Race Report: Focus Bicycles presents UCI Weekend – Kross-toberfest Day 2

It turned out to be a stirring weekend of competition in California. It was more than just racing this weekend and Bonelli park, San Dimas, California, turned out to be a great venue for the UCI weekend of racing, bike swap, and more cycling advocacy events that promoter Dorothy Wong made happen. But, the racing was the fastest seen in Southern California cyclocross and exciting for fans and park goers to watch. And, it was possible because of the level of competition in town for the show. The stage had racers from four different countries in the elite fields and a handful of successful U23 talent who showed their talent this weekend.

Elite Women
In the women's race, it was Teal Stetson-Lee (California Giant/Specialized) who looked powerful and confident, coming off her first elite win from day one of the Kross-toberfest event, as she led the women from the start on the newly routed course for the second day of racing. Devon Haskel (Bike Station Aptos) followed with Katrina Baumsteiger (Rambuski Law) and Barb Howe (Ibis) in fourth. Howe looked to quickly move up as Teal slid out in the first lap to go for Haskel but she was passed in the mix up by Sarah Maile (ventana bikes). Teal was up quickly and back on the group. And, it did not take long for Teal and Devon to dominate the front of the race again.  Sarah and Howe were on the chase but in the end it was Teal Stetson-Lee again for the win to dominate the weekend.

Teal Stetson-Lee (California Giant/Specialized) won both days of Kross-toberfest.
Photos by Mark Colton

Haskel took a comfortable second and Howe found herself alone with a small gap as she broke away from the chase to solo in for third. It was Carolyn Popovich (PAValleys.com) who moved up in the field to grab fourth from Maile who rounded out the top five.

Elite Men
With Focus Bicycles Chris Jones still hungry from his mishap with rolled tires and Joachim Parbo (KCH Leopard Cycles) who dominated the end of the race for the win on day one it was no coincidence that we saw the two on the front at the beginning of the race. It was Parbo who took the lead after the fast road start and through the first lap but he slipped back on lap two as Jones and Danny Summerhill (Garmin), who prevailed of the U23 riders this weekend, took to the front. Parbo said later, “I knew the way I felt that I would not break anybody upfront so I allowed myself to drop back. ” It was true that the course favored road racers as it played out in the final results.

Summerhill basically sat second wheel the whole day. He did some of the work but he stayed up front while others set the pace. Early on Kelly Benefits rider, Alexander Candelario took the lead from Jones and set the fastest pace of the race for a lap. But, Jones was strong; he went back up front and put down road style attacks that were one after another.  With about thirty-minutes to go in the race, Jones and Summerhill broke off from the front group until the end.

Danny Summerhill (Garmin) won the men's race on day 2 of Kross-toberfest.
Photos by Mark Colton

Close behind, it was another strong road racer, Jonathan Baker of the Hudz-Subaru team, who also had tire troubles the first day. Baker too wanted the win but later explained he was very happy with third for the day. After Baker it was the talented U23 riders, Jeremy Ferguson (California Giant/Specialized) with fourth and Zach Mcdonald (Rapha Focus) fifth as they just broke off their group in the last lap. It was exciting as the racing was intense through the top ten. The next group had Aaron Schooler (H&R Block), Tyler Wren (Boo Bicycles) and Craig Richey (Cyclocross.com/Blue). It was another sprint and unfortunate to not see Wren grab it in his group, as he was one of the most impressive and consistent racers through the weekend.

The weekend turned out great with warm weather, some showers that brought mud to SoCal cyclocross for the first time in two years, and well planned courses. But, overall it was a great experience to bring UCI racing to the West Coast, with a field of international competition, and to see three U23 riders in the top five of the elite men’s field, as it is a glimpse of the progression and future of US cyclocross.