Cyclocross Gets Early Call Up At New Jersey State Fair

By Bill Schieken, Cyclocross Editor

You know the saying “It’s like Christmas in July”? Well, Merry CX-Mas, everybody! The cyclocross season, once a mainstay of the autumn and winter months, officially kicked off July 31 with SpectaCross. The two-day event featured a mud-drenched course snaking through the 4000 seat Miller Lite Outdoor Arena at the New Jersey state fair. A venue more accustomed to monster truck rallies and demolition derbies played host to over 100 racers in several racing categories.

The event featured two Pro/Elite Men races. The Friday night Cyclocross Magazine Sprints was won by Corner Cycles’ Jonny Bold. The Saturday afternoon race ended with Spooky/NCC/Kenda’s Alec Donahue taking the win with Haymarket Bicycle’s Jared Nieters close behind. For the women, C3-Athletes Serving Athletes’ Deidre Winfield pretty much ruled the day, finishing atop the field in all four races she entered.

Nieters told GamJams that the course was short with no good stretches to build up speed. There was also significant mud in the corners that he said defined the course. In a blow-by-blow of Saturday’s race Jared provides a great reminder that cyclocross is most definitely a contact sport. Here’s how he described the day:

“I started poorly, not clipping in quickly, and entered the arena around 10th. I hammered up to second on the first lap and settled in on Donahue's wheel. We slowly rode away from everyone, except Johnny Bold. After a bit, I attacked after the finish line to see how the others were feeling, Bold came with me, and Donahue settled into his own pace. Bold and I rode together for about 40 minutes, taking turns leading. I was gapping him out on the straight sections, but he was catching me in the muddy corners. I attacked him a few times, but he never cracked. I let him come by for a few laps to learn his lines, but it didn't really speed me up too much when I re-took the lead. Donahue caught up with about three to go and I attacked when he made contact. On the last lap, Donahue bumped me hard and took the lead shortly before the barriers, and I returned the favor in the next corner. I maintained the lead until the second to last corner, which was where the race was decided. I was in the middle of the only real dry line, Donahue came up on my inside and made some solid contact, and I was forced wide into some mud. It was a good move on his part, I left the door open on my inside, condemning myself to a frustrating second.” 

Jared Nieters (Haymarket Bicycles) thought the course was short with no good stretches to build up speed, and was defined instead by the generous mud. (photo courtesy of Ryan Dudek)

GamJams Coaches’ Roundtable contributor Chris Mayhew also scored a win over the weekend, taking top honors in one of the best-named races you will see, the “B Men presented by Erwin Vervecken Webdesign.” For those unfamiliar with the sport, Vervecken is a three-time world champion from Belgium, and who knew, Web designer.

Mayhew noted that the tight course confirmed the old cyclocross adage that the sprint is at the start and not the finish. With little room to pass, getting a good start was key to victory. To combat the slick corners he made sure to run his tires around 28psi and follow wisdom you can only get from a good coach, “fast is slow, slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” Despite the win, Mayhew’s one disappointment was that the rain prevented race organizers from using the demolition derby car planted in the center of the course, as a run up.

 

Chris Mayhew (JBV Coaching) lamented the loss of the buried car as a run-up. (photo courtesy of Ryan Dudek)

SpectaCross is the brain-child of Ken Getchell, race promoter, announcer and owner of SpectaSport LLC. Getchell said that he was for the most part happy with how things went. His biggest disappointment was the overall size of the field and especially the lack of masters-level racers. This was a bit of a surprise since this is the field that, at least in the Mid-Atlantic region, seems to grow every year.

Getchell said that for next year he may make a couple changes to address field sizes and racing distance. “We're looking at race lengths, maybe offering riders two shorter races instead of one long race for a single entry fee,” Getchell said. “Even the pro men were unable to speak after the 30 minute race on Friday. So, with all the tight turns and accelerations, and heat, a shorter race may be the way to go.”

Getchell also said that next year there will be two rather than three race sessions on Saturday to take some pressure off his staff. As for the masters categories, he said that given the disappointing turnout he will “probably shorten the program by eliminating the age-groups.” Getchell told GamJams that this is “a bummer for the masters that did support us, so I'll probably cut them [the masters that entered this year] a break on their entry fee next year."

In addition to next year’s races in New Jersey, Getchell is looking to run similar events at other state fairs. If you want a SpectaCross at your fair, give SpectaSport a call.

For more coverage of this event, including interviews with Mid-Atlantic racers that participated, visit www.cxhairs.com. For a preview of the craziness that awaits us this cyclocross season, check out the photo of Proteus Bike’s Jennifer Franko. Yep, that’s her submerged in the mud puddle. Cross is boss.

 

Jennifer Franko (center) races for Proteus Bicycles. Sponsor name provided as a courtesy due to the partially obscured view of the racer's jersey. (photo courtesy of Ryan Dudek)

Complete 2009 SpectaCross results here.

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GamJams Cyclocross Editor Bill Schieken races for Route1Velo/Arrow Bicycle. He is also the editor of In The Crosshairs.