Surf City Success

The Surf City's Velo Bella Halloween race, and the following days Surf City Dia de los Muertos classic were strongly successful events over the weekend. Mike Evans and his crew put quite the awesome courses together at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, and the racing action was tremendously fast in all the divisions. Justin Robinson(Cal Giant Inc.) made the County Fairgrounds his own personal playground on his way to claiming victories on both days in the Men's Elite division. Over the past 10 years or so, Justin Robinson has been Northern California's most consistent Cyclocross bad ass! He is the dominator year after year plain and simple. Robinson uses brute strength, bike handling skills, and constant racing to set the standard extremely high for all to match in the Nor-Cal Men's Elite division. Other Elite Men in Northern California basically try to just reach Robinson's level of Cyclocross game. They then know their season is successful if they top the hard charging man from Bonny Doon. Robinson is not afraid to go up against the best racers in the USA and he travels during the year to some of the most hotly contested races on the schedule. Robinson is a National Champion in Cross and should again be a factor in his new age group at this years Nationals in Oregon. Here are some very good videos of Justin Robinson demonstrating why he is the main man of Cyclocross for Nor-Cal from this weekends racing. Jenny's work-http://www.flickr.com/photos/plattyjo/4066862450/in/set-72157622589370985/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/plattyjo/4066112761/in/set-72157622589370985/ and A40's re cap- http://altezza40racing.blogspot.com/2009/11/bear.html and http://altezza40racing.blogspot.com/2009/11/surf-city-3.html. In the Elite Women's racing over the weekend Kerry Barnholt(Scott/Ritchey), Karen Brems(Webcor), & Stella Carey(HRS Rock Lobster) put on spectacular battles on both days. The return to racing of Carmen D'Aluisio(Cal Giant Inc.) and Gina Hall(Cal Giant Inc.) has really managed to liven up the Elite Women's division in Nor-Cal. It is now a full on show of class and talent when all of Nor-Cal's Elite Women hit the start line. The field is full of legends and the racing level gets elevated each week...

Kerry Barnholt used a last lap push on the final run up to separate herself from Karen Brems & Stella Carey on Sunday's race. Steve Anderson caught the action as it went down......