September 25, 2009 (Las Vegas, NV) – Sandra Walter, my Local Ride team mate, and I flew into Vegas on Tuesday night (Sept. 22) from Zurich, Switzerland after racing at the final two UCI MTB World Cups. Two days of travel and the 9-hour time zone change had taken their toll, and we were both exhausted and zombie-like and happy to finally make it to our hotel at 11pm.
Race day morning consisted of unpacking bikes, doing laundry, and a spin to the nearest grocery store to stock up on food supplies. After a delicious egg burrito lunch and a quick nap, we were soon in a cab over to the race site, where I was able to get a few laps in on the course, and re-familiarize myself with my cross bike. I was happy to find that after a little practice on the barriers and stair run-up, my Xprezo Ultra Hop felt like home again,.
The course in Vegas is open, flat and grassy, with a set of barriers leading into a run-up near the Sierra Nevada beer garden, and a set of stairs on the other side of the course. It's what I would call a power and fitness course, with very limited technical challenge. As soon as the sun began to set, and the park lit up, the festivities began. Food vendors were on hand serving tacos and nachos, three umbrella boys in sparkling golden short-shorts with blue sashes could be seen escorting the Luna Chix around, as the crowds started to trickle in. With the commencement of the Wheelers and Dealers race, the night's merriment began.
Elite Women's Race
The women's race was packed full of big names here to try their luck under the bright lights of Vegas. Last year's winner and 2008 CX World Championship bronze medalist, Katie Compton (Planet Bike) was here to defend, after sitting out Seattle's Starcrossed last weekend. Other big names on the start line were Luna Chix Katarina Nash and Georgia Gould, Starcrossed winner Helen Wyman (Kona), Kelli Emmett (Giant Bicycles) back to racing after getting a cast removed from a broken left hand, Mary McConneloug (Team Kenda/Seven/NoTubes), Sue Butler (Monavie-Cannondale.com), as well as fellow Canadian the legendary Alison Sydor (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain). In total there were almost 40 starters lined up to race on the grassy open course under the lights of Vegas.
I was number 33, a back of the pack starter, for my first time racing a NACT in the USA. I lined up beside McConnelough, who was also fresh off the final two UCI MTB World Cups in Europe. Her lack of participation in cross last year had left her without UCI points and a back row start position. When I asked her how she was feeling after racing on the weekend, travel, and a 9 hour time zone change, she optimistically replied “I’ve just come to embrace the strange sensations. I feel kind of out of it, like I’m drunk, but I’m not.” She went on to have a wicked race, coming from the back of the field to place 5th, putting her positive outlook to work.
After Elvis sang the national anthem, the gun went off and a blistering pace was set by Gould, which was later followed by an early attack by Wyman. I started behind Sydor, who I know to be a good starter, and did my best to hold her wheel as she weaved through the mass of racers. The pace was fast for the first two laps, and after following an attack at the front of the 3rd group, which Sydor was leading, I found myself overextended, and struggling to recover. I paid for the early effort, and got popped off the back of the group, as I fought to recuperate from the effort. At 40 minutes, cross races are short, but after 20 minutes in, with a redline effort in the dry desert air and my throat burning, I found myself thinking, “Wow, 20 more minutes is going to hurt.” But cross is a pain game, so I dug in to regain some legs, and began to pick girls off to eventually finishing 17th.
At the front of the race, Compton, who had been riding with Nash early in the race, gained a gap over her after Nash bobbled in the barrier section. The order of these two top riders stayed the same for the duration of the race, while there was a hard fought battle for the third spot on the podium between Gould and Emmet. Gould ended up getting the best of Emmet in the end, gaining a small gap on the last lap which she held to the finish. The top Canadian in the race was Sydor, who finished 11th.
Elite Men's Race
After a brief post race recovery, which consisted mostly of sitting on the grass coughing, as well as a snack from the food vendors, I was able to take in the men's race. This was a packed field, with 114 starters and an international field. Early in the race the duo of James Driscoll (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com and Christopher Jones (Champion System) separated themselves from a large chase group containing some race favourites including Americans Ryan Trebon (Kona) and Jonathan Page (Planet Bike).
While a number of attacks went out from the chase, no one wanted to be the one working to pull the group to the leaders, and the duo were never caught. It was a disgruntled Page who finally won the fought for the third spot on the podium. The Canadian contingent in the men's race included Geoff Kabush (Rocky Mountain Maxxis), who raced in the second chase group and finished 11th. Just behind him, in the fourth chase, was Craig Ritchey (Blue Competition Cycles presented by Neverblue) of Victoria, BC who had a good race and finished 20th. Thomas Skinner (Oak Bay Bikes), who also made the trip over from Victoria, finished 58th.
Results
Elite Women
1. Katherine Compton (USA) Planet Bike 40:45
2. Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Chix 0:59
3. Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Chix 1:10
4. Kelli Emmett (USA) Giant Bicycles 1:14
5. Mary McConneloug (USA) Team KENDA/Seven/NoTubes 2:17
6. Susan Butler (USA) Monavie-Cannondale.com 2:20
7. Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona 2:21
8. Alison Powers (USA) Team Fuji 2:35
9. Amy Dombroski (USA) RGM Watches - Richard Sachs - Radix 3:26
10. Laura Van Gilder (USA) C3 Athletes Serving Athletes 3:28
11. Alison Sydor (Can) Rocky Mountain - Maxxis
17. Jean Ann McKirdy (Can) LOCAL RIDE RACING 4:28
Elite Men
1. James Driscoll (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com 1:00:59
2. Christopher Jones (USA) Champion System 0:04
3. Jonathan Page (USA) Planet Bike 0:16
4. Jeremy Powers (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com 0:17
5. Erwin Vervecken (Bel) Revor Cycling Team
6. Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona 0:20
7. Todd Wells (USA) Specialized Factory Racing 0:25
8. Christian Heule (Swi) Rendementhypo Cycling Team 0:35
9. Barry Wicks (USA) Kona 1:05
10. Ben Berden (Bel) Revor Cycling Team 1:08
11. Geoff Kabush (Can) Maxxis-Rocky Mountain 1:13
20. Craig Richey (Can) Blue Competition Cycles p/b Neverblue 3:09
58. Thomas Skinner (Can) Oak Bay Bikes
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Photo: Sandra Walter
Women's start
Photo: Sandra Walter
Photo: Sandra Walter
Jean Ann McKirdy (Can) Local Ride Racing
Photo: Sandra Walter
Photo: Sandra Walter
Thomas Skinner (Can) Oak Bay Bikes
Photo: Sandra Walter
Photo: Sandra Walter
Jean Ann McKirdy (Can) Local Ride Racing
Photo: Sandra Walter
Photo: Sandra Walter
Course view...
Photo: Sandra Walter
Photo: Sandra Walter
Craig Richey (Can) Blue Competition Cycles p/b Neverblue
Photo: Sandra Walter
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