Central Coast Cyclocross #1- The Feature Event This Weekend

The CCCX Series will host it's opening race this Sunday- Sept. 20, at Manzanita Park in Prunedale. The Central Coast Cyclcoross is the feature event for this weekend in Nor-Cal, and there should be some epic racing taking place in all divisions. This will be the 12th season of Cross races for the CCCX Series. The Manzanita Park venue was the scene of last years NCNCA District Championship race where Justin Robinson & Sarah Maile claimed high honors. The courses at this site have always produced deserving winners. HRS/Rock Lobster vs. Cal Giant Inc./Specialized will be the main event battle in the Elite Men's & Women's races. Or maybe there will be a surprise victory in the Elite races from a rider not on the "Super Teams- Rock Lobster & Cal Giant Inc."- it will be very interesting to see who makes their mark in Northern California Cyclocross 2009...


Cal Giant Inc. sponsored Gannon Myall was the Master 35+ "A" division CCCX Series champion in 2008. Sharing the podium with Myall were Tim Thompson(2nd), Mark Howland(3rd), Keith DeFiebre(4th), and Don Myrah(5th).
Action starts at 9:00 a.m. and it looks to be a perfect day for racing this coming Sunday. All CCCX info can be found here....

http://cccx.org/2009/index.shtml

The Men's "C" division and Junior divisions will open up the proceedings. Nor-Cal's Cross races have developed some outstanding Junior talent over the years. One rider to watch this weekend will be Logan Loader. The fast charging Loader was the 2005 CCCX Series Junior winner and has been competing at a very high level on the Road during 2009- riding for Team Mtn. Khakis. Loader may play a leading role in the Elite division this season.


HRS/Rock Lobster rider Josh Snead was the CCCX Series winner in the Men's Elite division last season.....

The 10:00 a.m. start is the most action packed race of the day. On course will be Men's B, Master Men 35+ B, Master Men 45+ B, Master Men 55+, and the Single Speed B group. Each group start in a separate wave, making for quite the spectacle on course. This time slot produces some of the best finishes of all, with many races coming down to a sprint for the win among a select group of riders in each category.

Buy-Cell.com riders Cesar Chavez and Tim Cannard dominated the "A" Single Speed division at CCCX 2008....

HRS/Rock Lobster will be hard to beat in the Elite Women's race at 12:30 p.m. Sarah Kerlin and Stella Carey are a tremendous 1-2 punch from the HRS/ Rock Lobster team. However, new to Nor-Cal Cyclocross racing is Scott/Ritchey sponsored Kerry Barnholt, and her strength and experience will certainly have a huge impact on the Elite Women's racing during the 2009 season. Barnholt will be competing on Scott Bicycles new ADDICT Cross bike dressed with SRAM & Ritchey components, and she has competed at past Cross World Championship events- thus bringing this experience to the course. A rider of Barnholt's caliber will ultimately pick up the level of all the Elite Women racers this season in Northern California.

HRS/Rock Lobster sponsored Stella Carey is one of Nor-Cal's all time great Cross racers. Carey was the Elite Women's CCCX Series winner in 2005, 2006, 2007, & 2008.....

At press time the weather forecast is a very pleasant 70 degrees and sunny for race day. Bring sun screen and plenty of water.

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USCA0724?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared

Time is ticking for Nor-Cal Cross racers. The season is upon us and the racing action will just get better and better over the next few weeks-months. I do recommend you make the CCCX event. The course is a Nor-Cal classic, and the competition level is very high.

Good luck to all who race!