CONGRATULATIONS CENTRAL COAST CYCLOCROSS SERIES CHAMPIONS

Karen Brems(Webcor Builders) and Scott Chapin(HRS Rock Lobster) claimed Elite honors for the 2009-10 CCCX Cyclocross Series. The Women's Elite winner Brems had a break-out Cross campaign this season and posted three wins during the six race series. Brems was also second place in the other three races of the CCCX series. HRS Rock Lobster sponsored Jill Fator finished second place in the series standings, and Vanderkitten sponsored Haley Bean was third placed overall. The Men's Elite winner took a different route to the CCCX overall Series title. Chapin did not win any of the six CCCX Series races, yet rode very consistent all season long while making podium finishes in every event but one. Chapin rode to third place in three of the CCCX races, and second place in two of the events. These very high finishes in the speedy Men's "A" division were the key to Chapin's CCCX Series win. The CCCX all time race winner Justin Robinson(Cal Giant Inc.) ended the year ranked second place in the final point standings, yet Robinson did win three out of the five races he entered. Specialized racer Brendan O'Brien finished third overall in the always competitive CCCX Men's Elite division. Junior CCCX Series Champions were Gabriela Crowley(Cowboy Racing), Chance Tiner(Bike Trip/SCJCC), and Tobin Ortenblad(Bike Trip/SCJCC). Congratulations to those riders previously listed, and to the rest of the Central Coast Cyclocross Series winners for 2009-2010- SINGLE SPEED A- Ceasar Chavez(BuyCell.com), MASTER MEN 35+ A- Don Myrah(IBIS-BuyCell.com), MASTER WOMEN 35+- Kathleen Bortolussi(HRS Rock Lobster), MASTER MEN 45+ A- Robert Meighan(Cal Giant/Specialized), MASTER WOMEN 45+- Loren Trent(San Jose), B MEN- Jeff Byrd(VOS Racing), B WOMEN- Courtney Shipman(Team Bike Station Aptos), MASTER MEN 35+ B- Micnael Hyde(Buy-cell.com), MASTER MEN 45+ B- Karl B Ehlert(Webcor/ Alto Velo), MASTER MEN 55+- Bob Guglielmelli(SLO), SINGLE SPEED B- Denis Goeury(Peninsula Velo), C MEN- Mike James(Templeton), C WOMEN- Angela Aldrich(Team Sys Group)...

Photos Of The Week - Team Santa Cruz's Peak Season

It was going to be a epic race any way you looked at it for the Peak Season Cyclocross race at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Recent rains were constant and the deluge was only going to provide Nor-Cal Cross racers with a platform to race in Peak Season conditions. Steve Anderson was there and captured these Photos Of The Week - Version Team Santa Cruz's Peak Season classic. Please read on for Monterey Velo Club's Steve Anderson's selected shots. To get the full effect of the thickness of the mud, and the splendor of the goopy slop, you must click on each photo to enlarge and view. This is the only way to fully appreciate the level of muck that riders toyed in during this event...

IT IS THE PEAK SEASON FOR CYCLOCROSS - FRESNO'S NIGHT RACE SATURDAY - TEAM SANTA CRUZ'S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY

Saturday night in Fresno, Sick promotions will host the famous "Lou" Fest Night Cyclocross race. This event is a true keeper for Nor-Cal Cross. The "Lou" Fest is a one of a kind event here in Northern California, it is night Cyclocross racing where headlights are required. Each year the folks at Sick Promotions keep dialing in the night race experience for the competitors making for an all around fun time for everyone involved. The course is lined with flashing barrier lights on the ground level. And it is always a awesome sight to see Cyclocross riders strung out in a line with headlights and handlebar lights leading the way. This will be the 6th year of the "Lou" Fest event and I highly recommend Nor-Cal Cross racers do not miss the good times in Fresno that will go down this Saturday night. On Sunday it will be Team Santa Cruz's Peak Season Cross race at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville. Peak Season pretty much describes they state of Cross racing right now! Mud will be the featured item of a menu that only Peak Season racing can bring to the table. It has been one of the most dry racing seasons for Nor-Cal Cross that I can remember, and now finally a chance to take part in some true European style Cyclocross. Team Santa Cruz is sure to put together a fine course, and they will back this up with great spirit and a fun atmosphere for racers and spectators. This event also serves as the Santa Cruz County Cyclo-Cross Championship. So major bragging rights are on the line for Santa Cruz County residents. The 2009-10 Cross season is coming to an end, but the best of times are now. The racing in Fresno and Santa Cruz County this weekend will be some of the best Cyclocross action of the entire year. It is the Peak Season for Cyclocross racing in Northern California. Enjoy the mud everyone! Please look here for info on the "Lou" Fest race- http://www.sickpromotions.net/Lou_Night_Race/Welcome.html. And please have a view here for the Peak Season race info- http://www.cyclocross.cx/...

Congratulations Sacramento Series Champions

I would like to personally congratulate all of the Sacramento Cyclocross Series Champions! The Cross scene is very healthy in Sacramento and all of the divisional series champions deserve mention for their great racing. Each regional race series in Nor-Cal lays the foundation for its own local competitors development in Cyclocross. The Sacramento area has a very strong base group of riders, as well as many new cyclists who are first time Cyclocross racers. The Sac. Town Cross series is a true success. Full overall series results can be found here-http://sacramentocx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/2009_final.html. Here is a list of each division winner- Men A- Chris McGovern,Women A- Joan Gregg, MenA35+- Jesse Scatton, Men A45+- Dan Sovereign, Women B- Trudy Bornser, Women C- Karen Baker, Women 35+- Asa Salas, Junior Women- Ramona Sovereign, Junior A Men- Cody Tapley, Junior B Men- Robert Terra, Men B- Darrin Marino, Men B35+- Joe Miller, Men B45+- Rick Kile, Men B55+- John Elgart, Men C- Justin Abbott, Singlespeed- Sage Bauers, Unicycle- Jesse King. Next Stop for Nor-Cal Cross is the "LOU" Night Cyclocross Race in Fresno on Saturday, and the Peak Season event at the Watsonville Fairgrounds on Sunday...

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK FROM CCCX AND SACRAMENTO SERIES FINAL RACES

Some very strong photos were shot from the Central Coast Series and the Sacramento Series final races this past weekend. Jeff Namba and Steve Anderson delivered the goods from two epic days of racing in Northern California. The Sacramento Series final race played out on a stellar course featuring challenging sand sections that tested bike handling and power output. Racing through deep sand can be a art form if done right and the Granite Bay course offered riders a chance to have at the beach-like conditions a few times each lap. There were also some flowing single track sections leading to long straights of wind blown paths that forced riders into groups for protection, or left a rider alone to fend for themselves against the forces of mother nature. The Central Coast Series final turned into possibly the most epic race of the 2009-10 season. Rain peppered the course during the day and created some amazing challenges for the riders who were not afraid to race in the rain. Each turn on course became an adventure and lines changed in the corners seemingly each and every lap. Bikes became covered in mud and wet sand. The constant noise of break pads grinding the rims rang through the air as racers ripped hard on the break levers to attempt to control speed in the muddy conditions. Mud races bring the best bike handlers to the front. A rider who could navigate the race route with creativity and an unconscious insight could gain and advantage on riders who kept to the common lines. When looking at the following photos please click on each photo to enlarge the picture full screen. This achieves the full affect of the great photos that Jeff Namba and Steve Anderson produced from this past weekends races in Folsom and Monterey. Please read on for Photos of The Week from CCCX & Sac. Town Cross Series Finals...

Steve Anderson Ft Ord-
and his full collection- http://www.flickr.com/photos/youngsloat/sets/72157623232697132/

Jeff Namba - Granite Bay-

and his full collection- http://www.flickr.com/photos/jn56/collections/72157623105678037/