What a Weekend!

The biggest weekend of the Northern California CX season has just passed, and boy was it a doozy. Riders travelling from all corners of the country for the final two events of the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross were greated with the type of gorgeous weather we've come to expect here and nowhere else during cyclocross season. Regardless of the weather, the Velo Bella and Pilarcitos folks put together a couple of tough and fun courses that were enjoyed by all (except maybe Dave Carr ;-) ). Barry Wicks and Lynn Bessette sealed their victories in the overall series (both riders won Saturday), but the Men's and Women's finales were won by Todd Wells and Wendy Simms, both of whom have been knocking at the door the last few weeks. Excluding new arrival Wicks, Nor-Cal riders didn't factor as prominently in the results as we might have hoped, with Cal Giant's Andy Jacques-Maynes the lone Elite Nor-Cal rider in the men's top 10, Barbara Howe and Christine Vardaros traded turns taking 4th both days, and Melodie Metzger squeaked in the top 10 on Sunday.

Photos and reports have started trickling in, keep checking the Reports/Photos blog for details.

Check out the CyclingNews reports at the following links:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross.php?id=cross/2005/nov05/watsonville051
http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross.php?id=cross/2005/nov05/golden_gate05

District Champs Crowned at Granite Beach

Congratulations to the 2005 NCNCA Elite District Champions Justin Robinson and Josie Beggs. Both riders triumphed in Saturday's District CX Championships in Sacrmento. Linda Elgart sent along a race report with ALL the results and champions - see the Race Reports blog.

http://ncncacxracerpt.blogspot.com/2005/11/district-championships-race-report.html

NCNCA Districts Saturday

So...just a reminder that the 2005 NCNCA District Championships are being held on Saturday at Granite Beach. The Sac folks are putting together a great race on Saturday so come out and compete and/or watch the heavy-hitters battle for the title of District Champion. Also, the promoters of Sunday's Sac Finals event have added more schwag and prizes to Sunday's Final event, so it should make a great weekend of racing!

http://www.velocommunity.com/sacramentocx/about.htm

Velo Bellas Double Up in NJ, PA

The Velo Bella duo of Barbara Howe and Christine Vardaros each took a win in this past weekend's UCI races in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Barbara won a race-long battle with Georgia Gould in Saturday's Lower Allen Classic in Pennsylvania. In Sunday's Highland Park CX race, Howe and Vardaros dropped all the competition with Christine taking the a very close sprint.

CN writeups:

Lower Allen Classic:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross.php?id=cross/2005/nov05/lower_allen05

Highland Park CX:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross.php?id=cross/2005/nov05/highland05

Kerlin and BJM Win Surf City Number BOO

Although many of the NorCal Elite were back East for the USGP races, two familiar winners prevailed at Sunday's festive Halloween-themed Velo Bella Surf City Cyclocross race. Sarah Kerlin (Velo Bella) and Ben Jacques-Maynes (Kodak/Sierra Nevada) took comfortable victories in the Women's and Men's A races on a fast course at Soquel HS. Rich Maile scored an impressive victory in the SingleSpeed class with a time that would have made him 2nd in the A race. Kudos to the Bellas for attracting a strong Junior turnout (esp Junior B's).

Other A winners: Jeremy Blalock (Junior), Alan Coates (M35), Larry Hibbard (M45), and Melanie Dominguez (M35 Women). Mike Hernandez was 2nd in both M35 and Senior A.

Results are posted on the Velo Bella site:

http://www.velobella.org/results_surf_city_2_2005.htm