Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross, presented by Spy Optic
SCPS 17: Santa Cross Weekend

Photos: Kenneth Hill

Griffith Park hosted the 2-day cross-centric-bicycle festival the Southern California Prestige Series, (SCPS) called Santa Cross. With many years of Santa Cross events nothing came close to this two-day weekend of fantastic racing, advocacy, family (pets included), fun, and friends.

The course was a challenging bringing the longest climb the series has ever seen. It was a one-minute plus pulse pounding grind from the road of the start finish to the top of the park where racers made a long sweeping left back down through the winding grass/dirt sections of the park. And, along this path racers twisted back up punchy climbs that included multiple small six-inch barriers, risky twisting woodchip sections, and the man made Spy Optic, SPY Pit.

Day 1, Saturday, brought early morning rains but it dried out for some perfect cross racing. The grass seemed to have some slick sections that challenged riders but the Hero Dirt was so gripping riders were carving turns like super bike racers, or maybe that was just the Bostrom brothers. The competitors’ battles were exciting all day but, especially the Fixed Gear Championship of SoCal, with the expected winner tattoo on the line. This was a special race brought by Orange 20 and Team Cadence who came out in force to help set up a fun course full of obstacles.

Fixed Gear Championships:Brian Comer (Acua AL2/SDBC) could have raced the some super master’s event but instead brought out his fixed machine to brave the hilly Griffith Park course, showing the crowds and competitors that we are never too old to have fun. While Comer was off the start first with his senior head start discount, it was Austin Horse (Redbull/Oakley) and Hernan Montenegro (Mash) who crushed the first climb ahead of the field to descend into the park.

There was a lot of fantastic riding going on from all competitors whether they decided to ride with or without brakes and actual cross tires or other forms of fixed specialties. Regardless, the skids on course were enough to make people cheer, along with the spring loaded pedal dismounts.

By the second lap Horse had shown who was going to win as he rode himself away from the competition. In second it was Montenegro who controlled the course without brakes and third was Peter Brandenburg.

Elite Women:Turner, Turner Turner! Christine Probert-Turner (The Team SoCalCross) crushed the race from the start showing her form as she continues to get stronger this season. The chase was the Cynergy Bicycles women Julia LaFranchise and Jenna Jammer Kowalski. The two worked hard and separated themselves with Turner away from the field but by the end of lap two it was obvious Turner was going to ride away with the win.

LaFranchise and Jammer went back and forth but towards the end some mistakes allowed LaFranchise to ride in for 2nd. Jammer was a solid 3rd, with Nicole Brandt (LA Velocity) 4th, and Kate Wilson (Connie Cycling) to grab the final podium spot.

Elite Men:The men shot up the hill with Ted Willard (SGD/Felt p.b. iRT) taking the holeshot and leading into the descent. Three turns in Willard crashed in the slick grass where his teammate Jason Siegle took the lead for the remainder of the descent and into the small barrier section. There Siegle bobbled hopping the barriers and riders instantly shot ahead. Gary Douville SGD/Felt p.b. iRT) and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) came around Siegle to take the lead. Douville was quick to snap around the corner and continued the teams control through lap one.

Siegle had to work his way back to the front group with Gareth Feldstein (Ritte Racing) and others in the chase. The pace was hard and riders were falling apart quickly with the crushing climb. On the third lap Douville went down on the slick grass descent and Prenzlow was away solo with a small gap back to the chase. He was ridding strong and the chase was changing riders as they were getting closer to the leader.

Then with three to go Ben Bostrom (Sho-Air) started to close the gap leaving the chase group and continuing to gain on Prenzlow. Douville and teammate Anton Petrov were close to Bostrom and rode themselves away from others, also looking for the leader.

With two laps to go Bostrom was on Prenzlow’s wheel and still riding hard. Douville and Petrov were back about 15 seconds then the leaders attacked the climbs again to open more ground. After the Spy Pit Prenzlow lead into the mulchy woodchip section but then Bostrom came around with his two wheel handling skills sneaking by to lead into the final lap.

The last lap the Prenzlow and Bostrom punished eachother up the climb and through the lap and it was Bostrom who rode to his first win of the season. 3rd was Douville, with Petrov 4th, and the winners brother Eric Bostrom (Sho-Air) who continued to move up in the group all day for 5th.

Day 2, Sunday, brought more overnight showers and then the skies took a break to present nothing but sun. It was another perfectly cool SoCal winter race with more epic course conditions. The fixed gear championships were done which left the team gift relay race, K9 costume extravaganza, along with a lot more fantastic Santa Cross racing, thanks to the help of Universal Cycles.

Elite women:The women flew up the start and were eying each other for position as the previous days top winner was not in the field. And, leading down the descent it was the birthday girl Hannah Rae Finchamp (The Team SoCalCross) with Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) and the rest of the chase in tow.

Finchamp looked strong was excited about her lead because the girl was not slowing down. Schaper worked hard but the junior having her sweet sixteen was dancing up the hills away from the women. As Schaper and Nicole Brandt (The Team SoCalCross) could not close the gap Finchamp continued to open they faded back. Then Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCalCross) moved her way up in the group to eventually take control of the chase.

Finchamp in the end rolled in for her best birthday ever and first elite win. Her teammates Wong and Brandt were 2nd and 3rd, with Schaper just behind in 4th. And, 5th it was Mandy Melcher who took the final podium spot.

Elite men:The men finally hit the course for the last race of the weekend. The fresh legs of the Gritter’s brothers Brandon and Kyle (Rock N’ Road) took a commanding lead around the top of the course and into lap one. Quickly, the brothers and Jason Siegle gapped themselves off the chase leading into lap two.

It was John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) who controlled the chase. On lap two the brothers lead through the descent and a small mistake by Brandon Gritters allowed Siegle to sneak up to second wheel. Then by the time the riders hit the small barriers Siegle pulled the move used on him the day before and he attacked hopping past Kyle Gritters to take the lead. Coming through the start finish and into the climb of lap three he held a eight-second gap on the brothers.

The whole field was chasing hard and it seemed like a matter of time until things would reform and settle in for different tactics later in the race. However, Siegle was holding his gap and in some sections of the course continuing to gain room. Halfway through it was the same, the brothers charging hard after Siegle and Bailey leading the chase of Prenzlow and now Anton Petrov (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) as others had faded back from the pace.

With one to go Siegle was still off the front with a gap that was between 15-20 seconds most of the lap as he happily took his second win of the season and an early gift from Santa. 2nd was Brandon Gritters with his work horse Kyle Gritters 3rd. Prenzlow and Petrov eventually came around Bailey to take 4th and 5th and finishing another strong day of racing.

It was a fun weekend for rounds 17 and 18 of the SoCal Prestige Series with lots of action and shenanigans. The series takes a break with the approaching holidays and will resume December 31, New Years Eve for round 19 in Irvine, California.

For more information go to: www.socalcross.org

“Miller TIme and Two Win Tim”

See full reports we sent out here:
http://www.cxmagazine.com/miller-win-day-1-cxla

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/article/9371-CXLA-Weekend-Day-One-Miller-Johnson-Take-Ws

Day 2 is going to be wild!

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic
SCPS #13: Turkey Trot- SCNCA District Championships

All Photos Credit: Kenneth Hill
Glendale, CA- The Southern California Prestige Series presented by Spy Optic held its annual Turkey Trot event. The race brought its usual fantastic course, one that racers’ were claiming as the best this season, and it hosted the Southern California Nevada Cycling Association’ss (SCNCA) District Championships for the second year in a row. This event was also a Shimano Gold Crown event giving ranking points for not only National Championships, but the Nor Cal So Cal Showdown coming to Bakersfield at the end of the CX season January 21-22nd 2012.

The holiday weekend did not make much of difference with attendance as SoCal cross has continued to grow, the championship event brought a record number of cross racers and made for some awesome competition as riders came ready to take home their Voler California bear championship jerseys.

The fantastic Turkey Trot course had its usual mixture of terrain and challenges like the Turkey Tot Sand Trap, and tough power grass straights, and added some fun features like the stair steps of Spy Hill, burmmed mulchy turns that built up as the day went on, and more off camber fun than usual through the twisting forest turns.

The races all day long brought out some of the best racing this season. There were exciting sprint finishes and maximum efforts by many racers, who impressed the crowds, from the juniors to the masters age groups. Some really notable battles were between legends Johnny O’mara (Sho-Air) and two-time National CX Champ, Mark Noble (Metal Mtn) in the 40+ and 45+ events.

Elite Women:Allison Mann (Rock N Road) was looking strong taking the holeshot as Christina Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross), and U23 Hungarian Nat’l CX Champ, Barbra Benko (Focus-MIG), Junior National CX Champ, Alexis Ryan (The TEAM SoCalCross), and Jenna Jammer Kowalski (Cynergy Cycles) hung on for the first one and one-half laps. Mann attacked, Turner chased and the two broke away from Benko which split the front group.

Benko was chasing hard with others trying to counter her effort but Ryan and Jammer, got to the backside of the course on the mulchy right hand u-turn, Jammer went straight into the inside post, hooked the tape and it slang her across the course. Jammer unwound her bars, hopped on, and then dropped a chain. The mishaps left her in the dust as the riders rode away. Then Jammer’s teammate Julia LaFranchise came through and passed, as she flailed to get back on her bike but looking to move up to Lafranchise so the two could work together.

Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) was riding up through the group and chased Jammer around for the next half lap and eventually made her move passing over the barriers ahead of Jammer. Schaper continued to ride hard and started to battle back and forth with LaFranchise for a couple laps. The battle came to the last lap when LaFranchise got a gap to take 5th. Ryan stayed strong holding her spot to finish 4th and Benko was 3rd. Alexis Ryan took the U23 district title as a licensed SCNCA rider. The front-runners stayed the same with Turner finishing 2nd and Mann taking her second district championship title in a row.

Elite Men:It was a tactical race from the start. Defending champion Brian Lopes (Oakley/Ibis) took the hole shot followed by Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road) and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus). The rest of the field was trying to sort out and line up behind through the first lap. Gritters went to the front followed by Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law) but the two kept the pace gradual through the lap and front began to look like a line of twelve riders.

Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) came through on lap two, pushing the pace that really broke the field apart, and held it through the third lap. The group that held on was waiting for the next move and Prenzlow decided to make things harder. With five laps to go he started making attacks. Nothing was sticking, people were falling off the group but then coming back as the pace slowed again.

With three laps to go, Ryan Cleveland (Fort Lewis College) made an impressive move and attacked the lead group. Lopes and Prenzlow hung on and as the paced slowed again Gritters and John Bailey (Bailey Bikes), who had already won the 35+ championship early, rode themselves back to the front group. The next lap Prenzlow attacked again on Spy Hill and got a gap up the steps. He drilled it thinking it was his moment to get free and he stayed away the rest of the lap but as he came to the finish Lopes soloed back up to Prenzlow.

With one lap to go now it was Prenzlow and Lopes with Bailey and Cleveland chasing. Prenzlow continued to lead and used the steps again to shake Lopes but he stayed glued to Prenzlow. The two passed the pits one last time which only left a few grassy turns left Prenzlow started his sprint. Together they came into the second to last straight away and Lopes beat Prenzlow to take the inside line on the left hand turn. Then quickly again into the next right hander giving him just enough of a lead to set up the final sprint and take his second district championship much similar to his battle with Prenzlow in 2010.

Ryan Cleveland continued to ride hard to out sprint Bailey for 3rd. Morgan Ryan (The TEAM SoCalCross was the best regional U23 rider and took the title. Bailey was 4th on the day but the bronze medalist CX1/2. Brandon Gritters came in to round out the top five.

It was another great sunny warm SoCal weekend and Turkey Trot event with exciting racing as 21 district champions were crowned from juniors to masters and elites. And the season is not over as next week will bring the second round of California Gold Cup events sponsored by Shimano. This UCI event weekend will bring more of North Americas top competitors to the Los Angeles historic park event for some great SoCal action.

For more info go to: www.socalcross.org
Disrict Champions
Men
Elite: Brian Lopes (Oakley/Ibis)
U23: Morgan Ryan (The TEAM SoCalCross)
Cat3: Gareth Feldstein (Ritte Racing)
Cat4: Luis Garcia (Mudfoot)
35-39: John Bailey (Bailey Bikes)
40-44: Sam Ames (Action Sports)
45-49: Mark Noble (Metal Mtn)
50-54: Johnny O’mara (Sho-Air)
55-59: Jonathan Livesay (Montrose Bike Shop)
60-64 : Jon Miller (Platinum Performance)
65+: Robert Llamas (Montrose Bike Shop)
Women
Elite: Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road)
U23: Alexis Ryan (The TEAM SoCalCross)
Cat3: Nancy James-Klinger (The TEAM SoCalCross)
Cat4: Shannon Castle (PAA)
40-44: Laurie Winter (team Redlands)
45-49: Christina Probert Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross)
50+: Carol Ruckle (Team Redlands)
Single Speed
A: Eric Bosrom (Sho-Air)
B: Ricardo Mejia (Golden Saddle Cyclery)
Women: Christina Probert Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross)
Junior Boys
10-12: Nathan Hickey (Pablove)
13-14: Sean McElroy (The Block)
15-16: Doug Hall (The TEAM SoCalCross)
17-18: Tyler Schwartz (Surf City Cyclery)

Junior Girls
10-12: Cheyenne Comer (Acqua AB2/SDBC
13-14: Hannah Eckval (The TEAM SoCalCross)
15-16: Amelia Tanner (JET Cycling)
17-18: Hannah Rae Finchamp (The TEAM SoCalCross)

Youth:
Under 10: Colin Ames (Action Sports)

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic
SCPS #12: Cambria Cross – West Coast Collegiate Racing

The SLO-Nexus cycling club hosted the final race in the northern region of the Southern California PRESTIGE SERIES of Cyclocross presented by Spy Optic The day was superb with cool crisp yet sunny conditions. The race in Cambria was also known as San Luis Obispo (SLO) Cross #2. Race #1 was held at El Chorro Regional Park in SLO. It also hosted a West Coast Collegiate CX race not seen since Irvine a few years ago. Hope to see more WCCC CX races in the future!
Also regarded as the Central Coast region, San Luis Obispo grew into the Prestige Series as USA Cycling’s local Association (SCNCA) region covers San Diego to San Luis Obispo to Nevada. Next Sunday’s Prestige Series race in Glendale will also be the SCNCA District CX Championships hosted by PAA Pasadena Athletic Association, Montrose Bike Shop and The TEAM SoCalCross. A great opportunity to get all in the region together for bragging rights to wear the Bear!
This weekend was supposed to be another double header but with the loss of Convert Cross this weekend it became for many a choice between racing, relaxing, heading up to SFO for Single Speed Worlds and.or all of the above for some. Coast Union High School in Cambria made for a good choice for a cross race with large baseball fields allowing for tricky turns and power grass straights then the route took riders off the field for dirt track that tested riders skills bunny hops, steep climbs, tight turns and a steep run up back to the grass meandering riders back to the start for another loop. The baseball diamond making racers and spectators ‘cross-eyed’ as it looked like racers were literally riding in circles. Good times and great vibes from the morning until sunset including a catered BBQ lunch. All were treated to a great day of racing in Cambria!
The highlights of the day was certainly the Men’s B race with young Junior, Sean McElroy (Team Block) breaking up the men’s field on the first lap and never looking back for a solid win and his second race of the day in which he won the Junior race commandingly.
The elite Women’s race was led out by Trina Baumsteiger (Rambuski Law) setting the pace and stringing out the field from the start. Coming back from a gnarly crash the weekend before – powerful rider Ellen Sherrill (Bike Aptos) took a spill at the barriers allowing for riders to get past. Dot Wong (The TEAM SoCalCross) and Mary Ellen Ash (Bike 101 HRS Rock Lobster) stayed together for the entire race with Wong powering away on the last lap to take 2nd and Ash 3rd.
In the elite Men’s race, the group strung out but a solid front group of 6 stayed together for most of the race. The short course kept the top elite men out there for 12 laps=12xover the barriers, 12xup the run up and a great opportunity to practice CX skills. Finally the race broke apart with Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific-Focus), Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT Wheels), John Behrens and John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) staying together. On the last lap Brent put his power down and drove ahead to gap Siegle and Behrens who finished 2nd and 3rd on the day. John Bailey held on for 4th and it was an exciting sprint finish for the last podium spot between Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law) and Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT Wheels) with Chris Jackson taking the photo finish sprint.

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic…
SCPS #11: Velocity Cross… a Shimano CACX Rankings Race for Championship Showdown in Bakersfield 1.21-22.2012!

November is California Cyclocross Championships (CACX) rankings month presented by Shimano. Each region, Southern and Northern California, will bring rankings points for starting positions to the Nor Cal-So Cal Showdown and end of season finale in January 21 and 22, 2012 in Bakersfield. Southern California has bragging rights after last year’s event and committed So Cal Crossers lined up this weekend in Chino to earn their SoCal rankings at Velocity Cross. Nor Cal’s Stafford Lake CX race last week earned rankings and each region’s District Championship race along with last year’s winners will bring the best from each region North and South to the $10,000 showdown in Bakersifeld, CA 1/21-22/2012.

The Velocity Cycling Club worked hard with series promoters to bring another fantastic course to the series at Prado Regional Park in Chino, CA less than 40 miles from Downtown LA for the second year in a row. It was predominantly a grass course, with some loose dirt sections through the baseball infields, and road start/finish stretch. The course had a fun mixture of off camber turns, uphill sections including the Spy Stairs, and Shimano Barrier sections. The biggest challenge were the numerous sloggy grass sections aways from Saturday’s rain that did not allow for much rest and proved best for the strongest riders each race.

Elite Women:
Tri-athlete Heather Jackson (K-Swiss) got a little cross bug after a weekend of racing in San Diego two weeks ago and came out to Chino this week motivated and riding strong. Jackson weaved her way to the front to set the pace which split the field immediately and it looked like Christina Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross-Turner) was the only rider able to challenge as the two got a gap half-way through the first lap.

The chase, just seconds behind, was led by Junior Hannah Finchcamp (The TEAM SoCalCross) returning after a could weeks rest from winning the X-Terra World Championships, but as they came to Spy hill the second wheel, Julie LaFranchise (Cynergy) went down. Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) and others moved quickly around to join Finchamp again in the chase. Then on the last part of the first lap there were more crashes as the group snaked through the trees, taking the front of the chase group including Schaper and Anna Fortner out of the race. Jenna Jammer Kowalski (Cynergy) snuck through the carnage and to lead the chase.

The second lap made the race and things began to calm down. Jackson kept charging hard on the front and put in the fastest women’s lap of the day, riding away from all others to eventually solo in for the win. Turner stayed away from the chase group as well to take 2nd. And after some back and forth action the emergent junior Finchcamp rode away from Jammer for 3rd. 4th was Jammer and 5th went to birthday girl and super promoter Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCal Cross).

Elite Men:
Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pcific/Focus) lead down the starting stretch of pavement, but was passed by Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road) as racers entered the grass. Then a couple minutes into the lap Gritters messed up a turn and Prenzlow lead the rest of lap one. The front group was pretty large coming through lap one as riders where waiting for a big attack.

After a few laps it started to shake down. John Behrens (Bailey Bikes) got to the front, Kyle Gritters (Rock N Road), B. Gritters, Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt), and Prenzlow were off to make up the front group. Douville began to let up a bit and Prenzlow had to go around to stay in the front. This lead four established themselves for the next few laps.
After Behrens pulled for a couple laps, K. Gritters took over working for brother B. Gritters. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) was chasing solo with Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt p.b.Irt) just behind him. The leaders stayed together and with three laps to go Bailey was fading back and Seigle moved up to within fifteen seconds of the front group. With two laps to go K. Gritters lead until his chain dropped. Behrens took over the front, followed by B.Gritters and Prenzlow. Siegle was very close behind alone, but couldn’t get on.

On the final lap, Behrens who was riding impressively strong lead, Prenzlow was watching closely. 1/2 lap to go and B. Gritters passed on the right before the Spy steps and Prenzlow then countered to pass on the left. They quickly remounted and on the off camber Prenzlow went low with more speed and passed Gritters. Prenzlow come out of an off camber 180 degree corner and sprinted, he took the next 2 corners max, and attacked again to get a gap. He applied one more little sprint past the pits and nailed the S-turn through the trees. It was just enough to hold a six second lead to the finish straight. B. Gritters held off Behrens for 2nd. Siegle was alone in 4th, and Kyle recovered to take 5th.

It was some exciting action again in Chino as many groups in the series continue to see different winners each week. A sign that shows the competition is growing and the training riders are putting in this year. With riders now halfway through their season, now is the time to get focused. The Southern California (SCNCA) District Championships take place Sunday November 27 in Glendale – Turkey Trot Cross! Next week the series heads back to the central coast, Cambria, for the last of the central coast events this year and the first West Coast Collegiate Cycling race since Irvine in 2008.

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic
SCPS #10: LIVE! Long Beach CYCLO-FEST

This week was the 10th event of the Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross: LIVE! Long Beach, CYCLO-FEST, an idea of promoter Dorothy Wong, advocating a healthy lifestyle and promoting the benefits of the bicycle within each community the Series visits. This is the fourth time El Dorado Park has hosted a cross race, but never has it been like it was this past Sunday. The usually sunny Southern California weekends turned into dark cloudy and cold (40’s) as SoCalCross saw its first forms of Fall this first week of November in addition to falling back with the time change, the stormy weather blew through the City of Long Beach presenting some real cross conditions.

The course was a mixture of about 70% grass, 20% paved, and 10% sand/dirt. The grass, while absorbing most of the rain did have a bit of mud and a lot of heavy pedaling sections. The paved became an area of strategy for racers to recover and the deep left curving Shimano sand pit was the one of the biggest challenges as riders continuously struggled trying to ride the pit. The biggest challenge of all really just came down to muddy turns and the SPY staircase.

Elite Women:
Jenna Jammer Kowalski (Cynergy Cycles) was hot off the start, grabbing the hole shot and pushing the pace through the first half of lap one. The rest of the women lined up after the first turn to chase down Jammer. Series leader Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road) was a few wheels back and Christina Probert-Turner (The Team SoCal Cross) made the first move in the chase coming out of the sand and making her move to past Jammer to take the lead. The rest of the field responded to new pace Turner was pushing as she blew things apart on the second lap taking only a few select riders with her up front.

After Turner it was Mann who continued to work her way up and set the fastest lap of the day, on lap three, as she took control of the race. The entire race remained close as Mann would open some space Turner would close it down. The rest of the women worked hard in the battle for third as these two gained 5-10 seconds on the field each lap. Eventually, Mann took the win holding off Turner as the two put together some amazing racing.

Amanda Schaper (Ritte Raceing) made her move around Jammer early was close with the leaders for a couple laps but settled in for third just ahead of Jammer in fourth. Fifth was Nicole Brandt (LA Velocity) who had a great start and was consistent all race to hold off the experience of Series leader, Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCal Cross).

Elite Men:
It was another exciting, tactical and fast paced aggressive race for SoCalCross’ elite men with challenging course conditions. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) took the hole shot followed by Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road) Garry Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt), Kyle Gritters (Rock N’ Road) and Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law). The rest of the field filled in but the front instantly pushed the pace.

The first few laps from front to back were aggressive, blocking, bumping and fighting for positions. Douville attacked at the end of lap one before the log jump so that he could get a clean bunny-hop over it, but B. Gritters blocked and K. Gritters took the outside line attacking into the log section. Through the first two laps this seemed to be the case. There was a lot fighting and blocking for position especially as the Gritters’ brothers strategically tried early tactics.

A few laps in and Douville led the chase to bring K. Gritters back in to the group. Jackson has seemed to have a string of bike issues lately and again he had to pit a couple times which unfortunately pushed him back in the field. The sand section ended up being where gaps were opening and Douville lost ground mid race.

B. Gritters and Prenzlow attacked as Douville had to chase with K. Gritters on his wheel. John Behrens and teammate John Bailey were behind and looked like they could close down the last 10 seconds gap to Douville. Gritters and Prenzlow couldn’t agree to work together which allowed Douville again the chance to pull back on to the front group.

With two laps to go the group of four was back together but B. Gritters again cleans the sandpit and attacks. Prenzlow dismounts which slowed the chase and again Douville was chasing with K. Gritters on his wheel. This time B. Gritters and Prenzlow who quickly surged back up created a big gap that could not be closed.

K. Gritters flats right at the bike pit and Douville attacked ahead to hold off Behrens who was maintaining a close 5-10 sec gap. In the end Brandon Gritters took the win to continue to secure his SoCal Series lead. Prenzlow was a close second, third was Douville, with Behrens just behind in fourth and Kyle Gritters to round out the top five.

Next week the Series will head inland from the beach for Velocity Cross in Chino, California. November is California Cyclocross (CACX) Championships month. One race in each region will bring rankings = starting positions to the Nor Cal-So Cal Showdown and end of season finale January 2012 in Bakersfield 1/21-22/2012. Saturday 1/21 being the Prestige Series finale and Sunday 1/22 the Nor Cal, So Cal Showdown. The two rankings races are:
● NOR CAL’S STAFFORD CX 11/6 in Novato… Marin County.
● SO CAL’S VELOCITY CROSS 11/13 at Prado Dam Regional Park… Chino.
Each region’s District Championship and last year’s showdown will also stage riders to the front for each category race. Southern California has bragging rights so far!

For more information go to: www.socalcross.org

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic
SCPS #9: Adams Avenue Cyclo-Cross

The SoCal Prestige Series headed deeper south to Balboa Park in San Diego for day two of another two-day race weekend. This race as in years past had its fantastic track start and finish. The remainder of the course was a great mix and the best set up that could have been done in this park.

Elite Women:
Focus racer Laurie Tremor had the hole shot, with Ritte Racing’s Amanda Schaper in 2nd, followed by pro triathlete and Trek athlete Heather Jackson, local Rock N’
Road athlete Allison Mann and Ellen Sherrill (Bike Station) after who was strong with two wins the previous weekend. But once they settled onto the course moving out of the track Mann pulled into the lead on the first dirt section. She was barely maintaining the lead after a bobble in a loose corner. Sherrill stuck like glue to Allison’s wheel as the two opened a gap to the rest of the field. By the end of lap one the leaders headed into the twisty grass infield section and Sherrill went to the front. However, Sherrill hit the tape and Mann closed the gap back to the leader.

Sherrill briefly took the lead on lap two but Allison went around as
Jackson was closing the gap on the leaders. Jackson took the lead from the two accomplished cross racers and led for another one and one-half laps,
strategically attacking on the technical dirt section, and was able to
create a gap to Ellen, who was soon passed by an on the throttle
Heather. The 3 maintained an even gap for the remainder of the race as
Allison sat up to enjoy her “Paris-Roubaix” style velodrome win, with
Heather 2nd, followed by Ellen, Christina, Megan, and Amanda 6th.

Elite Men:
Sunday was more of the same as Steve Tilford set the pace around the track and pushing the pace through the first lap. It was not as many fireworks as the previous day with crashes and flats but again Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law) flatted, unfortunately on lap one and was off the front group.

The group maintained together well and rode around exchanging the lead especially through the twisty power grass section. Again, halfway through Tilford was out of the race from an unfortunate chain issue. Many other riders were having issues as the fast lead pace was making them smash through the loose rock section. Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road) realized later he had cracked both rims with two to three laps to go.

With one lap to go, John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) attacked and Gritters responded. The two dropped the previous days winner Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) as Bailey was hungry for redemption from Saturdays ride. Then Bailey crashed and Gritters was able to sneak away to solo in for the win.

The rest of the field came in close behind and Prenzlow grabbed 2nd after passing Bailey from after his crash. Bailey was 3rd and teammate John Behrens was 4th, and Gary Douville who popped the front group with a few laps to go held on to finish 5th.

Next week the series settles down with a single race weekend at the always-fun Eldorado Park event in Long Beach, California.

For more information go to: www.socalcross.org

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic
SCPS #8: SPYclocross

The Southern California Prestige series headed south towards the border this past weekend for double days of racing in San Diego. The Saturday event was created by the series’ presenting sponsor, Spy Optic, and hosted by Ranchos Cycling along with Team SPY-Blue. Everyone came together to put forward an event to benefit the San Dieguito river park’s open space and multi-use trails.

Along with raising money for the open space Spy wanted a fun event that would challenge competitors. They explained it best, “it’s a crusty 2.5km, spectator-friendly, all-dirt course that’s fast and furious, difficult and delirious, with downhill sections of varying speed and width, tight sandy turns, a unique “beach” section that runs along the shore of Lake Hodges, a sandpit and long, steady uphill sections with agonizingly placed barriers. This course will challenge every muscle in your body, every cubic inch of your lungs, and we’ll see just how good you are at handling your bike. Somewhere in the mix of it all you will realize just how much fun pain and suffering can be… it doesn’t hurt that there is a strategically placed beer garden where you can sit and imbibe glorious malt beverages while watching others suffer over much of the course or you can hike to the top of a nearby hill and see the entire course.” And, it was exactly that.

Elite Women:
The women pedaled out on the crusty course into the first set of right turns. It was The Team SoCal Cross’ own Christina Probert-Turner, (CPT) with the hole shot and Allison Mann (Rock N Road) close behind. First time cross racer and pro triathlete Heather Jackson joined the mix and the rest filed in as the women set out on course.

By the far-end of the course Mann took the lead before entering the first chicane. By the time the women came through the sandy beach section it was obvious Mann had the race won. Jackson was making moves and chasing down Mann but an unfortunate flat gave CPT an opportunity to monopolize upon. CPT took 2nd, with a hungry Jackson 3rd, Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCal Cross) 4th, and teammate Nancy James-Klinger 5th.

Elite Men:
Four-time cyclocross national champion Steve Tilford (Tradewind Energy) came to town and showed his experience as he snatched the hole shot and set an amazing pace, putting down the fastest lap time of the day. Tilford’s effort split the elite men apart halfway through lap one. A group of five stayed with him and John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) was the first to counter Tilford as the front group was crushing the course.

The front group stayed in tact exchanging work and by the third lap John Behrens (Bailey Bikes) and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus), who was in ninth after a bad start, caught their ways back on the lead group. Coming into the fourth lap Bailey and Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law) had both flatted and crashed putting them of the group. By the end of the lap Prenzlow attacked on the climb, Tilford was immediately on his wheel, and Behrens held in too. Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road), Phillip Tintsman (Masi) and Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt) faded back.

The next lap coming out of the sand steps, Tilford hit his knee on this stem (a knee he already he had an issue with), and had to pull out of the race. Behrens was the only one left of the group. Prenzlow rode Behrens off his wheel with 2 to go, and soloed in for the win. When the rest came in the top five were Behrens 2nd, Gritters 3rd, Tintsman 4th, and Douville 5th.

It was a fun day for a good cause thanks to Spy Optic and a great first day of racing as the SoCal Prestige Series headed deeper south day two for Adams Avenue Cyclocross event, part cross, part track, and tech fun.

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY
SCPS #7: SLO Cross – El Chorro Regional Park

National Champions Taking the Series Lead

Day two of the California central coast events hit San Luis Obiso for the “SLO Town Throw Down.” The course was much more of a mixture of terrain from the previous days Dirt Club Cross. The course set in El Chorro park had a variety of dirt, grass, wood chips and sand with fast flowing descents. Some large holes/bumps made for some good technical additions to the course as riders had to avoid them to not crash or have catastrophic gear failure.

The morning was brilliant and the fog from Morrow Bay cleared out to be another sunny Southern California race. The single-speed race was a great race for the second day as there was another great battle between Stevenson (Spy Optic) and Alan Danger Zinniker (Ritte Racing). But, Stevenson gained a small gap because of his mountain biking skills and dominated the course.

Elite Women:
Ellen Sherrill (Bike Station) came out again hungry for another win. From the start it was Sherrill but Trina Baumsteiger (Rambuski Law) followed close looking to make a move on Sherrill as she lead the women out on course setting the pace for the second day of racing. Julia Lafranchise (Cynergy Cycles) led the chase as the two front ladies gained some space through lap one.

It wasn’t long until Sherrill, like the day before, rode off by herself to solo in for a repeat of the previous day. The race was for second became the real battle as the leader rode away for the win. Lafranchise rode back towards Baumsteiger with teammate Jenna Jammer Kowalski and Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) in tow.

By the second to last lap Baumsteiger had moved off the chase group to comfortably take 2nd. Lafranchise put her own gap between the group and rolled in for 3rd. Behind, it was SoCal Cross race promoter Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCal Cross) showing her experience to pass Kowalski and Schaper for 4th. Schaper who made a move through the sand to pass Kowalski rolled in to grab 5th.

Elite Men:
Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus), Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law) and Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. IRT) were one, two, three out of the gate. A lap and one-half in to the race Douville made his move up the back road climb and gained about five seconds starting lap three.

John Behrens (Bailey Bikes) moved his way onto the front group and made his own attack to chase Douville leaving Jackson and Prenzlow working together. Douville led for a few more laps until his bars slipped and challenged his descending ability. Behrens took over the lead and his teammate John Bailey continued to move up after an unfortunate battle with a hole on lap one that put him down. Bailey brought Jackson up with him and the two worked to reach Behrens.

When the two connected to the front group there was one and one-half laps to go, Jackson instantly attacked with a big surge that split the group up for a lap. Then on the last lap Behrens worked back onto the group after Jacksons effort and he went for the attack. It was a good effort but countered by Jackson and Bailey. Douville slid out before the descent and could not pass Behrens once he was back. The group of four came flying into the last set of barriers before the last two turns of the race. Jackson sprinted it out to take an exciting win. Bailey was 2nd, Douville 3rd after he squeezed around Behrens in the final turns. John Behrns was 4th and Prenzlow was just off the front four to take 5th.

Jackson with the Win

It was a fun weekend of events for the Southern California Prestige Series as it joined the growing central coast cross scene. Next week follow the series south to San Diego for another two days of racing. First will be SPYclocross, Spy Optic’s title event and benefiting San Dieguito River Park. Day two will be hosted by Celo Pacific & Adams Avenue Bicycles at the San Diego Velodrome in Balboa Park, an always entertaining event with the Paris Roubiax style velodrome finishing lap.

For more information go to: www.socalcross.org

Results
Elite Women:
1. Ellen Sherrill (Bike Station)
2. Trina Baumsteiger (Rambuski Law)
3. Julia LaFranchise (Cynergy Cycles)
4. Dorothy Wong (The Team SOCal Cross)
5. Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing)
6. Jenna “The Jammer” Kowalski (Cynergy Cycles)

Elite Men:
1. Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law)
2. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes)
3. Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt)
4. John Behrens (Bailey Bikes)
5. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus)
6. David Forkner (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt)

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY
SCPS #6: Dirt Club Cross

California Happy Cows Looking for a Race

After a fantastic weekend of UCI events the Southern California Prestige Series presented by Spy Optic headed north to Santa Ynez valley for race six of the series. Michael Hecker’s Dirt Club known for its mountain bike races was the host to its second ever cyclocross race and like the year before they put together a fun course of long straights, tight turns, and some technical twisting descents.

Saturday’s racing started off cool but things heated up quickly in the valley of vineyards. It was warm but a typical lovely sunny California weekend. The fields were loving the course and the rest area of spectators and local beers in Charlotte’s Meadow.

Elite Women:
Ellen Sherrill (Bike Station) traveling all the way from Lake Tahoe smashed her pedals down to take the hole shot and lead the women setting a hard pace. The rest of the field lined up chasing Sherrill but half way through the first lap as the women went over the log run up and down through the lose turns Sherrill looked over her shoulder to see her 15second gap that she monopolized on through the entire race.

In second Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) was chasing with the women close on her wheel but a slip through the lose corners, caused a spill that lost her position as two riders snuck past. With the group in chase of Sherrill the women of The TEAM made their moves and charged past.

With one lap to go Sherrill kept her lead with Dorothy Wong and teammate Nancy James (The Team SoCal Cross) charging for the line. In the end it was Sherrill who took the win with Wong 2nd, James 3rd, Schaper 4th, and Julia LaFranchise (Cynergy Cycles) 5th.

Elite Men:
The long starting straight went into a loose left turn where riders waded up and a small group formed on the front immediately. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) took the hole shot with Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road) second wheel and then Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. IRT). Other riders rode their way back up behind the front three but the leaders made things hard early in the race.

Prenzlow lead out the first lap then Douville took charge on the second lap and he held it for two. Douville hopped the log run up gaining a few seconds off the front with each lap but by lap four Prenzlow attacked pulling Gritters up with him. Again, Prenzlow was on the front and led until David Forkner (SDG/Felt p.b. IRT) caught the front three. Instantly, Forkner attacked and it blew the front apart as Prenzlow and Gritters counter attacked to ride away from the SDG/Felt riders.

With two laps to go Gritters was able to open just enough of a gap to hold off the rest of the field and take the win. Prenzlow attacked the chase on the last lap to finish 2nd. Forkner was close behind Prenzlow for 3rd. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) who dangled off the lead group all day put out some impressive late efforts to pass Douville for 4th and Douville was 5th.

A great day of racing at the Dirt Club was a perfect warm up for the double weekend of Central coast racing as the series went to San Luis Obispo, California Sunday.

Results
Elite Women
1. Ellen Sherrill (Bike Station)
2. Dorothy Wong (The Team SOCal Cross)
3. Nancy James (The Team SOCal Cross)
4. Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing)
5. Julia LaFranchise (Cynergy Cycles)

Elite Men
1. Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road)
2. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus)
3. David Forkner (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt)
4. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes)
5. Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b Irt)

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross
SCPS #5 & UCI California Gold Crown Event
“Trebon and Mani Déjà Vu”

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.

As described, 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. 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.

Elite Women:
Mani, Mani, Mani! 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 20yards 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.

It was an exciting weekend of California racing and there is more to come. The California Gold Events presented by Shimano will host another UCI weekend this year, December 3-4 in Los Angeles. The race entertained people last year with some tight challenging turns for racers and this year event “Live at the Greek” will bring something as spectacular as this past Spooky Cross weekend.

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross
SCPS #4: Spooky Cross/CX After Dark Series Final
“Trebon again and Mani Solos to Win”

The CX After Dark Series finished in Irvine, CA with Spooky Cross. This UCI weekend and more premier events to come are California Gold Crown Events presented by Shimano. The Hidden Valley Ranch location has hosted many races over the years but this was its last show as land developers have future plans for the area.

With this in mind, race promoter Dorothy Wong wanted to make the Spooky Cross event historic and put together the best night race this venue has seen. The course held a mixture of everything. From the start riders began through long fast turns, 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 was fast until the tricky off-camber right turn that threw riders into the hay, literally. Then it was onto the flyover and back into the main venue for a few more twisty turns, stairs, and more. It was fast and fun.

Elite Women:
It was French national champion Caroline Mani who took the holeshot to lead the race in style, with her oversized optics that she claimed were perfect for the Spooky Cross event. Sue Butler (River City Bicycles/Ridley) was hard charging along with the rest of the field. But, Mani soloed away from the start to take the win. Butler was close to Mani by the end and maintained her own gap to ride in for second. CalGiant/Specialized rider Teal Stetson-Lee put out a serious effort looking to get Butler in a sprint but she was just seconds off to take third. Devon Haskel (Rambuski Law) finished fourth and Chloe Forsman (Race Club 11) held on for fifth.

Elite Men:
The holeshot looked like Ryan Trebon (LTS/Felt) was going to take it but Brian Lopes (Oakley/Ibis) shot his way up and snuck on the inside of Trebon through the first corner. It was an impressive start with Lopes third row call-up and he remained on the front leading out the field through the first half of lap one. Then Trebon took over and a group of three instantly broke away up front. It was Ben Berden (Ops Ale-Stoemper) and Allen Krughoff (Boulder Cycle Sport). By lap two Todd Wells (Specialized) had worked his way to the front group and they all seemed to be exchanging the work up front.

Krughoff dropped his chain and another mistake cost him his place in the front group as he slipped back. Chris Jones (Rapha Focus) never made it on the front group but he caught Krughoff and the two battled until there were three laps to go. Jones fell over on a tricky little climb that popped back into the wet grassy field and it was there that Krughoff made his move to open enough of a gap to hold of Jones and finish fourth, for his best race of the season, and Jones fifth.

Up front the battle continued but Wells fell off the group to finish third and the race up front came down to a sprint between Berden and Trebon. It was an exciting finish as Trebon grabbed another win.

Sunday, will be a repeat of more of the same action with some minor changes to the course, the warm California sun, and no wet evening dew all which will definitely make things faster for day two.

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross
SCPS #3: Krosstoberfest

The Southern California Prestige Series presented by Spy Optic came to Vail Lake Resort in Temecula, CA for Round 3: Krosstoberfest presented by Kenda bringing a new race to the Series. The fun filled 3 day weekend, the Temecula Cyclo-fest included 3-days of cycle-centric rides, clinics, movies all while making a difference for and raising awareness of the plight of women and children in Afghanistan.

The sunny warm SoCal weather made for a perfect weekend of cycling at Vail Lake in Temecula and a final day of cyclocross on Sunday. The course started with some open fast power sections through the first half of the lap then mixed in a tough sand section and a mixture of tight turns through the end of each lap. It seemed to be the perfect mixture as riders are becoming more comfortable on their bikes and in the cross season swing.

Elite Women:
Nancy Klinger (The Team SoCal Cross) and Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) took off on from the start quickly gapping the rest of the field. After two laps of battling back and forth, Nancy opened the gap to take the win. U23 Series leader, 17 year old Hannah Rae Finchcamp (The Team SoCal Cross) came in for third after trying to bridge up to the leaders the entire race but also did a nice job in holding off the rest of the field including her team mate, Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCal Cross) in 4th and Susan Thompson (PAA ReMaxx) was fifth.

Elite Men:
Jason Siegle took the hole shot but overcooked the corner where Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road) snuck by to lead out lap one. From the start the field broke and formed a group of four riders chasing Gritters. John Bailey and John Behrens of Bailey Bikes worked together as did Gary Douville and Jason Siegle of SDG/Felt p.b. IRT. They were sharing the work as riders went through the first few laps.

Then at three to go Douville went out front making the group work hard and Teammate Siegle counter attacked and rode the run up through the sand which opened a gap on on Gritters and the rest of the group split apart. He rode up the next two times also, to solo in for the win with Gritters about 20 seconds down. In third and Fourth was a hard charging duo of Bailey and Douville, with Douville opening up the sprint and holding it for Third. And John Berhns rolled in just behind to round out the top five.

This up coming week the SoCal Cross presents the finale race of the Cross After Dark Series heading to Irvine’s Hidden Valley on Saturday October 15 the series lead could be determined by who shows up. Early series races were dominated by riders who are either based in Europe or will be traveling to the first World Cup in the Czech Republic so look for a possible change of leadership on race day.

On the Men’s side look for Ben Berden of Belgium (Stoemper Bikes) to likely take the CxAD winner’s jersey. Known as Mr. Consistent, Berden has steadily improved and settled into the American style of cross during his first full season racing in the U.S.

The Women’s side has Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) solidly on top of the standings with her domination at CrossVegas and Star Crossed with Gateway Cross Cup winner Teal Stetson-Lee (Cal Giant/Specialized) lying second. Nash’s trip to her native Czech Republic opens the door for Stetson-Lee or teammate Meredith Miller (Cal Giant/Specialized) to take the series overall title if one of the pair wins in Irvine.