The SoCal Cross Prestige Series held it’s first UCI event of the cyclocross season at the Fairplex in Pomona with the always fun Spooky Cross. The infield of the horse race track  provided a perfect venue for a great CX course that included a run up, fly over, table tops, a sand pit with a few woops, berms and a rhythm section.
Prior to the UCI Elite Men and Women’s race, the Spooky Cross Costume Night Race got the party started. With Halloween only a few weeks away, the freaks came out for some fun! There were some great costumes ranging from Ninja Turtles to Lance Armstrong being transfused as he rode the course (see photos below).
With valuable UCI points on the line, the race attracted a strong field in the UCI Elite Men and Women’s race. In the Women’s race, Teal Stetson-Lee (Luna Chix) rode a strong and smooth race through the technical sections to hold off Courtney McFadden (Voler/Clif Bar) for the win. Stetson-Lee commented that she liked the technical BMX sections, especially the rhythm section, since she has pump track in her backyard. Awesome!
The UCI Elite Men’s race saw a tighter race with a small group still battling it out with one to go.  The race was still up for grabs and  there was a lot of excitement in the air for the fans as the riders rounded the last corner and headed down the finishing straight. It was a two up battle between Mike Sherer (Optum pb Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Chris Jackson (Castex pb Felt) to the line. Coming to the line, Jackson thought he had Sherer beat and through up his arms to celebrate! Unfortunately, Sherer still had some sprint left and put it in overdrive to pip Jackson at the line. So close, yet so far! A great win and end to an exciting race!
Report & Photos by Christy Nicholson / SoCalCycling.com &Â EchelonDesignPhoto.com
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