NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

Sacramento Cyclocross Series, Round 6
Howard Park, Ione

Sarah Maile (Ventana Mountain Bikes) and Marja-Liisa Magnuson (Kinetic Cycles) jumped out to an early lead in the Women’s Category A race. They were soon joined by leaders from the Women’s A35+ field as Joan Gregg (ProTek Abruzzo) and Lauren Liden (Michael David Winery Cycling Team/Delta Velo) made quick work of their 1-minute start deficit. The Women’s A35+ field included a strong and confident Linda Elgart (Webcor/Alto Velo) but she dropped off due to a flat tyre before catching the Category A women. Gregg was next to suffer a mechanical failure leaving Liden in the right position at the right time to win the Women’s A35+ category.
Although Maile appeared in control, she slowed for a distraction at the finish; finish-line judges were changing the remaining lap counter and the number six briefly came into view. This slower pace allowed Magnuson to make a last dash for the finish line but she needed another wheel rotation to win the race. “I was looking for her shadow on the straight”, remarked Maile, “and I didn’t see her. She actually came on the other side.” Maile said that she did not handle the bumpy course well. “The bumps slowed me down a lot. With my thumb injury I can’t grip strong enough so I was losing my bike under me and my handling [left] me.” Maile did praise the layout of the course but noted the lack of cycling at the park left the course in its condition.

Final positions were Maile on the top step of the Women’s Category A podium, Magnuson in second, Amanda Seigle (Metromint Cycling) came home third, with Stace Cooper (The Bicycle Business) in fourth. After Liden’s win in Category A35+, Gregg followed in second, Trudy Bjornsen (Davis Bike Club) was third, with the unfortunate Elgart finishing fourth.

In the Category A Men’s Race, Cody Kaiser (California Giant Berry Farms) found himself in the second row after the call-up. Halfway into the first lap, however, the World Cup competitor had stamped his authority on the race. Kaiser easily stormed away from a strong field and went on to solo for the win, “It was fun. I had a really good time. Right from the start, I just rolled off the front and kept my pace. I tried to keep my lap times as consistent as possible.” Kaiser continued, “[The course was] really bumpy but I always tend to roll a bigger gear and [the bumps] didn’t seem to affect me too much.” Kaiser will next prepare for the World Cup in Koksijde, Belgium.

With Kaiser away early, the race appeared to be for second. However, Gannon Myall (CalGiant/Specialized) emerged with a sole lock on second. “After the stairs I was able to ride the turns a little faster than the other guys,” said Myall, “I put a little effort in with four to go, held that gap, and just built on it.” After this, Myall had no need to look over his shoulder and joked that the racers behind him were “too young and let the old guy go.”
The final battle in the race then went for third place. “After [Kaiser and Myall] rode off the front, I just had to play the race smart,” said Keith Hillier (Marco Pro-Strava), “As long as I was on their wheel I could come around them and I just had to be first coming through that last corner.” Hillier’s strategy paid off as he did come around the final corner ahead and held off Matt Obregon (Team Bicycles Plus/Sierra Nevada) for third. Obregon finished a close fourth with Collin Samaan (The Bicycle Business) coming home fifth. Full results from these and all races for Round 6 of the 2011 Sacramento Cyclocross Series are available at http://www.bicyclingevents.com/SacCx/Results.asp.