December 11/99 5:50 am - Dunlap Wins U.S. Women's 'Cross Title, Elita Signing

Posted by Editor on 12/11/99
 

Dunlap Wins U.S. 'Cross Title

We have just received a report from Chris Redden, down in San Francisco, that Alison Dunlap has won the U.S. women's cyclo-cross title. Chrissy Redden, the Canadian national champ is down there to race the SuperCup final tomorrow. She was hoping to race today's race, but was denied the opportunity, since it was the American nationals.

Chris says that the weather is most un-'cross like, with temperatures in the high 'teens and lots of sun. The course was also not a traditional cyclo-cross circuit - less than a mile in length, with lots of pavement. This meant that the fastest riders on the pavement were the ones who did well.

Dunlap led from the start, and wasn't seriously challenged. Behind the GT mountain bike pro it was SuperCup series leader Anne Grande, followed by Shari Kain. They would finish in that order, with Rachel Lloyd fourth and Carmen Richardson fifth. Matt Kelly took the Junior Men's title.

The men are starting now, and Chris expects carnage, given the 150 rider field...


Elita Confirms Team

Dave Cathcart of Elita gave us a call from North Carolina last night to let us know the 2000 lineup for Canada's top women's road squad. Returning for another year will be Kim Langton, Annie Gariepy, Melanie Dorion, Sophie St Jacques, Erin Carter and New Zealander Sarah Ulmer. The big new signing is American Karen Dunn, who is expected to add some needed sprinting depth to the team. Cathcart points out that his team now has 3 Olympic qualified riders from 3 countries (Gariepy, Ulmer and Dunn). They hope to see all three in Sydney. The team will start their season with the traditional Redlands kickoff.