SCPS #5

“Convert CX”

It was perfect cross weather as the rains cleared, the course held mud and the day of racing was a sunny 60+ degrees in Ventura, CA for the second annual Convert CX, hosted by RideVentura.com. The morning started out with light showers and a group of runners as they took to the cross course for a 5k in the first of four Eco Festivals that have been united with the Southern California Prestige Series (SCPS).

It was race number five of the SCPS and racers were making the long travel north to Ventura because of the close point’s race within their race respective category, fun, and love of cross, which has been more evident then ever this season. For example, with a two-hour drive north of Los Angeles the men’s 4 group, which has reached close to 80 riders at a single race this season, still reached great numbers as almost 40 riders showed to start. However, besides just great numbers of riders again this week, riders where finally faced with deep mud, technical turns, descents, and climbs.

The racing was exciting in all categories but the Master’s elite men 35+ category was definitely first-class. This group is always competitive, fast and the points have been close every week as riders battled it out again in Ventura. Series leader Mike McMahon of team Velocity had the pressure on him with the SCPS promoter Jeff Herring (Team CICLE) following closely in second and many other strong riders ready to take the lead. It was Hearing, McMahon, and, new to cross, Ben Jones (Celo Pacific) leading the field until an unfortunate tire failure put Jones out of the race. After speaking with Jones after the race he remarked excitedly, “oh well, there is next week.” As, he is super excited about cross and the success he has had this season but he will get his rematch next week at SCPS #7… In the end it was McMahon with the win, Keith Neu (non-stop ciclismo) in second, and Herring rounding out the top three. Maybe, with more volunteers at races and less work for Mr. Herring, as he sets up and takes down the courses in the early hours of the morning before everyone else is out of bed, we could see his rested body atop the podium soon.

In the women’s elite this week it again it was the young Coryn Rivera of the Redline Factory team with the victory. The start did not have Rivera out front right away as Kendal Ryan and Carolyn Popovic (Team CICLE) led the field into the first lap. The start was a long flat road with hard left turn into the dirt heading back towards the start, to the first of many technical factors on the course. The riders came into the first tech section hoping the Michelin log and climbing straight into the Kool N’ Fit chicane, which is where riders were getting flats and rolling their tubulars off the rim through this bumpy mess. Once, the group was through this section they started to line up again to power through the course as it went into the thick grassed with heavy mud sections. By the end of lap one it was Rivera making her move with Popovic as the two lead Dot Wong (CICLE) and others through the remainder of the race. It was Rivera again to win the elite women’s with Popovic in second followed by Joy Duerksen as she made her move to pass Wong, who finished in fourth. And, rounding out the top five was Meghan Blades of Giant Bicycles who came into the field this week with an impressive finish.

The elite men’s was more of the same, fast start into the hairpin left turn, etc… Except this week the normal elite field was mixed as we are seeing new riders introduced to the field and others out of town in search of those UCI points with National Championships getting closer. The field took off with a new rider to the elite field this season and Ventura County local Gary Douville (Team Platinum) taking the lead through almost the first two laps as he held off last years winner Michael Easter (Action Sports), Sid Taberlay (RockN’Road) and the rest of the field as they closely powered through the course. Once, Douville was off the front Easter took charge with Taberlay, Fritz Bottger (Vitamix/Sixtufit) and Mark Noble (Bailey Bikes) attacking the group. Half way through the race this lead group was finally starting to separate as Douville and teammate Bobby Langin, Jr. slipped off the back of the lead group to battle it out with the chasers. Douville still held his ground to finish in the top five. In the front it was a battle of power as Easter and others were working hard to drop someone from the group. Unfortunately, it happened sooner than latter as Bottger had a bad crash through the technical chicane putting him down but not out as he still held on for fourth. It was down to the top three and with two laps to go the same tech section that took Bottger took Easter as he rolled his tire sending him to the pits but with a big enough gap on the field that he could still finish third. It was now down to Noble and Taberlay as they headed into the last lap. Noble took the lead and was looking powerful but in the last two climbs Taberlay attacked to open at least a 15 second gap on Nobel for the win.

It was another week of fun and exciting racing but the upcoming weekend will be even better as the SCPS host its second UCI, C2 race, so riders from around the country will be lined up in Los Angeles, CA next weekend for Dam Cross.