November 19/09 12:48 pm - NACT 'Cross Series Wraps Up This Weekend

Posted by Editor on 11/19/09
 

The NACT series wraps up its successful 2009 season in Southampton, New York this weekend, racers will have two final chances to dig into North America's largest purse. Nearly $14,000 is on the line for the men and women and there is still plenty of opportunity for jostling in the overall standings.

With Natasha Elliott (Garneau Club Chaussure Ogilvy) leading the way in the elite women’s series standings, the Canadian’s position atop the podium looks to be secure. Giant’s Kelli Emmett placed fifth in both in the Boulder and Longmont, Colorado races and is traveling to New York with teammates Carl Decker and Adam Craig, who could put on quite a show in the men's field. Meanwhile Lyne Bessette (October Factory Racing) will be out for redemption. After taking third in Gloucester, Bessette abandoned Sunday’s race and will look to make her mark on the series in this final weekend.

Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com has been the team of the NACT series with Tim Johnson comfortably in the leader's jersey ahead of teammates Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll. With fourth place Jonathon Page and sixth place Christian Heule racing in Europe, there are host of riders chomping at the bit for the final money spot on the podium. Bissell's Andy Jacques-Maynes is currently in fifth but only eleven points ahead of Jesse Anthony (Jamis). But while the green and black boys have all but secured their podium spots, there is one thing that might put a damper on the weekend (cue Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries"): Ryan Trebon (Kona). Though the current U.S. national champion is twentieth in the NACT overall standings, Trebon is back in form and flying after a couple of crashes side-lined him last month. While Cannondale will pack the series podium, look for Trebon to factor into the mix of Saturday and Sunday races. Other individuals who could cause some trouble are Giant's Craig, who just missed the podium in Boulder after a leaky tire slowed him down, and two NACT newcomers from Oregon, the Vanilla Workshop's Shannon Skerritt and Kevin Hulick who have been racing against Trebon and Kona teammate Barry Wicks at the Cross Crusade series.

Organizers have put together a spectator-friendly event with a raffle prizes that even professional cyclists in envy. Up for grabs is a Richard Sachs frame, a rarity since Sach's waiting list is currently at eight years. And if you feel like cowbells just aren’t enough, you can grab the mike at CX Karaoke. Rumor has it that nothing gets Tim Johnson fired up like a rendition of Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings". The venue will also have a host free tasting booths with Red Bull and Honest Tea handing out samples.