Mann and Taberlay Take Cross Wins at DTLA Historic Cyclo-Fest
9/19/11 - SoCalCross eased into the season with the “Tour de Arroyo II,” a showcase of the California Cycle-ways route from Pasadena to Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). The Prestige Series Presented by SPY Optics broke ground, as well, with the “DTLA Historic CX,” a cyclo-fest at Los Angeles Historic State Park, a course uniquely positioned against a backdrop of Downtown Los Angeles and its transportation corridor.
Elite Men
The field took their starting positions with all eyes looking towards Sid Taberlay (Kenda/H20 Overdrive) to lead from the start but it was Ted Willard (SDG/Felt p.b. IRT) who tore down the starting stretch to grab the holeshot. The field lined themselves up and settled in as Willard set the pace for three-fourths of the first lap until he let teammate Jason Siegle pull through and set the first attack of the race. This split the field and made for some hard work as Taberlay pulled the front pack back up to Siegle who continued to lead the race through lap two.
Sid Taberlay (Kenda/H20 Overdrive) went on to win the DTLA Historic Cyclo-Fest.
Photo © Danny Munson
The front group was down to five riders and saw its share of change on the front. By lap three Siegle again saw his chance to split the lead group apart, putting out a big effort on the front that only Taberlay and Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road) could match. The three rode away and continued to battle throughout the race.
With four to go Taberlay began to take charge leading the group through the barriers, Shimano CX rollers and Spy Hill, all of which he never dismounted his bike through. Unfortunately, with a lap and one-half to go Gritters rear tire went flat and he had to roll into the pits as him and Siegle chased Taberlay who monopolized on the issue to take the win. Siegle could not get back to Taberlay on his own but he also benefited from the flat to take second while Gritters swift bike change allowed him to finish third. Fourth was Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. IRT) followed by Chris Jackson (BMC).
Elite Women
Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road) rode aggressive from the start. She grabbed the holeshot with the largest elite women’s field to start the season. The long straight came to a loose gravelly turn where Mann went down. Christina Probert-Turner (The Team SoCal CX) came around Mann and took the lead through lap one with some teammates and the Cynergy girls, Jenna Jammer Kowalski and Julia Lafrachise hungry to get to the front. However, the same aggressive riding that got Mann the holeshot was the same effort that got her back to Turner coming through the finish of lap one. Mann did not look back. Turner pedaled with Mann at first but by the end it was Mann with almost a minute gap on the field.
The women's podium.
Photo © Allison Mann
Turner came in to take second only seconds ahead of her teammate Nancy James in third. It was Kowalski and Lafrachise who rounded out the top five for a glorious day of racing in the SoCal elite women’s field.
