This year's cyclocross season has been more exciting then ever for mountain bikers. First NORBA Champ Geoff Kabush continued his '04 tradition by beating seven-time champ Peter Wedge for the Canadian National Cyclocross title. Then Ryan Trebon, Geoff Kabush, Adam Craig and Todd Wells swept the top four spots in the six race Crank Bros. U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross. Even though she missed the first half, Mary McConneloug was top MTB women with a fourth in the series. McConneloug rebounded to win the Verge New England Champs with impressive style. Adam Craig and Todd Wells placed second and third behind '97 'Cross Champ Mark McCormack in the same series. Wait, there's more. When Michael Broderick wasn't pitting for Mary McConneloug, he was placing in the elite men's field. Charlie Storm won the final Mid-Atlantic 'cross in Reston, Virginia. Ex Marathon World Champ Thomas Frischknecht won a big UCI Cyclocross in San Mateo. Travis Brown won the Colorado Boulder Cyclocross Series on a single speed. Marathon National Champ Gretchen Reeves placed third in Colorado's women division. Finally, our favorite old guy, Steve Tilford himself, took the Nebraska 'Cross Series Finale at Pioneers Park in Lincoln.
FAST FORWARD TO OREGON
Last year's mud-a-thon at Portland International Raceway was so cyclocross, where else was there to go but back to Portland again. To celebrate the rain this year the promoter decided to toughen it up even more with a handful of serious run-ups.
IT TOOK THE CHAMP TO DO IT
Well, we got beat. Even though the men's division was loaded with mountain bike talent, it was no match for full time cyclocrosser and two-time defending National 'Cross Champion Jonathan Page. Like he's done the previous years, Page immediately took command and rode away. It was local boy Ryan Trebon who would eventually stir things up. Ryan broke from the chase group and rode up to Jonathan. Was this going to be the big MTB upset? No. Page re-attacked and took the win.
With his third place finish, Todd Wells can now add bronze to a full plate of medals. Todd also has two silvers and won the title in 2001. Eighth place rider Adam Craig is a former junior, collegiate and U23 National 'Cross Champ.
WHERE'S DUNLAP WHEN YOU NEED HER?
We were rooting for Mary McConneloug. Right from the start she waged a break that included Ann Knapp, second place Crank Bros. rider Gina Hall and little known Katie Compton. Katie went on to ride away on her own while Gina and Ann pulled a gap on Mary. Fourth place is impressive nonetheless. We hope McConneloug and boyfriend Michael Broderick can enjoy a few weeks off. It's been a long, long year for those two. Alison Dunlap is a six-time National CX champion. Ann Knapp is 2002 National CX and current Crank Bros. Series Champ. Katie Compton was a contender in the men's Cat. 3 class in Colorado cyclocross events.
OTHER STANDOUT RESULTS
*Marathon star Charlie Storm (Fuji-BTD) placed third in Masters 35-39.
*Little brother Troy Wells (Kona-CCA-Easton) placed third in the U23 national event.
*Steve Tilford (BikeSource) won the Masters 45-49 title.
*Amgen rider Mark Noble won the Maters 40-44 Championship and teammate James Coats took third. Mark is a placing semipro and Coats an ex Cal State MTB Champ.
*Kelly Bike's Dorothy Wong captured fourth in the 40-44 women's class. Dorothy is a national marathon contender and top placing SoCal MTB expert.
NATIONAL CYCLOCROSS RESULTS
1. Jonathan Page...Cervelo-Hot Tubes...55.15.5
2. Ryan Trebon...Kona-Clarks-LesGets...at 0.18.1
3. Todd Wells...GT Hyundai...1.44.5
4. Barry Wicks...Kona...1.52.6
5. Marc Gullickson...Redline...2.20.1
6. Mark McCormack...Clif Bar-Colavita...2.50.7
7. Jackson Stewart...Team Clif Bar...2.50.9
8. Adam Craig...Maxxis Giant...4:07.2
9. Michael Broderick...Seven...4.18.0
10. Bart Gillespie...biogen-idec...4.26.9
15. Charlie Storm...Fuji-BTD)...6.09.6
22. Steve Tilford...Shimano Moots...6:55.9
34. Brent Prenzlow...Celo Pacific/Salsa)...-2 laps
72. Carl Decker...Giant-Pearl Izumi)...at -4 laps
Women
1. Katie Compton...Cody Eacing...37.48.0
2. Gina Hall...Missing Link...0.16.3
3. Ann Knapp...Kona...0.17.4
4. Mary McConneloug...Seven Cycles-Kenda...0.44.8
5. Sarah Kerlin...Velo Bella...2:18.1
6. Christine Vardaros...Velo Bella...2.29.9
7. Melissa Thomas...Bike Source-Tokyo...2.35.5
8. Rhonda Mazza...Vanilla-Team S&M...3.05.6
9. Barbara Howe...Velo Bella...3.15.6
10. Josie Beggs...Starbucks...3.32.2
11. Gretchen Reeves...Rocky Mountain...4.29.5
13. Rebecca Much...Alan Factory Team...4.35.6
16. Heather Szabo...Tokyo Joe's...5.18.3
43. Dorothy Wong...Kelly Bike Company...-1 lap
48 Christina Begy...Spot...at -1 lap
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