Sunday, August 30, 2009

BAR- Best All Around Rider Rankings for the 2009 Season

For the 2009 Cyclocross racing season the NCNCA Cross page will feature a super sized BAR-Best All Around Rider ranking system. The BAR rankings have been used for years on the Road Race side of the NCNCA, as well as for Cyclocross from 2000-2003. One thing that makes the 2009 super sized version of the BAR rankings unique is the fact that all divisions will receive recognition in the overall BAR standings. From 2000-2003 it was only the Elite Men & Women, Master 35+ "A", and Junior riders who received a BAR ranking. Since 2003 Cyclocross has grown in popularity and each race now has many levels of talent on display. So for 2009 the BAR rankings will feature all divisions. The Race for the Chase of BAR points will make each and every race important, and in the end the Nor-Cal's Best ALL Around Riders will be crowned...

Sarah Maile, Beverly Chaney & Karen Brems line out the Elite Women's race at the 2008 District Championships....

Cal Giant Inc.'s Gannon Myall & Anastasio Flores monitor the front at the start of the Master 35+ "A" division at Cyclocross Laguna Seca....

Here is a run down on some of the specifics to the BAR Cyclocross ranking system for 2009.

BAR CYCLOCROSS CATEGORIES:
Elite Men
Elite Women,
Master Men 35+ A
Master Men 45+ A
Master Women 35+
Single Speed A
Single Speed B
Category B Men
Category B Women
Master Men 35+ B
Master Men 45+ B
Master Men 55+
Category C Men
Category C Women
Junior 15-18
Junior 10-14
Junior Women

BAR RACE SCHEDULE:


NCNCA Cyclocross races listed on the current Nor-Cal & Nevada Cross schedule will be included in the year long BAR competition with the first BAR rankings event being the September 20th CCCX event at Manzanita Park, and then all races thereafter being BAR status.

BAR divisional champions will be recognized at seasons end.


Report corrections http://us.mc311.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=joecrosstime@yahoo.com taleoracing.com

Fine print on point structure:

Points are awarded 20 deep in events with more than 20 finishers, as follows: 40, 37, 34, 31, 28, 25, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 .

Points are awarded to all finishers in events with less than 10 as follows: 10th=1point, 9th=2, 3,4,5,6,7,9,11,14

NOTE(S) TO PROMOTERS:


Promoters--event/ad requirements: In order for a race to qualify for BAR points, categories must be picked separately, and the race announcement must advertise that categories will be picked separately.

The categories may be run together (for example, women can be run with B's or masters) but each group must be picked separately.


-Each event that is included in the BAR rankings must provide results from the events in a timely manner.

-Results: Scores will be based only on races for which results are available on-line. If you don't find your placing listed, harass the race promoter.

-Standings will be updated every one to two weeks, subject to results availability.

-Ride Safe & Have Fun!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Calendar Complete- Many Highlights Ahead

The 2009 NCNCA Calendar is basically complete. Looking at the races on tap it is going to an amazing season of Cyclocross. Established Cross series such as the B.A.S.P., C.C.C.X., and Sacramento, will be in action as usual. The biggest news could be the revival of the Surf City Series by Team Santa Cruz. Stellar races such as the L.A.R.P.D. Series, CXSR- Santa Rosa, Sagebrush Series-Reno, will continue. As will Fresno's Homegrown Series, some Velo Promo Cross, and the epic Peak Season races. Combine all of this with one day classics such as Folsom Cross, The Lion of FairFax and Velo Bella's super fun Halloween extravaganza, and there is non stop action all season long...


Keith DeFiebre, Kirk Fitzpatrick, & Julien Villafane, fight out the "hole shot" at B.A.S.P. Golden Gate Park in the Single Speed division. You decide who got the jump?? Fitzpatrick won the race....
The 2009 version of B.A.S.P. #4 at Golden Gate Park is going to be huge, as the powers that be agreed to holding the NCNCA District Cross Championships at this awesome venue for a race.
Thanks goes out to Tom & Alex Simpson for hosting Districts this coming year in San Francisco.

Friday, August 21, 2009

2009 NCNCA Cyclocross Racing Calendar

With the commencement of the 2009 Cyclocross racing season looming on the horizon, The NCNCA Calendar page is close to complete and ready for your viewing pleasure. It looks to be a stellar year for Cross racing in Northern California, and one overview of the event schedule reveals that some amazing racing exploits will occur...


Goeoff Wilcox....

Have a look at the races....

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Josh Snead- Nor-Cal's #1 Cross Racer In 2008

The 2008 Cyclocross season was a break out year for Team HRS/Rock Lobster's Josh Snead. For many years Snead has been one of the fastest Elite riders in Northern California. However Snead could not crack the code of dominance put forth by Cal Giant sponsored riders such as Justin Robinson, and the Jacques-Maynes brothers Ben & Andy. In 2008 things were different. Snead lit up the front of the Elite division time and time again, breaking down Nor-Cal's best Elite riders and solidifying himself as the top gun of NCNCA Cross for the 2008 racing season...



The talented Rock Lobster sponsored rider ended his year with a stylish wheelie and overall title's at the CCCX Series and the Bay Area Super Prestige Series- two of Nor-Cal's hardest series to win.....
Snead shown here pulling Justin Robinson, posted numerous race wins in 2008 and proved time and time again he was the most consistent Elite rider in Nor-Cal during the entire season....
Snead knows that to beat the best he had to master all aspects of Cyclocross. Whether it be bunny-hopping, getting on and off the bike at speed, running over obstacles and up hills, or throwing down power on course. Snead put it all together in 2008 and should be a force again in 2009....


The Elite division of Northern California Cross has produced some of the fastest racers in all of America. Names like Daryl Price, Don Myrah, Justin Robinson, Damon Kluck, and Andy & Ben Jacques-Maynes have graced the front of the NCNCA Elite division over the past 15 years.

Josh Snead added his name to the list of Nor-Cal's pure dominating riders during the 2008 race season. Snead used fitness and fight to bring the action directly to the other fast men of Northern California. Week in and week out Snead produced outstanding rides and left other riders gasping for air in his wake. His Rock Lobster Team was equally as dominate and this in-house strength surely aided Snead's cause during the past race season. I suspect Snead's game will only improve in the future as tasting success usually leads to more of the same in Cycle racing. And for 2008 Josh Snead tasted the most success and was NCNCA's most outstanding male Cyclocross racer.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Velo Girls & Cyclocross Clinic Action

With the Cyclocross race season growing ever so near, more clinic action is being reported. Velo Girls is on their game for getting all riders fired up for Cross season. I tracked down some info on a few upcoming Cross activities with help from Lorri Lee Lown. Now is the time for the Cross specific training to begin, or at least time to start thinking about it...

Velo Girls Coaching Services has sent out some info I would like to pass along regarding some Cross Clinics and Cross specific training.

Be sure and try to make one of these VeloGirls clinics, as one of the instructors will be John Funke. Mr. Funke is super skilled and is one of Nor-Cal's fastest riders when on form. He also is one of the NCNCA's best Cross instructors.

John Funke riding to a high finish in the Men's Elite division....

Here is the info VeloGirls sent out.....
It's August, which means it's time to start thinking about cyclocross.
Dirty Velo Girls Ride @ Arastradero-- every Thursday at 6:00pm at Arastradero Open Space Preserve in Palo Alto. This is an awesome, girls-only dirt ride appropriate for mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes. See http://www.velogirls.com/calendar.phpfor details.
Bike Skills 103 -- Cyclocross Skills-- CO-EDSunday, August 16th 9:00 - 1:00 (San Francisco)Have you been wondering what's all the buzz about cyclocross? It's a fun but challenging sport that's beginner-friendly and appropriate for the entire family. And best of all, it's happening at a park near you! In this four-hour clinic, you'll learn all the skills needed to get started in this incredible sport, including mounts, dismounts, and how to shoulder and carry your bike. We'll also share information about bikes & equipment, the local cyclocross racing scene, and how to train for a successful season. We'll finish off the day with a simulated race and de-brief. You'll need a mountain bike or a cyclocross bike for this clinic. John Funke is our guest coach for this clinic.Registration here: https://www.%20sportsbaseonline%20.com/Item.%20aspx?id=3290
Bay Area Cyclocross Yahoo Group: For all the latest in Northern CA cyclocross news, gossip, and announcements, join the Yahoo Group here: http://www.yahoogro%20ups.com/group/%20bayareacyclocros%20s
Eating + breathing cyclocross? Check out the locally-produced Cyclocross Magazine here: http://cxmagazine.%20com/
For the low-down on local racing, clinics, and news, check out the Northern California/Nevada Cycling Association cyclocross hub here: http://www.ncnca.%20org/cyclocross
Thanks to Lorri Lee Lown and VeloGirls for having such a top notch club producing so much great Cyclocross action.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Simply The Best- Rachael Lloyd- Version 2008

The very best Cyclocross racer from Northern California for the 2008 season was by far Rachael Lloyd. The worlds most difficult races were her stage, and the greatest competition and most talented racers on the planet were her adversaries. Every now and then a rare jewel athlete will form from a region of racing like the NCNCA, and Rachael Lloyd was that one of a kind diamond for 2008...

Lloyd seen here pulling the best racers from the UCI rankings at a World Cup event. In her draft are legends Hanka Kupfernagel, Daphny Van Den Brand, and Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel....
Racing at the World Championships sporting her USA Team kit....
This lady has power, drive, and skills. Combine this with a iron will and super athletic ability, and you have the making for one of the best Cyclocross racers ever from Nor-Cal....
Horrible conditions~~ bring it on says Lloyd....

The 2008 Cyclocross season was a break out year for Rachael Lloyd. Stepping up to a full commitment of racing in the most challenging races in Europe, Lloyd found a home at the front of affairs among the worlds best racers. In the USA she finished 3rd at the Elite National Championships. In Europe she produced numerous high finishes, such as 2nd at Vlaamse Witloof Veldrit - C2, 7th at Cyclo-Cross World Cup #8 - CDM Roubaix, France, 5th at Cyclo-Cross World Cup #9 - CDM Milan, Italy, and 11th and the World Championships.
Rachael Lloyd was Northern California's most outstanding story for the 2008 Cyclocross race season.
It is my pleasure to highlight her performances and give proper respect to a great racer who's 2008 achievements produced possibly the best season of racing ever, from any Cross racer from Nor-Cal. Lloyd has proven herself to be one of the best Cyclocross racers on the planet, and I hope she continues to grace us with her tremendous exploits on the Cyclocross bicycle. Congratulations to Rachael!! Your riding inspires!