You're Not Done Yet - Peak Season and CCCX in January

Kudos to David Gill and Keith Defiebre - they are hell-bent on keeping the Cyclocross Season going strong right through January. The rest of the world does, so why shouldn't we? There are four races scheduled in January at GREAT venues. CCCX #6 is on January 8th, and David Gill has announced the Peak Season Cyclocross series over the following three weekends, all in Watsonville, culminating with the Santa Cruz County Cyclocross Championships on January 29th. See the Calendar for more details.

Natz Final Day: Compton Repeats, Howe 6th, Beggs 10th, Elgart wins 60+

Katie Compton has repeated as Women's Elite National champion, impressively coming from the middle of the pack on the third and final day of competition on the cold and muddy course in Providence. Norcal riders Barbara Howe (Velo Bella) and Josie Beggs (Starbucks) both managed 6th and 10th, respectively. Also in the Women's top 20 were Ann Fitzsimmons (Velo Bella), Colleen Wanty (Missing Link), and Lauren Costantini (Sycip).

http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross/2005/dec05/UScrossnats05/?id=results/UScrossnats0516

Also on the final day Sacramento race promoter John Elgart (Webcor/Alto Velo) won the Masters 60+ race and Henry Kramer (Cal Giant) took 2nd in the Masters 50-54 race behind East Coast 'cross legend Paul Curley.

Wells upsets Page, Robinson and Metzger repeat

Todd Wells has won his 2nd Elite Men's Cyclocross Nationals over Ryan Trebon and Jonathan Page in very sloppy conditions. The three riders rode together for the first 30 minutes or so before Wells got a gap in the messy stuff and opened it up. Trebon put up a valiant chase, nearly catching Wells on the final lap, but it was too little, too late. Page faded away towards the end. No Nor-cal riders are in the preliminary top 10, but we did secure two titles this morning.

Earlier in the day Justin Robinson (Cal Giant) successfully defended his Masters 30-34 title over a very strong field of riders. Melodie Metzger (Velo Bella) was victorious in the Women's Collegiate race, bringing home that jersey for the second year in a row. Congratulations, guys!

J-Rob winning the Masters 30-34 race
Photo: Abbiorca.com

Melodie Metzger winning the Collegiate race
Photo: Abbiorca.com

Nationals Day One - Messy

Results are up for the first day of racing in Providence. It sounded like a day of extreme weather with all races after 1PM cancelled (the Men 35-39 race was the last to go off). Justin Robinson was denied defending his 30-34 Championship jersey and the race is supposededly rescheduled for tomorrow, but for many riders that is in clear conflict the Elite race that is scheduled to go off later in the day. As far as the races that went off, the results seem to be all over the place which implies it must have been a real mess out there. Mark Noble managed 3rd in the 40-44 race and I can only assume Alan Coates must have had a mechanical given the conditions. Other Nor-Cal standouts where Colleen Wanty (3rd Women 40-44) and Betty Jordan (1st 55+).

http://www.cyclocrossnationals.com/results_05.htm

Good Luck to all Nationals-bound Racers

A bit of snow and rain are in the forecast for tomorrow (Friday), but Saturday and Sunday look to be great racing conditions, albeit a little cold. I'd expect the course to firm up but still be slick from the moisture, maybe even a little icy on Sat AM. By Sunday the course should be excellent. Let's kick some butt and bring some jerseys back to Cali, eh? Good luck!!!

O'Dog and Metzger Take Bay Area Super Prestige Overall

Aaron O'Dell (Rock Lobster) and Melodie Metzger (Velo Bella) have won the Bay Area Super Prestige Elite overall categories. Over the weekend Ben Jacques-Maynes (Kodak/Sierra Nevada) won both Men's events but Aaron was a solid 3rd both days which was plenty to take the series over teammate Simon Vickers and Justin Robinson (Cal Giant). Metzger won Sunday's race and eeked out a slim victory in the overall over Velo Bella teammate Ann Fitzsimmons and Sycip's Lauren Costantini. Helene Drum (Village Peddler) won Saturday's women's event.
James Coates (Amgen/Felt) took the final two races and the series for the M35+ category. Jeremy Ferguson won a close fight for the Junior overall over Andy Goessling (Missing Link), although Logan Loader (Alan Bikes) won both weekend races.

Congrats to all the winners. Results are posted:

Saturday: http://www.pilarcitos.com/results05_3.htm
Sunday: http://www.pilarcitos.com/results05_4.htm
Overall: http://www.pilarcitos.com/2005crossGC_4.htm