NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

Brems and Jacques-Maynes Ride Away to Victories at CCCX Manzanita Park, Central Coast Cyclo•Cross Series

The Central Coast Cyclo•Cross (CCCX) Series ran this past Sunday at Manzanita Park with beautiful sunshine and 70-80 degrees throughout the day; racers had excellent although dusty ‘cross conditions to take on Keith DeFiebre’s reverse course.

The Elite Women saw Karen Brems (Team Rambuski Law) gap the field after the early laps. The eventual winner said, “I just attacked really hard on the climb then just tried to go as hard as I could for about two laps.” Brems did suffer a late race bobble; “I was able to recover and I had enough of a lead that I could still hold [off the field].”
Ann Fitzsimmons (Family Cycling Center) came home in second with Kathleen Hannon (Freewheel/Hunter) taking the third step on the podium. Yukie Nakamuera (Missing Link) improved by one over her previous weekend’s position to race fourth whilst Carmen Elliot (Sterling Sports) was fifth.

 

Racing his self-described bare minimum effort, after a solo 24-hour race the previous weekend, Andy Jacques-Maynes (CalGiant/Specialized) won the Elite Men’s race. Leading a long stream of racers early worried Jacques-Maynes, “but eventually it started breaking apart. [Then] I only had two guys on my wheel and I tried to turn up the gas just on these flats and went full gas on the hill.” With some distance to second, Jacques-Maynes rode the rest of his race “suffering” but with a safe lead.

With the Elite winners racing away, the best excitement in Elite Men came from the battle for second place. As the race wore on, Keith Hillier (Marc Pro-Strava) and Justin Robinson (CalGiant) were in obvious contention for second place, having exchanged position throughout. Into the final stretches, Hillier had the notable advantage. Coming down into the last technical sections, Robinson put in a big push and closed the gap. Hillier was able to hold-off Robinson until the penultimate turn; Robinson squeezed inside and pressed his way to the podium’s second step, Hillier coming in third. On-lookers were well-pleased to see the battle.

The rumour that Rand Miller (Sterling Sports) is busting out on the ‘cross course is true. Miller came in fourth…his blog-threat to turn up for his first ‘cross race of the season at the upcoming BASP event was tempered by a need to get in some racing beforehand. Rainer Schaefer (MASH SF) took fifth place in Elite Men.