Davis Cyclocross was a Miracle!
By J.R. Petsko
Weeks leading up to the Blackwater Cyclocross was full of excitement for me. I had a vision in my mind of exactly what I want the course and the event its self to be like. However, H1N1 had a different idea. The work before the event I was hit hard by the pig flu! Needless to say all my ideas didn't happen and if it wasn't for the help of all my friends the race itself probably wouldn't have happen. The morning of the event more then a dozen racers showed up early just to help me setup. Thanks everyone! I owe you all a big one!
One thing did however corporate and that was the weather! In mid November in Davis, WV you could easily have a foot of snow on the ground but the racers were all welcome to town with sunny skies and unseasonable warm temperature. I did have that going for me!
Race #1 saw a large group of racers consisting of the Single Speeds, Women Open and Masters class. Out front early was a group of five SS rider that included series points leader Marc Glass, Steve Rowand (Wamsley Cycles), Joey Riddle (Joey's Bike Shop), Robbie Loehr (Pathfinder of WV) and Steven Nutt. The group looked to be pushing the pace each and every lap. The pain was clearly written on each of their faces. Glass was the first to not be able to continue the hammering pace and Nutt was soon to follow. However for the final three it was going to go down to the final lap. Robbie Loehr however has a magic touch on his side when it comes to racing Davis, you see Loehre has not lost a SS race there since 2006. That was one record that his was not going to let end on this day. Finding what strength he had left Loehr put a small gap on Rowand and Riddle and was able to tale the Single Speed class victory! Morgantown Cyclocross winner Steve Rowand was second followed by Joey Riddle who made his first appearance at a WVCXS event this year.
The women field say another large field that included 11 women racers. The field included Pam Milavec (Steel City Endurance), Emily Moy (WVU Cycling), Laurie Jonston (WV Night Club), Kristy Lanier (Dirt Bean.com), Mandi Riddle (Joey's Bike Shop) and series leader Betsy Shogren (Cannondale Factory Racing). As she has at every series event this year Shogren took off and put her may years of cross racing skills to work. However behind her a good race was being had for fifth through second. Lanier in her second ever cross was able to hold onto the runner-up spot. She was followed by Riddle in second. Moy riding in her first ever cross race was able to pull out a solid fourth place and Milavec rounded out the top five.
In the Masters division Mike Buchness took the win over Matt Marcus and Cory Smith. Kean Bird took fourth just in front of series rival Fritz Kessler (Breakwawy Velo). Kessler however still hold a lead in the series overall and looks to become the first series master's champion after this weekends Bruceton Mills Cyclocross.
In race #2 it was the Men's B racers and the Clydesdale/Tandem class out on the course. I sure was disappointed to miss out on racing due to the flu. Out front early was Duncan Oliver (WVU Cycling) but lurking not far behind was the Tandem duo of Betsy and Gunnar Shogren (Cannondale Factory Racing). After the race Gunnar said, "did we win? I don't remember getting around Duncan?!". You sure did Gunnar. The Shogren Tandem not only won their class but won the Race #2 overall. Impressive! Second in the Clydesdale/Tandem class was Bill Miller and third was Mike Miller (Miller D.D.S).
Even though Oliver was not strong enough to hold off the tandem he was however able to keep the rest of the B rider at bay. Danny Welsch (Western Maryland Wheelmen) improved on his third place at Marilla Cross by taking second at the Blackwater. Fourth went to Robert Issem who was followed by Rob Chaney in fifth.
The final race on the day was the fast guys, the Men's A race. At the starting line was series points leader Brad Schmalzer (Bikeman.com), Andrew McKeegan, Gunnar Shogren (Cannondale Facorty Racing), Jason Cry (Cannondale), Gary Rodosta Nate Annon (Cannondale/Pathfinder), Loehr and Joey Riddle (Joey's Bike Shop).
The pace was hot early with Cyr, Shogren and McKeegan riding together at the front. However Cyr being the local was looking to make good in front of his home crowd. Just 25 minutes in the 60 minute race he leaped of the front and quickly put 30 seconds into Shogren and McKeegan. Shogren listed his pace some to try and pull back Cyr which cause Mckeegan to fall back. The three seemed to be locked in their respective position until about 15 minutes left in the race. Al a sudden seemed to be pulling Cyr back some and then the unthinkable happen. Cyr was forced to pit with a flat tire. It looked that luck was not smiling on the local but from my point of view it looked as though the flat inspired him to ride even harder.
Behind Cyr, the smoke was starting to roll off Shogren who was feeling the effects of winning the B race on the tandem. Shogren said, "my plan was to just sit up a bit and wait for Andrew to bridge up". Shogren later admitted that plan didn't work cause as soon as McKeegan bridged he counterattacked and Shogren was unable to match. At the finish Cyr took the win and title of Blackwater Cyclocross Champion. Mckeegan was second followed by Shogren. In fourth was Schmalzer who had his hand full all day battling it out with eventual fifth place finisher Gary Rodosta!
The day start off with me wonder how in the world we would get everything done in time for the race, but thanks to you all (my friends) it turned out to be a huge success! Thanks!
Ps.... Series standings have been updated!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Record Turnout at Marilla Despite Mud!
Record Turnout at Marilla Despite Mud!
by JR Petsko
photos found at - www.NaturesEssencePhoto.com
On Saturday racers and spectators converged on Marilla Park in Morgantown, WV for the 2nd annual Marilla Cross. The event in its first year had a good turnout of around fifty participates but no one expected the ninety racers to show up on Saturday! Round number three of the WVCXS saw the largest attendance ever for a West Virginia cyclocross race. That fact had everyone pumped all day long.
Race #1 started at 9:30am with a very strong wind but dry and warm temperatures. The start included the Single Speeds, Masters and Women's Open class. Jon Martin (WV Night Club) took the hole shot and early lead but was followed by a pack that included Stephen Rowand (Wamsley Cycle/Team Rowman), Don Powers (Pro Bikes), Montana Miller (Pro Bikes) and series single speed leader Marc Glass (Backyard Bike Club). Mid way though lap number one Martin was pulled back in by the pack and Rowand counter attacked. Rowand, who's first ever cross race was on this very same course one year ago, looked to have made some serious improvement to his cross game after finishing 18th the previous year. His attack looked to be holding. Behind him Powers and Miller were in a battle. Miller, who earned the "Rock Star" award for riding a fixed gear bike in two races, looked strong and was able to just stay ahead of his Pro Bikes teammate. Then Mother Nature decided to show up! The 70 degrees and wind started to change and change fast they did. Rain came. The course had already been a little damp so it did not take long for the circuit to go from not bad to slick! The condition change did not affect Rowand at all as he took home the victory for his class and the first race overall. Miller rode his fixie to a well deserved second followed by Don Powers in third. Jon Martin was able to hold onto forth just in front of co-race director Marc Glass.
As the single speed boys were duking it out more excitement was going on a little ways behind them. Betsy Shogren (Cannondale Factory Racing/Pathfinder/Backyard Bike Club) was putting rubber to the dirt. Shogren had a slow start and found herself somewhere around mid pack at the beginning but now was moving up and moving up quickly. Behind her Traci Rodosta (Desire Title/New Orleans Bicycle Club) was looking strong and was holding off Jackie O'Lantern (Chrissy Buerkle/Speedgoat), Ruth Cunningham (Pro Bikes), Laurie Johnston (WV Night Club), Stacie Truszouski (Steel City Endurance) and Rachel Teodori (Steel City Endurance). It was anyone’s race for the final podium spots behind Shogren. As the laps counted down things settled in for the women as Rodosta and O'Lantern looked to have solid holds on second and third respectively. However the final two podium spots were going to go down to the wire. Cunningham was feeling the pain and worked extremely hard on the final lap to take home fourth in the race and was followed just behind by local Laurie Johnston in fifth!
For the Men's Masters my money was riding on Kean Bird. The start saw Bird, Bob Vernon, Matt Marcus, Bryan Davis, series leader Fritz Kessler (Breakaway Velo) go away together. However my prediction was not to come true after Bird received a early first lap flat. Marcus and Vernon started to pull away from the others and it looked to be a two man race. Vernon is one of those riders that you never know how much they have left in the tank due to his facial expressions never changing. I would hate to play poker against that guy. However Marcus was just barely able to keep Vernon at bay for the class win. Behind them found Bryan Davis in third and Fritz Kessler in fifth. Hats off to Bird who was able to recover after the flat and finish up in fourth place.
As race number two got ready to start, the course had become wet, muddy, slick and fun if you ask me. It was just the kinda conditions you think about when cross racing comes to mind. For this race I was in the action, racing in the Clydesdale/Tandem class. During the same race however the Men's B class would be racing. The race started at a moderate pace that I found to be manageable. Out front was Men's B riders Duncan Oliver (WVU Cycling), Rob Lochner (Iron City Bikes), Danny Welsh (Western Maryland Wheelmen), Robert Chaney, Scott Benson, Mike Maher and Chris Schott. Oliver and Welsh chose mountain bikes for the race due to the muddy course that was degrading lap by lap while Lochner stayed with the cross bike. The mountain bike gave Oliver an advantage in some of the muddy corners but Lochner would even things up on the flat and road sections of the course. Towards the final laps the muddy course became hysterical in sections. The approach to the "Hill of Death" was as slick as the Mon Ice Rink and a mass of spectators made their way to the section to view the carnage. Oliver, however, seemed to be unfazed by the course and took the class win. Lochner finished second followed by Welsh. Rob Chaney took home forth in the Men's B while Scott Benson finished with an impressive fifth.
In the Clydesdale/Tandem class it saw the Tandems school the Clydesdales. I (JR Petsko-Backyard Bike Club)found myself in the lead after the start but it was short lived as those pesky Shogrens and their Cannondale Factory Racing Tandem went flying past me. I was feeling comfortable in second until a mistake in the gravel pit saw the team of Cunningham/Pokrivka (Pro Bikes) go past me as well as well as Rick Plowman. I recover and was feeling good as I passed Plowman and then found myself on the Pro Bikes tandem's rear wheel. Just as I thought I would be able to pass them for second in the class a mechanical! My derailor grabbed a hold of one of the rear spokes and it sent me my flying over the bars. It took what felt like an eternity to get the derailor free of the back wheel and get racing again. By that time the second place tandem was gone. Behind me Mike Miller was able to get around Plowman and moved himself up into the fourth spot. At the finish it was the Shogrens first, Cunningham/Pokrivka second, me third, Miller fourth, Plowman fifth and Craig Weimer sixth. Most fun I had ever had in a race! Great job guys..
At this point the course was a nightmare of mud that seemed fitting for a Halloween race. Up next it was the main event and the folks with all the horse power, the Men's A race. The field had some super fast East Coast cyclocross names in it like Morgantown's own Gunnar Shogren (Cannondale Factory Racing/Pathfinder/Backyard Bike Club), Gerry Pflug (Speedgoat/SPK), Mike Mihalik (Freddie Fu Cycling Team), Justin Pokrivka (Pro Bikes), Jason Cyr (Regional Cannondale Factory Racing), Chris Mayhew (JVB Coaching.com) and don't count out series leader Brad Schmalzer (bikeman.com). There was also some pretty fast local rider lined up at the start like Mike "I'm Not Ryan" Vanderberg, Nate "Ol' school Gunnar" Annon (Pathfinder/Cannondale), Gary Rodosta, Robbie "Shoot 'em up" Loehr, Jacob Brown and Matt Kettering. More fast guys then you can shake a stick at!
The start was super fast and Gerry Pflug wasted no time getting to the front followed by Mihalik. Shogren frond himself in third and was followed closely by Cyr. One lap into the race it looked to be a four horse race out front as they begin to pull away from the other. The once firm ground that we saw at 9am that morning had now become unrecognizable and muddy was everywhere. The traction and but handling was difficult in the easiest spots on the course and in place like the "Hill of Death" it seemed as though it took a super human effort to get to the top. The battle for the lead was just that, a battle. One lap found Shogren in the lead, the next Pflung, and then Mihalik and so on. At about the mid way point things started to widen even more throughout the field and even in the lead group. Pflug and Mihalik had a gap on Shogren and the gap increased even more when Shogren was forced to stop and remove a layer of clothing due to overheating. This then allowed Cyr to take over the third spot. Some riders knew they were out of contention for the day and just had fun with it. Matt Kettering failed on one attempt to make the "Hill of Death" and after he slide all the way to the bottom proceeded to put on a break dancing show for the crowd. Nice moves there Matt. Vanderberg, Annon and Brown where all seen taking drink at the beer stop at the top of the "HOD". Then all of a sudden no more time for games, LAST LAP! Out front Pflug looked to have made the move for the win when a a slight error allowed Mihalik to slip by for the win. Pflug however still finished with a strong second. Shogren, even though it took a few laps, was able to cool down his body temperature and get back around Cyr for the third podium place. Cyr held onto fourth ahead of Justin Pokrivka.
I have said it once and I will say it again. Best time I have ever had at a bike race. My hat goes off to Gary and Marc for all their hard work. It sure showed. Thanks to all the volunteers and the SPECTATORS. You guys brought the event to another level.
Next up on the WVCXS schedule is my very own race the Blackwater Cyclocross on Nov. 14th in Davis, WV. You can register on line now at bikereg.com and the first 40 preregistered get FREE messenger bags from Endura!
Ps... West Virginia Cyclocross Standings Updated
by JR Petsko
photos found at - www.NaturesEssencePhoto.com
On Saturday racers and spectators converged on Marilla Park in Morgantown, WV for the 2nd annual Marilla Cross. The event in its first year had a good turnout of around fifty participates but no one expected the ninety racers to show up on Saturday! Round number three of the WVCXS saw the largest attendance ever for a West Virginia cyclocross race. That fact had everyone pumped all day long.
Race #1 started at 9:30am with a very strong wind but dry and warm temperatures. The start included the Single Speeds, Masters and Women's Open class. Jon Martin (WV Night Club) took the hole shot and early lead but was followed by a pack that included Stephen Rowand (Wamsley Cycle/Team Rowman), Don Powers (Pro Bikes), Montana Miller (Pro Bikes) and series single speed leader Marc Glass (Backyard Bike Club). Mid way though lap number one Martin was pulled back in by the pack and Rowand counter attacked. Rowand, who's first ever cross race was on this very same course one year ago, looked to have made some serious improvement to his cross game after finishing 18th the previous year. His attack looked to be holding. Behind him Powers and Miller were in a battle. Miller, who earned the "Rock Star" award for riding a fixed gear bike in two races, looked strong and was able to just stay ahead of his Pro Bikes teammate. Then Mother Nature decided to show up! The 70 degrees and wind started to change and change fast they did. Rain came. The course had already been a little damp so it did not take long for the circuit to go from not bad to slick! The condition change did not affect Rowand at all as he took home the victory for his class and the first race overall. Miller rode his fixie to a well deserved second followed by Don Powers in third. Jon Martin was able to hold onto forth just in front of co-race director Marc Glass.
As the single speed boys were duking it out more excitement was going on a little ways behind them. Betsy Shogren (Cannondale Factory Racing/Pathfinder/Backyard Bike Club) was putting rubber to the dirt. Shogren had a slow start and found herself somewhere around mid pack at the beginning but now was moving up and moving up quickly. Behind her Traci Rodosta (Desire Title/New Orleans Bicycle Club) was looking strong and was holding off Jackie O'Lantern (Chrissy Buerkle/Speedgoat), Ruth Cunningham (Pro Bikes), Laurie Johnston (WV Night Club), Stacie Truszouski (Steel City Endurance) and Rachel Teodori (Steel City Endurance). It was anyone’s race for the final podium spots behind Shogren. As the laps counted down things settled in for the women as Rodosta and O'Lantern looked to have solid holds on second and third respectively. However the final two podium spots were going to go down to the wire. Cunningham was feeling the pain and worked extremely hard on the final lap to take home fourth in the race and was followed just behind by local Laurie Johnston in fifth!
For the Men's Masters my money was riding on Kean Bird. The start saw Bird, Bob Vernon, Matt Marcus, Bryan Davis, series leader Fritz Kessler (Breakaway Velo) go away together. However my prediction was not to come true after Bird received a early first lap flat. Marcus and Vernon started to pull away from the others and it looked to be a two man race. Vernon is one of those riders that you never know how much they have left in the tank due to his facial expressions never changing. I would hate to play poker against that guy. However Marcus was just barely able to keep Vernon at bay for the class win. Behind them found Bryan Davis in third and Fritz Kessler in fifth. Hats off to Bird who was able to recover after the flat and finish up in fourth place.
As race number two got ready to start, the course had become wet, muddy, slick and fun if you ask me. It was just the kinda conditions you think about when cross racing comes to mind. For this race I was in the action, racing in the Clydesdale/Tandem class. During the same race however the Men's B class would be racing. The race started at a moderate pace that I found to be manageable. Out front was Men's B riders Duncan Oliver (WVU Cycling), Rob Lochner (Iron City Bikes), Danny Welsh (Western Maryland Wheelmen), Robert Chaney, Scott Benson, Mike Maher and Chris Schott. Oliver and Welsh chose mountain bikes for the race due to the muddy course that was degrading lap by lap while Lochner stayed with the cross bike. The mountain bike gave Oliver an advantage in some of the muddy corners but Lochner would even things up on the flat and road sections of the course. Towards the final laps the muddy course became hysterical in sections. The approach to the "Hill of Death" was as slick as the Mon Ice Rink and a mass of spectators made their way to the section to view the carnage. Oliver, however, seemed to be unfazed by the course and took the class win. Lochner finished second followed by Welsh. Rob Chaney took home forth in the Men's B while Scott Benson finished with an impressive fifth.
In the Clydesdale/Tandem class it saw the Tandems school the Clydesdales. I (JR Petsko-Backyard Bike Club)found myself in the lead after the start but it was short lived as those pesky Shogrens and their Cannondale Factory Racing Tandem went flying past me. I was feeling comfortable in second until a mistake in the gravel pit saw the team of Cunningham/Pokrivka (Pro Bikes) go past me as well as well as Rick Plowman. I recover and was feeling good as I passed Plowman and then found myself on the Pro Bikes tandem's rear wheel. Just as I thought I would be able to pass them for second in the class a mechanical! My derailor grabbed a hold of one of the rear spokes and it sent me my flying over the bars. It took what felt like an eternity to get the derailor free of the back wheel and get racing again. By that time the second place tandem was gone. Behind me Mike Miller was able to get around Plowman and moved himself up into the fourth spot. At the finish it was the Shogrens first, Cunningham/Pokrivka second, me third, Miller fourth, Plowman fifth and Craig Weimer sixth. Most fun I had ever had in a race! Great job guys..
At this point the course was a nightmare of mud that seemed fitting for a Halloween race. Up next it was the main event and the folks with all the horse power, the Men's A race. The field had some super fast East Coast cyclocross names in it like Morgantown's own Gunnar Shogren (Cannondale Factory Racing/Pathfinder/Backyard Bike Club), Gerry Pflug (Speedgoat/SPK), Mike Mihalik (Freddie Fu Cycling Team), Justin Pokrivka (Pro Bikes), Jason Cyr (Regional Cannondale Factory Racing), Chris Mayhew (JVB Coaching.com) and don't count out series leader Brad Schmalzer (bikeman.com). There was also some pretty fast local rider lined up at the start like Mike "I'm Not Ryan" Vanderberg, Nate "Ol' school Gunnar" Annon (Pathfinder/Cannondale), Gary Rodosta, Robbie "Shoot 'em up" Loehr, Jacob Brown and Matt Kettering. More fast guys then you can shake a stick at!
The start was super fast and Gerry Pflug wasted no time getting to the front followed by Mihalik. Shogren frond himself in third and was followed closely by Cyr. One lap into the race it looked to be a four horse race out front as they begin to pull away from the other. The once firm ground that we saw at 9am that morning had now become unrecognizable and muddy was everywhere. The traction and but handling was difficult in the easiest spots on the course and in place like the "Hill of Death" it seemed as though it took a super human effort to get to the top. The battle for the lead was just that, a battle. One lap found Shogren in the lead, the next Pflung, and then Mihalik and so on. At about the mid way point things started to widen even more throughout the field and even in the lead group. Pflug and Mihalik had a gap on Shogren and the gap increased even more when Shogren was forced to stop and remove a layer of clothing due to overheating. This then allowed Cyr to take over the third spot. Some riders knew they were out of contention for the day and just had fun with it. Matt Kettering failed on one attempt to make the "Hill of Death" and after he slide all the way to the bottom proceeded to put on a break dancing show for the crowd. Nice moves there Matt. Vanderberg, Annon and Brown where all seen taking drink at the beer stop at the top of the "HOD". Then all of a sudden no more time for games, LAST LAP! Out front Pflug looked to have made the move for the win when a a slight error allowed Mihalik to slip by for the win. Pflug however still finished with a strong second. Shogren, even though it took a few laps, was able to cool down his body temperature and get back around Cyr for the third podium place. Cyr held onto fourth ahead of Justin Pokrivka.
I have said it once and I will say it again. Best time I have ever had at a bike race. My hat goes off to Gary and Marc for all their hard work. It sure showed. Thanks to all the volunteers and the SPECTATORS. You guys brought the event to another level.
Next up on the WVCXS schedule is my very own race the Blackwater Cyclocross on Nov. 14th in Davis, WV. You can register on line now at bikereg.com and the first 40 preregistered get FREE messenger bags from Endura!
Ps... West Virginia Cyclocross Standings Updated
Shogren's Win Three, Kessler Wins Vet!
Shogren's Win Three, Kessler Wins Vet
by JR Petsko
This past weekend, round number two of the West Virginia Cyclocross Series (WVCXS) made its way to Fayetteville, WV. With cold weather and some rain the day before, it was typical cross racing conditions. The course, which encircled Fayetteville City Park, was 1.2 miles long and included two sets of barriers and a ton of twists and turns.
Betsy Shogren, Cannondale Factory Team
The day’s first race included the Vet, Single Speed and Women's classes. From the beginning, Josh Feazell (WV Night Club/Endura) was out front and charging on his Single Speed. Behind him, Marc Glass (Backyard Bike Club) was doing his best not to let him get away. However a slight touch of a cold was not making things any easier for him. Feazell continued his march, and 35 minutes into the 40 minute event looked to have things in hand. However, just before getting the cowbell for the final lap, Feazell's rear tire went flat. There was not much he could do except shoulder the bike and run the last lap in hopes that he had built up enough of a lead to hold off Glass. Glass was starting to look a little stronger in the final few laps and upon hearing the news of Feazell’'s misfortune got on the gas. As the final lap ended, Feazell's flat and run proved to be just what Glass needed to take the Single Speed win.
For the women it was cyclocross veteran, Betsy Shogren (Cannondale Factory Team) taking the win. Shogren was able to hold off Kristy Lanier (Dirt Bean) and Laurie Johnston (WV Night Club).
With all three women looking to win the series title, this isn't the last we have heard about these fast ladies! In the Vet Class (40+) Fritz Kessler (Breakaway Velo), long time friend of the ByBc, was on fire. The Frostburg, MD resident worked with Lanier during the entire race and pulled away from the other racers in his class. Second went to Joey Harris and Steve Haroff respectively.
Race #2 included the always popular men's B class (sport/beginner) and the Clydesdale/Tandem class. All eyes were on the Shogren's and their Cannondale Factory Racing Tandem. It had been the hot topic all morning. The folks who had not made it out yet this year were dying to see how they handled the barriers. JR Petsko, (me) (Backyard Bike Club/iPlayOutside.com) took the race's hole shot and looked strong for lap one but then reality set in and I funneled to the back. With a little bit of a slow start the Shogren’s had some work to do but after three laps they found themselves in the overall lead that they would never relinquish. All and all, they had a clear race except for a little barricade tape found in their rear wheel after the race and an unlucky marking pole that they smashed out on the course.
For the Men's B class Jeff Hankens took a 35 second lead into the final lap and never let go of it. Behind Hankens was Mark Peet in second with Eric Hawkenberry in third. Chris Clark put in a great ride for his first ever cross race and finished in fourth. Rounding out the top five was Brian Beckett.
Gunnar Shogren, Cannondale Factory Team
Race #3, the final race of the day, was the men's A race (Experts). From the start, a pack of three riders were off the front which included Gunnar Shogren (Cannondale Factory Team), Brad Schmalzer (Bikeman.com) and Mike "I am not Ryan" Vanderburg. Shogren, with his twenty years of cross racing experience, was too much for the younger riders and began pulling away from the two. However, what he left behind was by far the race of the day. First Vanderburg attacked and was able to gap Schmalzer nicely. It looked as though Vanderburg was going to cruise to an easy second when Schmalzer dug down deep. As the two riders came back together, things looked like they had changed and Schmalzer was running the show. With two laps to go, Vanderburg attacked one more time and a tired Schmalzer was unable to match. Vanderburg took home second with Schmalzer not far behind in third.
In fourth was Andy Forron (New River Bikes). Andy admitted after the race that, "I just didn't have the legs to race with those guys today!" Fifth went Sean Zurek who took home the crash of the day award! Don't worry, Sean, we have called the tree doctor to check on that oak ya hit. Doctor says the patient is fine!
Next up on the WVCXS schedule is Marilla Cross in Morgantown, WV. The race falls on Halloween so that should bring out all the crazies for the race. After the race Pathfinder of Morgantown is holding their annual "throwdown in Motown," during which they truck-in snow and have a snowboard rail jam right outside the store. What fun! And of course don't forget about my big cycling bonanza the Blackwater Cyclocross on Nov. 14 in Davis, WV.
Check out the Series Standings!
by JR Petsko
This past weekend, round number two of the West Virginia Cyclocross Series (WVCXS) made its way to Fayetteville, WV. With cold weather and some rain the day before, it was typical cross racing conditions. The course, which encircled Fayetteville City Park, was 1.2 miles long and included two sets of barriers and a ton of twists and turns.
Betsy Shogren, Cannondale Factory Team
The day’s first race included the Vet, Single Speed and Women's classes. From the beginning, Josh Feazell (WV Night Club/Endura) was out front and charging on his Single Speed. Behind him, Marc Glass (Backyard Bike Club) was doing his best not to let him get away. However a slight touch of a cold was not making things any easier for him. Feazell continued his march, and 35 minutes into the 40 minute event looked to have things in hand. However, just before getting the cowbell for the final lap, Feazell's rear tire went flat. There was not much he could do except shoulder the bike and run the last lap in hopes that he had built up enough of a lead to hold off Glass. Glass was starting to look a little stronger in the final few laps and upon hearing the news of Feazell’'s misfortune got on the gas. As the final lap ended, Feazell's flat and run proved to be just what Glass needed to take the Single Speed win.
For the women it was cyclocross veteran, Betsy Shogren (Cannondale Factory Team) taking the win. Shogren was able to hold off Kristy Lanier (Dirt Bean) and Laurie Johnston (WV Night Club).
With all three women looking to win the series title, this isn't the last we have heard about these fast ladies! In the Vet Class (40+) Fritz Kessler (Breakaway Velo), long time friend of the ByBc, was on fire. The Frostburg, MD resident worked with Lanier during the entire race and pulled away from the other racers in his class. Second went to Joey Harris and Steve Haroff respectively.
Race #2 included the always popular men's B class (sport/beginner) and the Clydesdale/Tandem class. All eyes were on the Shogren's and their Cannondale Factory Racing Tandem. It had been the hot topic all morning. The folks who had not made it out yet this year were dying to see how they handled the barriers. JR Petsko, (me) (Backyard Bike Club/iPlayOutside.com) took the race's hole shot and looked strong for lap one but then reality set in and I funneled to the back. With a little bit of a slow start the Shogren’s had some work to do but after three laps they found themselves in the overall lead that they would never relinquish. All and all, they had a clear race except for a little barricade tape found in their rear wheel after the race and an unlucky marking pole that they smashed out on the course.
For the Men's B class Jeff Hankens took a 35 second lead into the final lap and never let go of it. Behind Hankens was Mark Peet in second with Eric Hawkenberry in third. Chris Clark put in a great ride for his first ever cross race and finished in fourth. Rounding out the top five was Brian Beckett.
Gunnar Shogren, Cannondale Factory Team
Race #3, the final race of the day, was the men's A race (Experts). From the start, a pack of three riders were off the front which included Gunnar Shogren (Cannondale Factory Team), Brad Schmalzer (Bikeman.com) and Mike "I am not Ryan" Vanderburg. Shogren, with his twenty years of cross racing experience, was too much for the younger riders and began pulling away from the two. However, what he left behind was by far the race of the day. First Vanderburg attacked and was able to gap Schmalzer nicely. It looked as though Vanderburg was going to cruise to an easy second when Schmalzer dug down deep. As the two riders came back together, things looked like they had changed and Schmalzer was running the show. With two laps to go, Vanderburg attacked one more time and a tired Schmalzer was unable to match. Vanderburg took home second with Schmalzer not far behind in third.
In fourth was Andy Forron (New River Bikes). Andy admitted after the race that, "I just didn't have the legs to race with those guys today!" Fifth went Sean Zurek who took home the crash of the day award! Don't worry, Sean, we have called the tree doctor to check on that oak ya hit. Doctor says the patient is fine!
Next up on the WVCXS schedule is Marilla Cross in Morgantown, WV. The race falls on Halloween so that should bring out all the crazies for the race. After the race Pathfinder of Morgantown is holding their annual "throwdown in Motown," during which they truck-in snow and have a snowboard rail jam right outside the store. What fun! And of course don't forget about my big cycling bonanza the Blackwater Cyclocross on Nov. 14 in Davis, WV.
Check out the Series Standings!
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