World Class Cyclocross Racers Compete This Weekend in Historic LA State Park
12/2/11 = Seven time US National Champion Tim Johnson, and national champions from Belgium, Hungary, France and Canada will be racing in the downtown Historic Los Angeles State Park. From 8:30 AM until nearly sunset this Saturday and Sunday, riders will compete in the fastest growing discipline for self propelled racing on two wheels, CYCLOCROSS. Presented by Germany’s Focus Bicycles and Cynergy Cycles, its a mix of on and off-road, with steeplechase type obstacles and cross-country running up, over and sometimes through surfaces too tough to bike.
Coming from Massachusetts, Tim Johnson appeared on the World Championship podium in one of his first years of racing, and has since won cyclocross’ US Gran Prix series in 2008, and the North American Trophy in 2009. A number of teams like Tim’s will bring truck, trailers, demo bikes, and other support vehicles, mechanics, and a following of fans! Belgium’s Ben Bender, Hungarian champ Barbara Benko, Rapha-Focus single speed world champions Chris Jones, and Julie Krasniak from France will be in the favorites to watch in the Elite mens and women’s races.
The downtown Historic Los Angles State Park offers varied terrain, historical relics and information to create a fun and learning environment for any and everyone. As Dr. Leonard Pitt said, “No other available 32 acres holds as much opportunity to enlighten us about history and culture of Los Angeles and this region.” Once the hub of all Los Angeles railroad traffic, the park is immediately adjacent to Chinatown, the Metro Gold line, and a short walk from Dodgers Stadium and Olvera Street. Take this greenbelt; add a crazy “flyover,” a race announcer, cheering, clanging cow bells, dogs, kids, gourmet food trucks, beer, a bike vendor expo with cheap and FREE stuff, and you get a festive, prime time party!
The two days are #14-15 in a twenty race cyclocross series organized by SoCalCross.org. Wildly popular in Europe for decades, in the last ten years CycloCross has taken the US by storm! CX is among the most spectator-friendly racing because of its compact courses. Short, fast laps offer prime viewing, where fans can hear the racers gasping, panting for air as they pass an arms length away, hurdling, making seemingly impossible moves over barricades, up hills and steps. Today, you might meet the Pros out on course, and a Q&A around 4PM. At 10AM Saturday Cynergy will host a women’s lounge, ride, and women’s forum. In addition, Cynergy has increased the women’s prizelist to equal the mens!
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