Mani and Trebon Go Two for Two at Spooky Cross
10/17/11 - Day two of the California Gold Events presented by Shimano was a bit of déjà vu. The California sun and dry conditions made for a magnificent day of racing and the Southern California course almost a minute faster in all groups.
The fast course held a mixture of everything. A fast start into a hair pin barrier section, then back on the gas and out of the main in-field to the back of the park for the long deep sand pit that troubled riders all night. On the way back in the course delivered a tricky off-camber right turn that threw riders off. Then it was onto the flyover and back into the main venue for a few more twisty turns, stairs, and more. This was a course that suited Trebon and Mani’s power over the rest of the riders. Race promoter Dorothy Wong wanted to make the Spooky Cross UCI weekend historic and put together the best racing this venue has seen since the land will be developed this year.
Elite Women
Caroline Mani (CC Etupes) took the hole shot again and was off. Sue Butler (River City Cycles) wanted the win and planned to sit on Mani’s wheel to take the win late but she said after the first lap she knew that was not going to happen. Instead it was Teal Stetson-Lee (CalGiant/Specialized) who was closest to reeling in the French national champion. But, Mani would not allow it and stayed on the gas to the finish for her second win this weekend. Stetson-Lee was pushing hard and opened her own gap over Butler who was only 20 seconds back to finish third. Fourth again went to Devon Haskal (Rambuski Law).
Fifth was Chloe Forsman (Race Club 11) who broke off from Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road) who was riding well and looking to put the local SoCal talent on the elite podium.
Elite Men
Ryan Trebon (LTS/Felt) was able to lead out the race from the start and the lead of four set a pace from the start that was all business. While Brian Lopes (Oakley/Ibis) had to start third row again he did not grab the hole shot on day two but he did make the lead group through the first lap along with Todd Wells (Specialized) and Cody Kaiser (CalGiant/Specialized).
Ben Berden (Ops Ale-Stoemper) who finished second on day one was hard on the chase and eventually worked his way into the group after some early bike exchanges. But, midway through the race the heat and pace took its toll on riders breaking groups apart all over the course. Trebon who stayed up front did a majority of the work all day and was looking the freshest of all riders.
With two laps to go it was Trebon and Wells battling up front and just behind it was Berden who was chased by Chris Jones (Rapha Focus). Kaiser was not far behind Jones and was putting in his best ride of the season as the top U23 and eventually to take fifth overall in the elite men holding his gap on Allen Krughoff (Boulder Cycle Sport) who was fourth the previous evening.
The final lap Jones continued his chase but Berden held on for third with Jones fourth. It was another exciting final lap as the night before. This time it was Wells and Trebon together until the sky-over where Trebon attacked. The obstacle led into the last bit of technical turns but the long straights after were what Trebon needed to make his effort work. As Trebon looked over his shoulder coming through the first straight next to the pits he had at least 20 yards on Wells and again he punched it through the final two straights just to make sure his effort would stick for his second win of the weekend.
