McCaffrey (Presto Velo) 14 Scott Robinson (GS Cameratti) 15 Brody Anderson (River City) 16 Sean Garvin (GS Cameratti) 17 Ian Eglitis (Presto Velo) 18 John Boelsems 19 Scott Willson (GS Cameratti) 20 Tim Coffey (Pazzo Velo) 21 Aric Rist (Bike Doctor) One lap behind 22 Molly Cameron (VeloShop.org) 23 Caan Zarosinski 24 Jon Myers 25 Jeff Struck (Gentle Lovers) 26 Omer Kem (Team O) Two laps behind 27 Jeff McNamee DNF John Gorman (Sunnyside) DNF John Walrod (Prime Alliance) Masters 35-44 1 Michael Sylvester (Bike Gallery) One lap behind 2 Greg Talbert (Clif Bar) 3 Michael Jones (Disco Velo) 4 Kent Johnston (Lakeside/Rivers Edge) 5 Carl Roberts (Clif Bar) 6 Andrew Deenik (Disco Velo) 7 Todd Rosier (RCW) 8 Mike Colesar (Disco Velo) 9 Robert Huff (Team S&M) 10 Ivan Meadors (Corben/ Huntair) 11 Steve Morse (Sunnyside Sports) 12 Dan Davis (SS Bend) 13 Kurt Krichko 14 Tom Holmes 15 Lon Leneve 16 Tim Ellerback (RCW) 17 Rich Slingsby (River City) 18 Don Leet (Sunnyside Sports) Two laps behind 19 Larry Smith (Durango Cycles) 20 Rick Potestio (Club Vivo) 21 Jay Graves (Bike Gallery) 22 Mike Gohman Three laps behind 23 Paul Mautner (Lakeside/Rivers Edge) DNF Robert Jacobs DNF Steve Yenne (Capitol Velo) DNF Chauncy Curl (Rubicon DNF) Men's C 1 Cameron Vanderstoep (REI) 2 Greg Mylet 3 Andrew Haliburton 4 Chris Browning (Presto Velo) 5 Dean Giblin 6 Brad Cockman (Reno Hilton) 7 Dave Swift 8 Dave Warwick (T & E Cycles) 9 Wade Goff (Lakeside/ River's Edge) 10 Glen Eppick (Cyclotopia) 11 Dan Moeller (Team S & M) 12 Dan Naughton (Bike n Hike) 13 Craig Sinanian (Lakeside) 14 Tim Schauer (Columbia River Velo) 15 Ken Reed (Team in the White T-Shirt) 16 Pat Tongue 17 Jason Franklin (Team S & M) 18 Andrew Beehler (T&E/Cane Creek) 19 Nathan Spear (Lakeside) 20 Doug Shaks (TO) 21 22 Paul Blackburn 23 Nick Adamy (Team T & E) 24 Nate Armbrust 25 Aaron Leriz (Team S & M) 26 Ben Langsdorf 27 Ken Finch (Team S & M) 28 Jason Bietz 29 Andy Wilson 30 Paul DeVries 31 Ernie Conway (Team Oregon) 32 Eric Romney One lap behind 33 Dan Burton (Team S & M) 34 Shawn Irwin (\) 35 Damon Webster (Columbia River Velo) 36 Steve Landen (Team S & M) 37 Dick Busby 38 John Shuman Two laps behind 39 Chris Alling (CRV) 40 Ed Chrisman (Team S & M) 41 Gil Oremod 42 Mike Quigley Three laps behind 43 Kerry Stevens 44 Lennis Herburger (Disco Velo) Four laps behind 45 Trig Rogers Five laps behind 46 Derwyn Harris DNF Robert Jenkins (L'Equipe Velo) DNF Stan Arrigotti (DNF) DNF Alfonso PeBenito (DNF) DNF James Cavalier (DNF) DNF Craig Austin (DNF)
