SCPS 13: Convert Cross

Ventura, CA- Weather forecasters promised a 60% chance of rain all week for the always exciting Convert Cross. Mother nature, however, decided to stop the overnight showers and blow all the storms away from the Lake Casitas course. While it was just a cool and windy day it definitely didn’t hold back any of the excitement. Race director, Larry Leonard, and his crew from Successful Living and Trek Bikes of Ventura went to work revising the always-popular event to create a new, challenging, and fun course.

Elite Women:
Coryn Rivera (Peanut Butter & CO Twenty12), while always strong, is definitely finding her form as she prepares for the Portland USGP and then nationals. She took the hole-shot and half way through the first lap had already claimed her spot in front of the field. For the rest of the race the women chased as Rivera controlled the pace to claim her victory. The chase group was lead by the previous days winner Trina Baumsteiger (Team Rambuski Law) who definitely showed the best in the chase. Trina was in hot pursuit of Rivera with Kendal and Alexis Ryan (Team SoCal Cross), but as the race went on the Ryan sister drifted back. Trina continued strong to take second behind Rivera.

Halfway through Amanda Schaper (SDG Factory Team) continued to move forward and passed the Ryan sisters at separate points on her way to finish third. Fourth was Kendal and fifth Alexis for the top five podium positions.

Elite Men:
Mark Noble (Metal Mtn.) took the long road straight and lead through the first turn with a big line of riders clinging to his wheel. The course was wild and through the first half of lap one, two of the podium contenders had rolled their tires. First it was Gary Douville (Platinum Performance) who popped a small section of his rear tire back on and continued to chase. Second, it was Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/B&L) who two turns after Douville rolled his front tire through an off-cambered rutted pit. Prenzlow after peeling himself off the ground also slapped his tire back on but had to ride mildly to make it to the pits.

The race held a large lead group as Douville and Prenzlow were fighting their ways back to the front. On the second lap Douville had caught the leaders and instantly attacked after his huge effort to get back. Half way around the second lap Douville and Ben Bostrom (Sho-Air) broke off the front, hopping up the small two-stair climb. They went back and forth exchanging the lead until midway through the race Bostrom gapped off Douville. In a last chance effort Douville yelled for help as Jason Siegle (Bike Religion) moved up and pulled the chase group back to Bostrom.

When Bostrom was reached, the group continued together until three laps to go when John Behrens (Bailey Bikes) came around and attacked the group to separate things. The effort blew everyone apart. Behrens was off the front but unfortunately he crashed with two laps to go. Bostrom and Douville instantly seized the opportunity to be back on the front. Douville led then Bostrom. On the last lap Douville gapped Bostrom on the two-stair and put in his fastest lap time of the day to take the win. Bostrom rolled in just behind for second and Behrens third. James Walsh (Celo Pacific) was fighting his way up all day and put in the race of his life to grab fourth. And, Jason Siegle held on to round out the top five.

It was some of the most exciting racing of the season and a good lead up to next week’s district championships. The racing should be as intense and the course just as fun with the annual Turkey Trot event. The big question is who is going home with the champion’s belt?

For more information go to: www.socalcross.org