November 6/07 9:51 am - Cross on the Rock #3, Beban, Island Championships

Posted by Editoress on 11/6/07
 

Cross on the Rock 2007 #3, Beban, Island Championships Beban Park, Nanaimo BC
Report by Normon Thibault and Wendy Simms

Organized and in Partnership with OakBay Bikes-Victoria Wheelers
Brought to you by Multi-Sport Promotions

November 4, 2007
Conditions: 11c. Sunny. Breeze

After enjoying an extra hour of sleep we were greeted with a sunny-perfect-day. It was “OK” but with all the good weather this year I don't know if we are building up our Island Cross racers to be tough.....where is the rain, mud, hail, snow? Well it does make for a bit of an easier clean up.

Beban Park has been the home of cross racing in Nanaimo since our first race there in preparation for the 2003 World Champs. In 2004 we hosted the first official cross race on Vancouver Island. In 2005 we hosted the first BC Cup on Vancouver Island. In 2006 the National Championships and this year the “Island Championships” and race #3 in the Cross on the Rock Series. 5 years in a row for this venue.

The course was slightly different than last year as part of our course was being used by another group so we made a few changes, adjusted a few sections......dialed it in....and the result according to most that I talked to was that the course “ROCKED”......a lot of people saying it was their favorite course so far this year.

A HUGE turn out of beginners as we offered a free race to any beginner or newcomer that had a current cycling BC or club license. It was great to see SO many people come out and try out cross.

Race #1: Beginner Men's and Women's (3 Laps)
Offering a free race to all club racers on the island gave us the biggest turn out of beginners of the series so far. A good mixture of moutainbikes, cross bikes and road bikes with Scwalbe 30c tires tucked into the frames. Lots of first timers, triathletes, roadies and runners in the mix. Sue Handel and Paul Thompson both led through the first lap until the finish. Behind them the places were changing all over the course and through the 3 lap race as different riders showed their strengths on different parts of the diverse course. Reminding us that this sport is for all ages were Curren Jongsma at youngest male 10 years old. Alex and Kyla Coats, triathletes from the national training center and the youngest females at 19. John Hannon as the oldest male in the beginner category, 61. And our very own Frontrunners uber athlete Kathie Vandoorn at 51 for the oldest female.

Taking the Lighthouse Brewery Prime were Sue Croft and Paul Thompson

Race #2: Intermediate Men
With the winner of the last race, Oak Bay Bikes co-owner Sean Lunny, moving up to Expert this event was wide open. With big head boss hog gone, shop grommets Matt Dawes (Oak Bay Bikes) and Ben Glassen (Oak Bay Bikes) had no rabbit to gun for so they just beat on each other. Known for their technical skills (and not their endurance), the boys were wooing the crowds with “sic air” off the BMX jumps and “sweet manuals through the trannies”. These two youngsters will soon be U Tube posting their BMX track rip on lap #1. It was Glassen that pulled down the (root)beer prime lap but was eventually passed by Robin Dutton (Arrowsmith Bikes), series points leader; Trevor Jones (Experience Cycling Club) and Dawes. Unfortunately Dawes experienced a flat tire so Dutton sacrificed his wheel to the OBB rider and stepped off the course. An impressive ride by Dawes saw him win the race by a mere 10seconds over a charging Jones, who managed to outsprint the fading showboat, Glassen.

Taking the Lighthouse Brewery Prime was Ben Glassen (Root Beer as he is only 18)
The Converse Chuck Taylor most aggressive rider went to: Matt Dawes

Race #3: Master Men
During the set up the day before Dave Nowak said after looking over the course, “this is a perfect course for (newcomer) Steve Bachop”. He was right. Andrew Brown (CVCC) ripping his usual fast start to take the Lighthouse beer prime. Steve Bachop (Everti) went through the first lap just behind Brown and started to reel him in. They stayed together for a lap and a bit before Bachop's fast running cracked Brown a little bit. The crack opened up to 46 seconds by the end of the 6 laps. Behind the leaders Sean Cruickshank (Aviawest), back from Xterra World Champs, was making his way through the crowds to place a consistent 3rd. Dave Nowack (CVCC/Frontrunners) worked his way back from a little further in the field fighting his way up to 4th by the finish and collecting the most aggressive title for this race.

Taking the Lighthouse Brewery Prime was Andrew Brown.
The Converse Chuck Taylor most aggressive rider went to: Dave Nowak

Race #3: Women
With $100 Cash for first, prizes to 5th place, primes and most aggressive prizes up for grabs it was pretty disappointing to only have 4 girls on the line (and see only 3 finish). BUT it was awesome that all 4 had decided to bump themselves up from the beginner category after only one race. Maybe all the other women that normally race the series were scared of the rookies kicking their butts? Even with the small field the racing was FIERCE. Amy Herlivinveaux (Experience) showed us that her fast start from the Duncan race was no fluke and took the prime lap yet again. However, half way through the race Bobbie Taylor took the lead and held it to the end, taking home $100 to put towards a new cross bike as she has been racing on a different borrowed bike each time!

Taking the Lighthouse Brewery Prime was Amy Herliniveaux.
The Converse Chuck Taylor most aggressive rider went to Bobbie Taylor.

Race #4: Expert Men
The expert win was up for grabs as the top two series racers were off to Costa Rica to do La Ruta. With three bike lengths on the expert group in mere seconds (can you say false start?), it looked like race organizer Norm Thibault (Frontrunners) was an easy pick for the prime but after a horrendous crash before the BMX track he came through DFL with some blood dripping as he passed. It was Drew MacKenzie (Straight Up Cycles) who set the blistering pace for the first lap. Mat Hewitt (Oak Bay Bikes) was the only one who could stay with him, although John Fokkema (Aviawest) was in close pursuit. MacKenzie unfortunately flatted and was ready to pull out until he was told he had to finish the race to take home the Lighthouse beer so he took his time but managed to complete the task. Meanwhile, at the front of the race, Hewitt was having some chain troubles of his own so Fokkema (yelling “hey, wait up”) eventually caught and the two rode together until the last lap when Hewitt pulled away for the win, taking over the series lead. The ooh and the ahhs from the crowds however were going to those who could bunny hop the barriers - many attempted but no one could match the cat like finesses of Jeff Beeston's (Trail Bikes) bunny hopping technique.

Taking the Lighthouse Brewery Prime was Drew MacKenzie.
The Converse Chuck Taylor most aggressive rider went to Jeff Beeston.

THANKS
Once again the course cleaned up SUPER fast because of a solid crew that helped out and pitched in. Special thanks to our set up crew: Rollin Thibault, Shaile Sandbrooks, Dave Nowak, Gregor, Ben Glassen (who invented the technical pre-bmx section), Matt Dawes, John Hannon, Corey Piket, Greggor, Dan Frey. Peter McCaffery for bringing snacks to the set up crew. Offical photography by Ed VanZinderenBakker. Registration Nazi: Wendy Simms (sick for the week so not racing). And a totally solid clean up crew....that you always lose track of who is doing what 'cause you are cleaning up/wasted and low blood sugar. It always makes for an easier day when the clean up goes fast and everyone donates a bit of time. Thanks to everyone that helped on that. Again.....awesome racing and a lot of fun! Hope to see lots of people out for our double cross weekend in Cumberland and Fletchers Farm.

Next race on Vancouver Island "CROSS WEEKEND" This is the last time on Vancouver Island AND in B.C. to race cross in 2007. A LONG wait it will be until cross season starts again in 2008.....SO you better get out and race this coming weekend at Cumberland and Fletcher's Farm. We need to see some support for these races and the series if you guys want to see the series continue......so get out there!

Cumberland: This is a totally different and new course from 2006. Exploring the back alleys and parks of Cumberland. You will feel like you are ripping it up as you tear down the back roads. This will be one FAST course!!! The guide is already out on the website. BEGINNERS: If you raced this weekend and signed up for a club you can race again at Cumberland for only $10. Don't forget about the social starting right after the event at the Riding Fool Hostel. Sponsored by Lighthouse Breweries. Get a room at the hostel and drive down in the AM to Fletchers.

Fletcher's Farm: Jungle Cross. We will be out at the farm setting the course and seeing what treats we can provide you with at out last race of the year. Double Points. Series Prizes. Our famous end of year draw prize table. Last chance to race cross in this Province this year.......AND a holiday weekend.....we hope to see a solid turn out for this event! Guide will be posted on the site in the next couple of days and we also hope to have a lower beginner rate for this event as well.

Photos can be found at:
www.island-multi-sports.com

Also we received links from:
Roland Rabien:
photos.rabien.com
Peter McCaffery
BebanParkCross2007

SERIES SPONSORS
Converse All Star
Lighthouse Brewery
OakBay Bikes in Nanaimo and Victoria
Norco
Crankbrothers
Frontrunners Nanaimo
eNVy Chainrings and Chainring Protectors

Special Thanks to:
Nanaimo Parks and Recreation
VIEX
Nanaimo and District Equestrian
Nanaimo BMX Assoc.