Hyattsville CX Premieres To Rave Reviews

By Bill Schieken, Cyclocross Editor

The inaugural Hyattsville Cyclocross presented by Arrow Bicycle and Route1Velo took place October 11 at Magruder Park in Hyattsville, Maryland. Over 220 riders were treated to a fast course that featured challenging technical features interspersed with fast power sectors. The predominantly flat terrain favored the rider with a big engine that may have been hamstrung by last weekend’s hillfests, BCA Cyclocross and Kelley Acres ‘Cross.

Proceeds from the event benefited Special Olympics Maryland Prince George’s County. One of the highlights of the day was the parade lap of Special Olympians and their Cat 1/2/3 escorts. The top three Elite Men’s finishers, Dave Fuentes (Battley Harley-Davidson), Adam Driscoll (Adventures for the Cure) and Chris Consorto (Secret Henry’s Team) along with top ten finisher Patrick Blair (Adventures for the Cure) stayed late in the afternoon to participate in the parade lap. This was a class act by these riders and great to see the top talent in Mid-Atlantic cyclocross giving back to the community.

The Elite Men's Field Escorts Special Olympians.

As for the racing, both elite races developed early into two-rider duels that looked destined for a finishing straight sprint. Unfortunately, it was not to be in either race as ill-timed mechanicals sealed the fate for the runners up.

In the men’s race, Dave Fuentes put in a blistering attack every time he touched paved ground. Adam Driscoll was the only rider in the field able to respond. Fuentes said that the fast course suited a "roadie" like him. “I like courses like that since my technical skills are not there like they are with more experienced cross racers,” Fuentes said. “I tried to get rid of Driscoll several times and could gap him out of the turns and straights pretty easy, but he would always come back to me in the technical sections.”

For his part, Driscoll, who is only in his second week racing in the elite field, said that this was the first time he has raced against someone who had significantly more power then he did. “In most races that is usually my advantage, but not today with a pro crit rider like Dave Fuentes!” When Fuentes put in his attacks Driscoll said that he was forced to go full gas to stay with him. “I did every time and was preparing for a last lap sprint and then I dropped my chain with about two to go and that is all Dave needed to gap me,” Driscoll said.

Driscoll and Fuentes shared the lead for the first two laps.

Fuentes also figured it was going to be a two-up road sprint, in which he was confident he had the advantage. “But Driscoll wrapped his chain on a running section on the back side of the course and that gave me the gap I needed,” Fuentes said. “All I had to do was ride steady and not make any mistakes. We were both pretty evenly matched at that point and it was a time trial for the last three laps,” Fuentes said. “I'm pretty sure that everyone was looking to see that two-up sprint though.”

In the women’s elite race, Jennifer Maxwell (ATAC Sportswear p/b the Bike Rack) also set a blistering pace at the beginning of the race to gain a sizable lead. But as the race wore on, Terri Spanogle (National Capitol Velo Club) used the technical sections to her advantage and methodically began reeling in Maxwell. “When I first arrived and saw that the course was flat with wide open fast sections, I thought, this is a roadie’s course, I’m not going to do well since the more technical courses are better suited for me,” Spanogle said. “However, the course had plenty of twisty and tricky sections, good flow, and a fun spiral that made it interesting,” she added.

Spanogle had her work cut out for her from the start after finding herself last in the field following the short prologue section. She worked herself up to second within the first few laps and held that position for most of the race. Maxwell suffered two mechanicals about midway through the race and could not recover the lost ground to catch Spanogle. “At that point I focused on riding smoothly and not letting up,” Spanogle said.

Libbey Sheldon held off the rest of the field to cross the line third. She moved up to second in the final standings after Maxwell was disqualified for an improper bike change. Jean Woodrow (Squadra Coppi) moved up to take the third spot.

The Men’s Elite Masters race was a four-man race for most of the day. Mike Birner (Ben’s Performance Bikes/BMC), Marc Gwadz (DCMTB), Ron Huebner (Potomac Velo Club) and Bernie Shiao (Kelley Benefit Strategies/LSV) separated from the field early and traded the top four spots for a good portion of the race. Eventually Birner was able to separate himself from the field and power to the victory.

Birner flies through the barriers.

“Though there was minimal elevation change and very few natural features to work with, Route1Velo managed to create a fast, technical course that required a number of transitions and speed changes," Birner said.  “Although the course was less selective than most in the MABRA region, I think it allowed for a much more tactical race when combined with the wind and open stretches,” he added.

Joining Birner on the podium was Huebner in second place, Gwadz in third, Shiao fourth and Matt Parse (Route1Velo/Arrow Bicycle) in fifth.

There is no MABRA race next week. However, like this week’s Hyattsville race, there is a first year event on Sunday worth checking out. The Winchester Wheelmen host the Winchester Apple Harvest Cyclocross. Just by registering and picking up your bib number you will be entered into a drawing for two Jet Blue roundtrip tickets. This promises to be a great race and is another good opportunity to hone your skills before the MABRA series resumes with DCCX.

Notes: The C3-Athletes Serving Athletes youth movement gave the Mens 3/4 field a break this week and instead set their sights on the elite field. In his first elite race, 16 year old Sam O’Keefe finished fourth and 19 year old Tom Mackay came in sixth.

Tim Brown (The Bike Rack) started the season with a second place in the Charm City Cyclocross Cat 4 race. At Hyattsville, he won the Cat 3/4 race and placed 11th in the elite race.

Jennifer Maxwell was disqualified from the women’s elite race after suffering a mechanical on the course. Instead of taking her bike with her to the pits, about 100 yards from her mechanical, she left the bike and ran to the pit area to retrieve her spare bike. USA Cycling cyclocross rule 5c2 states “changing of equipment shall be done at the same point with no advance in the rider’s position.” It’s an easy thing to forget in the heat of a race but a good lesson to keep in mind if you find yourself in a similar situation.
Not one to ever give up, Maxwell actually rode the last two or three laps of the race on a bike that did not have a saddle. That’s right, no saddle, just titanium rails. Let’s say it together, “Cross is boss.”

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photo credits: Joel Steen and Bill Schieken.

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

Comments

[cam]

wonder if all the riders out there could support a fellow rider named Charles?

his story about overcoming smoking/addictions through riding has become a finalist in the mutual of omaha, aha moment campaign. if enough of use vote for him he'll be featured in their 2010 ad campaign.

take a look at his story: http://www.ahamoment.com/vote/charles
it's only :30 or so and is a nice tribute to power of riding.
thanks for looking

cam

cam@ahamoment.com