SoCalCross Prestige Series Kicks-Off at Irvine Lake Under Hot Conditions
9/28/10 - Despite a cool summer in Southern California, the start of the cyclocross season known as a fall sport saw temperatures hitting 99 degrees just in time for the elite races, and it was a hot start to what looks to be another great cyclocross season in Southern California. Even with the record temperatures for the first week of racing SoCal did not have everyone sitting indoors as more than 350 riders who showed for some heated cyclocross competition.
The 2010-11 SoCalCross Prestige Series continues to grow with over 20 races from San Diego to San Luis Obispo this season and so many exciting stories to unfold. The Series has grown 300% over the past four seasons and in part the women of the sport the largest growing categories. In years past most of the women’s events meshed with men’s fields which either created some conflicts with riders finishing their races early or some aggressive passes from men. However, with some changes and restructuring of race categories this summer the Series has created a structure that allows the women’s fields to race together without the company of men. The response was positive from the women on course and showed some of the best women’s racing in Southern California as the ladies had the stage to put on their own show.
The men's podium at Irvine Lake (l-rt) Brandon Gritters (Rock N' Road),
Sid Taberlay (ShoAir/Specialized), Dana Weber (Trek) and Gary Douville (Platinum).
photo © Kenneth Hill / Light & Shadows Photography
Elite Women:
It was a close battle at the beginning of the race as pro mountain biker Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road Cyclery) introduced herself to the women in her first year of cyclocross by taking the hole-shot. But, coming out of the barriers the field was lined up and Amanda Shaper of the newly formed SDG Factory team took the lead until an unfortunate crash put her out of the running. From this point it was Mann all the way. Dorothy Wong (TEAM SoCalCross) was in hot pursuit of Mann with the rest of the field but once Mann saw her time to break she attacked and continued to open her lead, lap after lap, for her first cross race and victory of the season. Ultimately, the chase group separated and the battle for second was exciting as Wong and Shaper went back and forth chasing Mann. In the end it was Shaper with second, Wong third, Jill Sisamis (Team Duke) fourth, and Rebecca Siegel (TEAM SoCalCross) to round out the top five.
Elite Men:
The pace was set by Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) and Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road Cyclery) as the two ripped off from the start to lead out the race. The field stayed together tightly through the first two laps and then began to break apart. Once, the lead group separated it was Taberlay with Gary Douville (Platinum), Dana Weber (Trek), Gritters, Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/B&L), and John Behrens (Bailey Bikes). But, even this pack did not last long. After a few more laps with the heat, crashes, and water feeds riders were slowing on course. Taberlay attacked and took a lead that separated him from the group and he kept the gas on all the way until the end. While, the chase group duked it out for second place. Eventually, it was Weber who attacked on a pit entry that Prenzlow took to gap the group into three riders. By the end it was Taberlay to take the win, Weber in second, Gritters who fought his way back after some crashes and bike.
