September 26/08 2:47 am - `Cross: Hillbilly Hustle, Verge Season Opener

Posted by Editoress on 09/26/08
 

HILLBILLY HUSTLE Cyclocross

Saturday October 4, 2008
Presented by HBCC
Sponsors: Outdoor Gear Canada, Epic Ride Orangeville, Digica, Sound Solutions

HBCC is once again at the Highlands Nordic cross country ski facility transforming the ski trail and stadium area into cyclocross mayhem. Prizes from Outdoor Gear Canada, cash premes and purse.
The course: Some fast ski trail and lots of turns, straightaways and change of speed sections up on on what is called the stadium. This grassy pitch overlooks the chalet and the zig zag down the grassy hill is back. A double barrier and a forced run up are in plus the short 150 metre woods multi-line section. Serious course marking at this venue, we have the use of the tools and resources at Highlands and a crew itching to build a first-rate course. Full sound system, bike wash and don't miss the 1:00pm race for what is sure to be a great Ontario battle. Defending Hillbilly champ Andrew Watson put on a show last year winning the first lap preme and then blowing up, dropping deep into the field and then charging the last 20 minutes back to win. He really likes the winner's jacket so Andrew is motivated for this race. National Cyclocross champion Mike Garrigan is on the line so look out. Don't miss it.

Location
www.highlandsnordic.on.ca

10am (40 min) M3, Beginner M, U17 M/F

11:30am (50 min) M2, Junior M, Jr,Master,Sr Women

1:00pm (60 min) Senior M and M1

Entry fee: $25.00

One day licences are available for $5.00

Contact:
www.hbcc.ca

Verge New England Series Opener

Over 250 of the region's cyclo-cross athletes will travel to northern New England and the state of Vermont this weekend for the opening 2 rounds of the 2008 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series. This will be the first time that the series has crossed into the state of Vermont, and race directors Alan Atwood and Eric Bowker have put together 2 challenging yet fun courses for the riders making their way north.

The Green Mountain Cyclo-cross Weekend, born on the campus of the University of Vermont in 1999, has grown in stature over the years and after a promising race weekend in 2006 this year's contest will be its biggest ever as the NECCS comes to town.

With just 2 weeks of racing under most New Englanders belts, the top riders are ready to showcase their talents in front of a national stage. And with important early season UCI points up for grabs for the elite riders, they will look to take those points and grab some early season momentum before some of the big races in the coming weeks.

The elite men's field is led by 2007 series champion Jesse Anthony (Jamis), who will be looking to continue on his success from last year. But he'd better not overlook the small but potent field that will be chasing after him, including local favorite and winner of last week's Nitany Lion Cup Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale/Leer/Cyclocrossworld.com), 2007 series runner-up Chris Jones (Louis Garneau), Canadian stallward Osmond Baker (Stevens Cross), New England favorite Matt White (BikeReg.com/Joe's Garage), California native Andy Jacques-Maynes (Specialized/KMC presented by Cal Giant), and veteran Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart/Van Dessel).

On the women's side, the field is wide open with the retirement of multi-time series champion Lynn Bessette. But with a very good sized field, it will be clear after this weekend who will be looking to fill her large shoes. Several candidates looking to become the top dog include 2007 series runner-up Rebecca Wellons (Ridley), 2006 GMCW winner Amy Wallace (Richard Sachs), Anna Milkowski (Velo Bela-Kona), and Maureen Bruno-Roy (MM Racing). A couple of ladies from the western part of the country will also be in attendance, looking to score a win on the east coast, Josie Jacques-Maynes (Specialized/KMC presented by Cal Giant), and Vermont native and 2-time defending U23 national champion Amy Dombroski (Velo Bela/Kona).

The elite masters race looks to be the most competitive and is the largest field of this year's race, with almost 60 riders pre-registered for the event. Last year's series winner Jonny Bold (Corner Cycles) will once again be leading the charge but will have his hands full from many strong contenders, including teammate and 45+ winner from a year ago Kevin Hines, 2-time elite national champion Mark McCormack (Fuji), and mid-Atlantic stalward Roger Aspholm (Westwood Velo).

This weekend's under 19 junior field will be a battle between 2 of New England's largest cycling families, the Keough's and the Goguen's. The dynamic duo of defending national champion Luke Keough (CLNoonan/KAM/Coast-to-Coast) and his brother and teammate Jesse will have a tough time defending Luke's 2007 championship against mid-Atlantic heavyweight Matthew Spinks (Team Metra/Wendy's), Ontario native Karl Hoppner, and of course the Minuteman Road Club's duo of the Goguen's, Manny and Tom, who won last year's 10-14 division and is graduating up to the big boys this year.

In addition to the great racing this weekend, series sponsor Cycle-Smart will be hosting a free course evaluation with Cycle-Smart coach Alec Donahue on Sunday morning at 8am before the beginner races. Riders will be able to check out the terrain for Sunday's race and be able to ask questions on the course and racing in general with Donahue. It will be a great opportunity for riders to make the most of their current fitness, and turn faster lap times. The clinic is free and riders may sign-up for the clinic at registration on either Saturday or Sunday morning. Further questions may be directed to Cycle-Smart at alec@cycle-smart.com