S.C.X. #1/Steilacoom

  Wow!  That's how one could some up the day for the Cycle U-PopCap Cyclo-cross Team at the opening round of the Seattle Cyclocross Series held at Fort Steilacoom Park in Pierce County.  Steilacoom is legendary in the Northwest 'cross scene, and love it or hate it....everyone can appreciate the historic venue.

  The Cycle U-PopCap Team came out swinging big when the Men lined up at 12:15.  Elite rider, Evan Renwick had a fantastic start, settling into the race when some dry loose corners took their tole and caused him to go down, slightly hurting his shoulder and making him chase back.  Evan, and Masters rider, Chad Berg eventually were able to ride out their last couple of laps together and kind of put things into survival mode, and live to fight another day.  However, Jason Jablonski was moving up in the 35+ field and was chasing Garrett Hietman who had a large lead over the field.  Jablonski nonetheless, had a fantastic race and finished in 2nd place, getting a little redemption on last weeks race.  Sean Kelsey, now racing in the 45+ category very quickly broke clear of the field with Todd Gallagher and went back and forth throughout the race.  On the last lap, Gallagher made a move on Kelsey as they descended the pavement road, Kelsey waited patiently on the wheel as they navigated the twisty turning grass section through the pits.  As they entered the barriers, less than 50 meters from the finish line, they were neck and neck.  Both riders quickly tried to get into their pedals as they remounted to begin the sprint.  Kelsey got the best of it, and crossed the line in first place!  Magnificent!
  The Cycle U-PopCap Women started off by putting their stamp on the race early on.  Kristy Kelsey, led Melanie Lewis through the first couple laps and both teammates began to pull clear of the majority of the field with only a Group Health, and Blue Rooster rider able to keep them in sight.  With two laps to go, the Group Health rider bridged up to the Kelsey and Lewis.  Kelsey faded slightly after putting in the heroic efforts, and now it was Lewis's turn trying to shake loose the Group Health rider.  Lewis put in a big push through the technical sections to try and pull clear, but was attacked on the back climb and got slightly gapped.  Lewis came in about 5 seconds off of the winning pace for a super 2nd place with teammate Kelsey finishing shortly thereafter in 3rd!  It was great to see the girls working to control the race on a course that really doesn't suit either one's particular style, yet still pull off great results.

SCX #1 results:

Sean Kelsey - 1st
Jason Jablonski - 2nd
Chad Berg - 15th
Evan Renwick - 23rd
Melanie Lewis - 2nd
Kristy Kelsey - 3rd

  Next week, the team travels to the shores of Lake Samammish in Issaquah for round #2 of the MFG series.