The Cycle University Varsity cyclo-cross program will once again be taking on the Northwest cyclo-cross circuit for 2012. All of these riders and support personnel have been recruited for both their professionalism, ability, sportsmanship, attitude, committment to the sport, and the ability to work in a team setting.



Saturday, September 17, 2011

Starcrossed in the day time?



As we chill out in the hotel following a great day of racing the Starcrossed race that has been relocated to Lake Samammish State Park in Issaquah, I can't help but missing the Classic race in Redmond under the lights around the velodrome.
Nonetheless, the Issaquah venue is great and the day went off great. At 2:30, the Master Men took off on the "pancake flat" grassy, twisty course that did include a 50 meter sandy beach run along the lake. Team rider Sean Kelsey got the whole shot to lead the massive field of riders. Kelsey continued to lead the race, yet when he reached the beach and hit the sand, his front wheel got caught in a deep patch, catapulting Kelsey over the handlebars into the sand. Meanwhile, Chad Berg, who got boxed out of numerous turns in the opening lap, was pushed back into the mid 50's in his position. After a couple of laps, Berg found a good rhythm and began picking off riders here and there, and eventually could only finish in 36th. Kelsey had to settle for 22nd place and hold onto some reserves for tomorrows battle on the same course.
At 4:30, the Elite women toed the line, that included team riders Melanie Lewis and Kristi Berg. The stellar field also included riders from the East Coast, California, Canada, the Czech Republic, and even the French National Champion.
With both of the Cycle U - PopCap riders lining up in the back at the start....they knew that it wouldn't be easy. In the opening lap, Berg and Lewis began to work up through the field. Berg was feeling pretty good, considering she is still nursing a back injury, and began to pic off a couple riders every lap, eventually finishing in 14th place and in the money!  Lewis kept in the fight noticeably getting better as the race wore on and finished a respectable 22nd place.
 The evening finished off with a nice team dinner at Lombardi's in Issaquah and then off to home for some and off to the hotel for us. Tomorrow we will be right back at it for the "Rapha/Focus Grand Prix" race at the same location. This race will be important for the Master Men squad since series points are on the line, so hopefully luck will be on Chad and Sean's side.

  I can hear it raining outside...................excellent!
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