Scott's Right Of Way

brake photos

Tacchino Cyclocross 2011

September 25, 2011

Today Squadra Coppi kicked off the MABRAcross Super 8 series.  It was an awesome event.

Yesterday, Jake, Liam and I spent all day at the course doing set up.  It was great.  The boys were very helpful.  Jake designed the start.  Jim McNeely had a great vision and I was happy to help him realize it.

Despite lots of rain on Thursday and Friday the course was dry by the time we left yesterday, but overnight rain left it wet and messy when we arrived first thing.  It would be very slippery.

Jake lined up on the front row of 120 racers in the Cat 4 men's race at 8:30 (because I am fast with the registration).  Before the season we had figured he could perhaps be in the top 20 in a Cat 4 race like this, and maybe in my wildest dreams he would podium.

The cat 4s started in a massive rush and Jake was well positioned. 

 

after 2/3 of the first lap, Jake was in the front group about 11th.

 

But with 2 laps to go, Jake had moved up to 6th.

Jay Westcott got a great photo of Jake on the run-up

Over the barriers (photo by Joel Gwadz)

 

He stayed with the guy who was 5th for that last lap. 

 

On the last lap he came into the final off cambers (built by me the day before) just seconds behind 4th and 5th.  5th went down allowing Jake to close the gap.

 

He couldn't pass for 5th, but finished 6th, which is awesome.  14 years old for a month and 6th out of 120 in the Men's Cat 4.  Incredible.  Now what? Who knows.

In the next race, Liam lined up with Dustin Goodwin.  Liam was really excited to race.  He even tried a last minute switch to clip-in pedals before the race but decided he wasn't ready after a few crashes.

It was a hard course for Liam and Dustin but they had fun.

Liam on the off-camber  

Liam finished 14th and Dustin 11th.  I'm really proud of Liam.  He is really enjoying cross this year and looking forward to more races.  He kept wanting to go back out and ride the course more.

At 11 I did the 45+ race.  I traveled all week and worked 8 hours on Saturday to set up the course, so I wasn't really set up for a good race.  I started well but slowly lost a few places.  I was generally happy with my bike handling in the mud, but the run-up and power slogs were killing me.  I finished 10th, which is ok.  I wish I could have held on to a few guys in front of me. 

Thanks to all my teammates at Squadra Coppi for making such a great event happen.  Also thanks to our sponsors, Vapiano, Fresh Bikes, Duvel (just had one), Ommegang and many others

 

Charm City Cyclocross 2011 -- Thank God Cross Season is Here

Jake and I made our way to Charm City this morning.  Work and other demands have not put my fitness where I'd like it to be.  So my expectations for Charm City were low.  Just a big practice was my thought. Jake has been riding well, but he's no longer in the 10-14 group, and at Charm City they use an "Under 19" category.  So in the car we discussed treating it as a good opening race, practicing good technique but having no expectations.

The promoters had reversed the traditional course and the rain over the past weeks had made for some greasy corners and a little mud pit.  It was flowy and awesome.

My race was good.  With only a short warm up I rode within myself.  The flowing course let me dose my limited fitness.  I raced I had a good time, felt good about my 20th place. Photo by Dan Klaussen

Jake's race was immediately after mine.  He lined up in a field of 12.  Teammate Luke Klaussen was in it for his first ever cross race.  The started the boys after the Women's 3/4 race and the Masters women, so they started 1 minute 30 seconds after the women.  I watched the start and Jake slotted into 5th.  Then I went to the car to put on some warm clothes.  By the time I got back to the mid-point of the course, Jake was FLYING through the women.  He was already moving at high speed through them.  I was like Wow.  By the second lap he had made it through over half the women.  I was freaking out how fast he was riding.  he looked so smooth, so fast.  He was passing women at will and having to wait for them in turns.

(photo Dan K) With one lap to go Jake caught the number 2 and 3 women, who included a former Pro Mountain bike champ, Marla Streb.  I was freaking out.

  (Photo: Dan K)
  He ultimately almost caught the Women's winner (about 20 seconds behind her).  He won the U19 race by about 1:20.  His time for 4 laps was the same as the top 3 men in the Cat 4 race earlier in the day.  I am blown away and so proud.

Luke had a good race and a good time.  He was 8th. 

It was great to see everyone again.  Teammates, Ken & Jean and little Charlotte, Kimani Nielson ripping it in the 35+ along with Adam Austin .  Rich Elder banging in the Cat 4.  I can't even list all the non-teammate friends it was great to see.  Thanks to Chris Nystrom and C3 for putting on a great race and designing a great course that suited me.

Next Sunday is Coppi's Tacchino.  First race of the MABRAcross Super 8.  it is going to be incredible.  Jim McNeely, Jake and I were out at Rosaryville last weekend working on course tweaks.