The North American Cyclocross Trophy (NACT) series visited the Boulder area during the weekend of October 30th and 31st, bringing in a top caliber national field of racers. Saturday's race was the Colorado Cross Classic at the Boulder Reservoir. There were huge fields battling it out on the 2.1 mile loop which traveled over grass, paved paths, roads and sand. We had a group of five racers at Colorado Cross competing in probably one of the most talented and deepest field of racers anywhere in the country.
Then on Sunday, racers came out for the Halloween Boulder Cup cross race at Flatirons Crossing Mall in Broomfield. It was another great day of cross racing which drew huge crowds of racers ranging from first-timers wearing costumes to the nation's best. The venue was held close to the Mall on a 1.8 mile loop with some steep run-ups and tight turns. Huge crowds and a festive atmosphere prevailed.
We had a strong contingent of Green Mountain Sports racing team members out there mixing it up over the weekend including Blaine Haskell, Craig Hofer, Peter Lopez, Chris Phenicie, Mike Schaub, Pieter Schouten, Ed Tokarski and John Wahl.
Boulder CX #3:
The third race of the Boulder Cyclocross series was held on Sunday, October 24th, on the grounds of the Louisville Rec. Center. Weather conditions were cool and dry, which made for fast and dusty racing conditions. There were two long run-up sections and some steep and rutted descents, giving racers a total body work-out on each lap. GMS racing team finishers included Craig Hofer, John Wahl, Ed Tokarski and Peter Lopez.
Blue Sky Cup at Xilinx:
Saturday, October 23rd, was the date for the Blue Sky Velo Colorado Cup cyclocross race at the Xilinx campus in Longmont. The course was a bit shorter than the earlier Cyclocross race held there, but it was well received by the 465 racers out for the day's race. It was a fast, dry and flowing course, which had two steep hills per lap. Besides the high caliber cross racing, the day's festivities included a visit from the Niwot High School marching band, Belgian Waffles and a rock band jamming on the back side of the course. Here's a video of the Open Men's race which also shows some of the other activities of the day:
Green Mountain Sports racing team member finishes included Craig Hofer in 4th in the 45+ race, Chris Phenicie in 10th in Open, Peter Lopez and Blaine Haskell in 22nd and 36th respectively in the 35+ race, and John Wahl in 32nd in the 45+ race.
Aspen Lodge CX:
On Saturday October 17th, the ACA Colorado Cup cyclocross series visited Estes Park for the inaugural running of the Aspen Lodge cross race at the Aspen Lodge Resort and Conference Center. It was a very technical 1.3 mile long course with numerous off camber turns and bumpy surfaces. Racing at an altitude of 9,000 feet also added to the day's challenge. Craig Hofer led the GMS racing team with a hard fought 2nd place finish in the 45+ race.
Chris Phenicie battled it out with the top cross racers in the region to finish 12th in the Open race.
Other team finishes were Peter Lopez in 34th, Blaine Haskell in 35th and Mike Schaub in 37th.
Cross at the River:
The "Cross at the River" CX race took place on that special date, 10/10/10. The race promoters were offering special $10 primes for the 10th place finishers in the various races, as a special way to commemorate the day. They were also offering a unique cyclocross course that closely followed the Arkansas River, down in Buena Vista.
Green Mountain Sports racing team cross racers Craig Hofer, Peter Lopez, Chris Phenicie, Mike Schaub and Ed Tokarski reported back that the course was super fast in spots, the wind was super tough and the racing was great. Team highlights included a 3rd place finish by Craig in the 45+ race and a 6th place finish by Chris in the Open race.
Frisco Cross:
The Cyclocross circuit traveled to the high country during the first weekend of October for the 4th annual "Frisco Cross." Races were held on both Saturday and Sunday in Frisco, Colorado. The two different courses were both tough, with extended portions traveling over wood chips, numerous off-camber turns and the high elevation location of about 8,600 feet.
We had a great showing of racers out at Frisco over the weekend, ready for some Summit County cyclocross. Racing in the Open category was Chris Phenicie:
While three GMS racing team members mixed it up in the "35+" race; Blaine Haskell, Peter Lopez and Ed Tokarski:
Racing in the 35+/Cat. 4 field was Dan Maduff:
While Tim Miller did the Cat. 4 race:
And, Racing in "45+" were Craig Hofer, Mike Schaub and Pieter Schouten:
Special congratulations go out to top ten finishers Chris Phenicie (7th) and Tim Miller (8th).
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