Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
SCPS #13: Turkey Trot
SCPS #13: Gene Galinedo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross – Sunday, 11/29
What an amazing day of racing to end the month of November and the SoCalCross classics brought to you by Shimano… The Gene Galindo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross 2009 turned out to be a classic with nearly 350 racers showing up for a cool and breezy fall So Cal day. ReMax provided a waffle breakfast for the early morning course workers from PAA and the St. Francis Knights high school mountain bike club.
The course, as usual, did not disappoint but there were more mulch piles about than ever before making for loose single track type turns in the trees. There was one double barrier on a small incline and a run-up including three steps on another 180-degree off-camber downhill turn. Two fast straight passes through the sand pit. The wind certainly played a factor with dirt masks worn by many in the end. With some rain/moisture it would’ve been a little friendlier as most riders said it was a little too dusty but this is the life in sunny Southern California.
One unique aspect of this year’s race was the dominance of top-level mountain bikers in both the elite women’s and men’s classes. In 35+ 1/2/3 multi-time four cross world champion Brian Lopes showed up and won proving that you must be able to pedal fast — even when your main style of racing is going down hill! MTB Pro Heidi Volpe (Sho-Air) gave ‘cross a try on her 29er. In the Elite Women’s race, National Ultra Endurance MTB Champion Pua Sawicki came to play. And in the Elite Mens race Sid Taberlay — who is quickly becoming a CX mainstay in SoCal — and beginning to dominate the elite men’s race.
The morning competition did not disappoint with 35 juniors and youth leading the way and highlighted by sponsor Yucycle (www.yucycle.com) who provided each junior winner with a brand new Yucycle! You couldn’t cross the infield without seeing people pedaling away on these unique three wheeled cycles.
The women’s masters 35+ field just about matching the 45+ men’s participation, which was the largest wave of the day: 45+ and 55+ masters men who were followed by 41 – 35+ riders and the cat 3/4 women.
After the morning action it was the elite riders who took the line who not only looked for the podium spots and prize money, but they knew the elite champs also took home specially engraved belt buckles commemorating their wins.
Elite Women:
In the Elite Women’s race, National Ultra Endurance MTB Champion, Pua Sawicki (Mata/Ellsworth) was present to take on the youth who is dominating the elite women’s field. Sawicki had a tough battle back and forth with Rivera, but proved she can race short, intense races defeating reigning SoCal elite champ Coryn Rivera (Proman) who finished second after-sustaining an injury from a crash with Sawicki. What an amazing finish it would have been. In third it was soon to be series leader, Kendall Ryan (Team SoCalCross-CICLE), followed by her teammates, sis’ Alexis Ryan in fourth and current series leader, Dot Wong to round out the top five.
Elite Men:
Sid Taberlay (Sho-air/Specialized) took the hole shot. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) took the lead before the tight technical turns in the trees and lead the rest of lap one with a large group strung out behind. Bailey’s teammate John Behrens took over to lead lap two with a large group still together including all of the favorites. On lap three Taberlay attacked before the tight turns splitting up the group.
Mark Noble (Nonstop Ciclismo) and Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road) were in the first chase group. Behrens, Gary Douville (Platinum), Jason First (Pioneer), and Brent Prenzlow (B&L/Celo Pacific) were the second chase group. On lap four Tableray increased his lead and Prenzlow bridged up to Noble and Gritters to lead the first chase. Unfortunately, the recently titled district champion Douville was having an off day due to the dusty conditions and pulled out.
By lap five Taberlay was out of reach, but the race for second was still tight. Noble bobbled a corner and Prenzlow and Gritters moved ahead to hold a small gap over Noble.
Going into the seventh lap Gritters crashed hard on some high-speed roots and Prenzlow ran into the back of him. Their bikes tangled and Noble took advantaged to surge back into second. Prenzlow was first back on and chasing as Gritters has to remount his chain.
Noble held a seven second lead over Prenzlow with Gritters another 12 seconds back followed closely now by Behrens, who was looking to strike. Taberlay had now extended his lead to a minute. Noble was not looking to get back to the leader as he worked hard to hold off Prenzlow. Gritters was still fourth with Behrens really close and another rider Jason Siegle (Bike Religion) moved up getting close to Behrens.
On the final lap Taberlay easily rode in for the win with Noble second and Prenzlow third. Gritters held off a hard charging Behrens for fourth while Siegle’s efforts were awesome he could not get Behrens to ride in for a close sixth with Bailey seventh and Kyle Gritters (Rock N’ Road) in eighth.
Thanks again to all who come out and our great sponsors. It was another great week of racing. Remember, there are only two races left in the Prestige Series for 2009. 2010 will bring you SoCal ‘Cross Fever, but next week we hit Balboa Park & the velodrome in San Diego as Adams Avenue joins the Prestige Series for race #14 of 15!
