The U.S. Cup presented by Specialized concluded round # 3 of the KENDA CUP WEST series down in Sage Brush this Sunday. Having not been to the East San Diego county venue for several years due to closure from fires, the five hundred eighty six cross country racers were greeted with arguably the best riding trails California has to offer. Both Pro and Amateur’s alike came away from this year’s Sage Brush with ear to ear grins as the flowing off road vehicle trails gave way to great cross country racing!
Pro Women- The Pro Women’s field saw nine riders, stacked with five of the top fifteen riders from last weeks PRO XCT opener, including Kenda Cup series second place rider Krista Park, Ellsworth’s Pua Sawicki and Kenda/Tomac/Hayes veteran Kathy Sherwin among others.
Amgen’s Natasha Hernday attacked first, but was countered by Sawicki who quickly outdistanced the field on the climb up to four corners. Newcomer Alison Mann showed good form in only her second Pro race ever and rode second to Sawicki for most of the race.
“The course was unbelievable today,” beamed Sawicki. “I can’t remember when I rode a cross country course that put a smile on my face like Sage Brush did today. I felt strong all day and just rode my own race…it worked out perfect,” explained Pua.
At the end, Sawicki was clearly in a league of her own this weekend, coming in first ahead of Alison Mann, who gave her sponsor IE bikes its best female Pro finish for 2009. Kenda/Tomac/Hayes rider Amanda Carey placed 3rd, when she out sprinted Amgen’s Natasha Hernday for 4th. Kathy Sherwin rounded out the women’s top 5 for the Kenda/Tomac/Hayes team.
Women’s KENDA CUP WEST Podium-Hernday, Mann, Sawicki, Carey, Sherwin.
Michael Darter photo
Pro Men-
The men’s Pro race turned out to be another slug fest as thirty four Pro’s lined up for the 28 mile loop that offered over four thousand vertical feet of climbing. Kenda Cup West series leader, Sho-Air/Specialized’s Sid Taberlay was looking to rebound after a disappointing sixth place finish at last weeks PRO XCT race in Fontana. Taberlay brought out his Sho-Air/Specialized team mates, Manny Prado who came into the event fourth in points and Sammy Jurekovic who came in ranked fifth in points.
Kenda/Tomac/Hayes sent out Andy Schultz who came in ranked second place in the Kenda Cup West Series.
Schultz was pretty vocal coming into Sage Brush that he was not happy with his twelfth place finish at last weeks PRO XCT opener and said he would be looking for redemption. At the start riders hit the pavement for a 4.2 mile ride to the top of four corners before hitting the day’s first dirt single track section. Trek’s Dana Weber hit the front briefly before Sho-Air/Specialized put the teams Above: Start Line of Men’s Pro XC race domestique, Sammy Jurekovic on the front to control the pace. Taberlay, Schultz, Prado, U23 riders Tad Elliot and Robby Squire were all sitting in safely. Two miles in, the road pitched towards the heaven’s as riders began the ascent to four corners. At the front Jurekovic twisted the screws for team leader Taberlay and quickly splintered the thirty four rider field. As riders were shot out the back by Jurekovic’s blistering tempo, Schultz, Taberlay, Prado, Chuck Jenkins, Sean Donovan, Squire all settled in.
“The goal was to thin the group out and try and isolate Schultz” commented Jurekovic. “That’s why when we hit the bottom of the climb I started to increase the tempo.”
Then just near the top of the climb, Schultz decided he would draw first blood and threw down the gauntlet. The only one in the pack with the legs to respond was series point’s leader Sid Taberlay. Taberlay looked back to see if anyone else responded, but it was clear that Schultz wanted to isolate the Sho-Air/Specialized rider and not have to deal with team tactics like he faced at the opening round at Bonelli Park.
“I wasn’t going to wait around for anyone today,” explained Andy Schultz. “I was feeling good and figured I could isolate Sid after Sam’s huge effort on the first climb….last thing I wanted was to deal with a three on one situation,” repeated Schultz Schultz led the duo into the first dirt section of the day and the two quickly put distance on the rest of the field. They would see saw throughout the courses twisting, flowing roads all day long, with no more than a few feet separating them all day.
Behind the duo, Jurekovic ignited after his monster effort up the day’s first climb, slipping back to fifth position. Prado held third, while U-23 sensation Robby Squire hounded the Sho-Air/Specialized rider in fourth.
Out front, Taberlay and Schultz waged their personal war forty five seconds ahead of third place rider Manny Prado, Robby Squire and a rejuvenated Sammy Jurekovic was in fifth.
Heading up to the infamous Los Pino’s Mountain climb it was all Schultz and Taberlay. Somehow Jurekovic managed to find his legs and bridged up to Prado and Squire, now putting the U-23 rider in a Sho-Air/Specialized sandwich Near the top of Mount Pino’s, Schultz tested Taberlay again but was not able to shake the scrappy Aussie who would not be dislodged. Thirty five seconds back came Jurekovic who had now managed to shell Prado and Squire. Sammy rode alone in no man’s land in third; with Squire and Prado trading positions some eight seconds back.
The Road climb to four corners was fast and furious. Michael Darter photo
Schultz crested the top of the climb in first, with Taberlay solidly in second. The next twelve minutes was pure down hill bliss as the two tore down the back side of the mountain on a mix of fire road, double track and twisty, flowing single track trails, as they made their way back to the main road for one more climb to four corners. As the two entered the tight left hand turn that dropped riders out onto the pavement for the climb back to the feed zone and back side of four corners, you could tell Taberlay was waiting to strike.
“I was just patient today Mate and weathered the storm of attacks Schultzy was throwing at me,” commented Taberlay. “I knew the bitchimen (asphalt) climb back to four corners was perfect for my attack. I wanted the lead into the last downhill section heading back to the finish,” continued Taberlay And strike he did! Taberlay came out from behind Schultz wheel and laid down a blistering attack! The Kenda/Hayes/Tomac rider did everything in his power to respond, but couldn’t match the little Aussie’s acceleration up the paved climb.
Taberlay was now in full Time Trial mode as he desperately made his way back to the top of four corners, before dropping into the old down hill course that riders navigated back towards the finish.
Once off the pavement, Taberlay tapped danced his way through lapped traffic on his way back to the finish. The Sho-Air/Specialized carved the downhill course aboard his Specialized making quick work of it and put more real estate between him and Schultz.
Michael Darter photo
Now back onto the pavement heading home, Taberlay assumed the TT position as he big ringed it back towards the finish line, with Schultz no where in sight.
A quick excursion back onto the dirt, Taberlay was home free as he headed towards the finish line. After negotiating some rocky creek beds and some sandy sections, the Sho-Air/Specialized rider came across the line, notching his second Kenda Cup West victory.
Coming in just over a minute back was Kenda/Tomac/Hayes rider Andy Schultz, who earned a hard fought second place on the day.
Michael Darter photo
Sam Jurekovic, the “cracker” on the day, recovered to take third just forty seconds behind Schultz. Rounding out fourth was U-23 and surprise rider of the day Robby Squire who was followed in fifth by Sho-Air rider Manuel Prado.
Taberlay extends his Kenda Cup West series points lead over Schultz to twenty eight, while Jurekovic moves to third overtaking his teammate Manny Prado and the absent Geoff Kabush. Prado now takes over fourth position in the Kenda Cup West standings. Above: SHO-AIR/Specialized rider Sid Taberlay in attack mode.
Next round is set for Sea Otter, which is the second round of the PRO XCT tour and round four of the KENDA CUP WEST Series.
KENDA Cup West # 3 Men’s Pro Podium-Prado, A. Schultz, Taberlay, Jurekovic, Squires. Michael Darter photo
Huge Crowds once again at the US Cup series. Michael Darter photo
Kenda Cup West Award number plates provided by Static. Michael Darter photo