Mani and Trebon Win CX After Dark Series Finale
The CX After Dark Series finished in Irvine, CA with Spooky Cross. This UCI weekend and more premier events to come are California Gold Crown Events presented by Shimano. The Hidden Valley Ranch location has hosted many races over the years but this was its last show as land developers have future plans for the area.
The course held a mixture of everything. From the start riders began through long fast turns, into a hair pin barrier section, then back on the gas and out of the main in-field to the back of the park for the long deep sand pit that troubled riders all night. On the way back in the course was fast until the tricky off-camber right turn that threw riders into the hay, literally. Then it was onto the flyover and back into the main venue for a few more twisty turns, stairs, and more. It was fast and fun.
Elite Women
It was French national champion Caroline Mani who took the holeshot to lead the race in style, with her oversized optics that she claimed were perfect for the Spooky Cross event. Sue Butler (River City Bicycles/Ridley) was hard charging along with the rest of the field. But, Mani soloed away from the start to take the win. Butler was close to Mani by the end and maintained her own gap to ride in for second. CalGiant/Specialized rider Teal Stetson-Lee put out a serious effort looking to get Butler in a sprint but she was just seconds off to take third. Devon Haskel (Rambuski Law) finished fourth and Chloe Forsman (Race Club 11) held on for fifth.
Women's winner Caroline Mani sports some huge shades.
photo © CoreyKeizer.com
Elite Men
The holeshot looked like Ryan Trebon (LTS/Felt) was going to take it but Brian Lopes (Oakley/Ibis) shot his way up and snuck on the inside of Trebon through the first corner. It was an impressive start with Lopes third row call-up and he remained on the front leading out the field through the first half of lap one. Then Trebon took over and a group of three instantly broke away up front. It was Ben Berden (Ops Ale-Stoemper) and Allen Krughoff (Boulder Cycle Sport). By lap two Todd Wells (Specialized) had worked his way to the front group and they all seemed to be exchanging the work up front.
Krughoff dropped his chain and another mistake cost him his place in the front group as he slipped back. Chris Jones (Rapha Focus) never made it on the front group but he caught Krughoff and the two battled until there were three laps to go. Jones fell over on a tricky little climb that popped back into the wet grassy field and it was there that Krughoff made his move to open enough of a gap to hold of Jones and finish fourth, for his best race of the season, and Jones fifth.
Up front the battle continued but Wells fell off the group to finish third and the race up front came down to a sprint between Berden and Trebon. It was an exciting finish as Trebon grabbed another win.
