CrossVegas preview: pros struggle with early date for a must-do race.

By Steve Frothingham
Published Sep. 23, 2009
Updated Aug. 5, 2010 at 1:44 PM UTC

Results

By Steve Frothingham

CrossVegas preview: Kabush between autograph signings at the Maxxis booth.

Photo: Steve Frothingham

For most cyclocross pros — almost all of whom make their living racing mountain bikes or road bikes during the “off season” — CrossVegas is an odd confection: one of the most visible races of the North American season, with arguably the best field.

Yet it comes so early in the season, and is on such an unusual course, that many racers enter it with something of a hit-or-miss attitude.

“It’s like the Tour of California for cyclocross,” Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-cyclocrossworld.com) said Wednesday.

Many of the top men and women spent the first half of Wednesday on the Interbike show floor, signing autographs, meeting sponsors and, in some cases, handing out résumés.

More than a few riders said they had not yet ridden a ’cross bike this season. Georgia Gould, who was third at CrossVegas last year, was having her two new Luna Chix Orbea bikes assembled Wednesday afternoon. Maxxis rider Geoff Kabush, like Gould fresh off a long mountain bike season, has yet to mount or dismount a ’cross bike.

“I’m looking forward to (CrossVegas),” Kabush said. “I just wish I had a little more time off before the season started.”

Many of the favorites, however, raced in last weekend’s Star Crossed and Rad Racing GP in Washington. They’ve worked the kinks out of their equipment and technique, and got a feel for who might be favored in Vegas.

Among the favorites for the men are Swiss star Christian Heule, who won Star Crossed, and U.S. star Jonathan Page (Planet Bike), who won Sunday.

“It’s a different kind of course,” Page said Wednesday. “It’s the kind of course that favors power, so that’s what I’ve been working on.”

The Cannondale-cyclocrossworld.com team enters CrossVegas coming off a successful campaign in the Northwest, where Jamey Driscoll was third at Sunday’s race and Jeremy Powers was second on Saturday. Teammate Tim Johnson hurt his shoulder in a crash Saturday and skipped racing on Sunday. He said he suffered a small separation or torn rotator cuff.

“It feels fine now,” he said, conceding that he would likely be racing with some pain Wednesday night.

But this year, the shoulder aside, Johnson feels better prepared than at previous CrossVegas editions. In prior years, when CrossVegas preceded any other major races, “it was such a brutal opener of the season,” he said.

This year, however, the Washington weekend helped, as did the Tour of Missouri, which ended September 14 and which Powers and Johnson each raced for their road teams, Jelly Belly and OUCH-Maxxis, respectively.

Among the women, defending champ Katie Compton (Planet Bike) is primed for a repeat win. She raced a relatively limited mountain bike season, and enters the cyclocross season with one of the best sponsorship packages she has enjoyed in her career. She raced (and won) several local Colorado ’cross races in recent weeks.

Another favorite is Gould’s teammate Katarina Nash, who skipped some of the end-of-season off-road races to spend some relaxed weeks training in California. Nash is planning a long cyclocross campaign, culminating with the world championships in her native Czech Republic.

British champion Helen Wyman (Kona) is a new face to many Americans, but wowed the crowd in Washington last weekend, winning in a dominating fashion Saturday and coming in fourth despite an ill-timed flat on Sunday.

Results

Men’s start list | Women’s start list | Industry start list

Elite men’s start list

2. Erwin Vervecken Revor-Jartazi Cycling Team
3. Christian Heule Rendementhypo Cycling Team
4. Ryan Trebon Kona
5. Tim Johnson Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com
6. Jonathan Page Planet Bike
7. Jeremy Powers Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com
8. Todd Wells Specialized Factory Racing
9. Jamey Driscoll Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com
10. Joachim Parbo Ccv-Leopard Cycles
11. Troy Wells Team Clif Bar
12. Jesse Anthony Jamis Bicycles
13. Jeremiah Bishop Monavie-Cannondale.com
14. Geoff Kabush Maxxis-Rocky Mountain
15. Ben Berden Revor Cycling Team
16. Nicholas Weighall California Giant Berries/specialized
17. Barry Wicks Kona
18. Nicholas Keough Gauntlet Productions / Williams Wheel Systems
19. Jonathan Baker Hudz-Subaru Cycling Team
20. Brian Matter Gear Grinder
21. Mark Lalonde Planet Bike
22. Adam Myerson Cycle-Smart
23. Christopher Jones Champion System
24. Erik Tonkin Kona
25. Tim Van Nuffel Rendementhypo
26. Adam Craig Giant Bicycles
27. Molly Cameron Portland Bicycle Studio
28. Bart Gillespie Monaviecannondale.com
29. Jake Wells Mafiaracing.com
30. Craig Richey Blue Competition Cycles P/b Neverblue
31. Brady Kappius Team Clif Bar
32. Justin Robinson California Giant Berries/specialized
33. Joseph Thompson Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Cycling Team
34. Greg Wittwer Alan North America Cycling Team
35. Brent Prenzlow Celo Pacific / B&l
36. Stephen Cummings Indiana Regional Medical Center / Big Bang Bikes
37. Bram De Groot Rabobank
38. Antonio Cruz Bmc Cycling Team
39. Gregory Keller Boulder Cycle Sport
40. Ben Raby Kccx-Verge
41. Brandon Dwight Boulder Cycle Sport
42. Matthew Pacocha Hudz-Subaru Cyclocross Team
43. Bill Marshall Kccx-Verge
44. Adam Mills Kccx-Verge
45. Matt Ankney Kccx-Verge
46. Will Gault Kccx-Verge
47. Matt Shriver
48. Brad Cole Kccx-Verge
49. Andy Bestwick Allegiant Air Team Pain
50. Carson Miller Landrover-Orbea Cycling Club
51. Aaron Tuckerman Land Rover-Orbea
52. Lyle Hanson Great Dane Velo Club
53. Hunter Pronovost Cheshire Cycle Racing
54. Cort Cramer Svelte Cycles
55. Ernesto Marenchin Speedgoat.com
56. Scott Mclaughlin Sram Factory Team
57. Cody Peterson Hutchs Bicycles
58. John Bailey Bailey Bikes
59. John Behrens Bailey Bikes
60. Donny Carroll Bailey Bikes
61. Benjamin Popper Hrs / Rock Lobster
62. Jay Strothman Fulcrum Coaching
63. Ted Willard Team Bearclaw
64. David Yeater River City Bicycles
65. Jeremy Ferguson
66. Travis Mcmaster Mafiaracing.com
67. Jason Siegle Bike Religion
68. Shadd Smith Tradewind Energy/trek Midwest
69. Brandon Mart Team Kinetic Cycles
70. Sam Krieg I.c.e Rocky Mtn Surgery Center
71. Bryan Harwood Blue Sky Velo
72. Nicholas Stevens Walkworks/fuentesdesign
73. John Curry Gas/intrinsik Cycling Team
74. Kamden Reedy Four Unity
75. Kyle Reedy Four Unity
76. James Lalonde Planet Bike
77. Anton Petrov Profile Design
78. Jared Nieters Haymarket Bicycles/trakkers
79. Greg Lewis Directory Plus/ Trek
80. Drew Edsall Scott / Wtb
81. Derek Loudermilk Horizon Organic P/b Prerace.com
82. Derek Hermon Bear Valley Bikes
83. John Tzinberg Bike Religion
84. Scott Keller Schampa/form/bikebean
85. Spencer Powlison Mafia Racing
86. Robert Marion Kenda/kmc/hayes
87. Aaron Bouplon Rocky Mounts / Izze
88. Christopher Ragusa Ccb Volkswagen
89. Noah Holcomb Cannondale Factory Racing
90. David Andrew Quist Team Clif Bar Cycling
91. Dana Weber Trek / World Bicycle Relief
92. Jimmy Archer
93. Benjamin Bostrom Shoair Specialized
94. Matthew Mcnamara Sterling Sports Group
95. Alexandre Lussier Gas/intrinsik
96. Matt Freeman Pass Pt
97. Vince Roberge Trails Edge
98. Thomas Skinner
99. Jeff Prinz Cynergy Cycles Race Team
100. Morgan Ryan Major Motion Development
101. Chance Noble California Giant Berries/specialized
102. Gannon Myall California Giant Berry Farms/specialized
103. Pat Lemieux Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team
104. Kevin Attkisson Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team
105. Jens Schwedler Stevens Racing Team
106. Neil Schiemann Tall Tree Cycles
107. Chuck Coyle Hudz-Subaru Cycling Team
108. Michael Broderick Team Kenda/seven/notubes
109. Aaron Bradford Onsite Ultrasound And Enduro
110. Guillaume Nelessen Van Dessel Factory Team
111. Max Plaxton Team Sho-Air
112. Andrew Crooks Kona Usa
113. Bryan Alders Monavie-Cannondale.com
114. Mitchell Peterson Monaviecannondale.com

Elite women’s start list

2. Katie Compton Planet Bike
3. Helen Wyman Kona
4. Georgia Gould Luna Chix
5. Sue Butler Monavie-Cannondale.com
6. Katerina Nash Luna Chix
7. Laura Van Gilder C3 Athletes Serving Athletes
8. Amy Dombroski Webcor Builders
9. Devon Haskell Velo Bella
10. Kristin Wentworth Planet Bike
11. Kelli Emmett Giant Bicycles
12. Anna Young Pioneer Racing
13. Barbara Howe Unattached
14. Julie Kuliecza Planet Bike
15. Marne Smiley
16. Lea Davison Maxxis/rocky Mountain
17. Kari Studley Velo Bella
18. Wendy Williams Hudz/subaru
19. Coryn Rivera Proman Hit Squad
20. Emily Van Meter Hudz/subaru
21. Kendall Ryan Team C.i.c.l.e. / Voler
22. Alison Dunlap Luna Chix
23. Alison Powers Team Fuji
24. Lisa A Curry Gas/intrinsik Cycling Team
25. Kris Walker Ice/rocky Mountain Surf
26. Lynn Bush Tough Girls/scott
27. Kate Scheider Mafia Racing
28. Alison Sydor Maxxis/rocky Mountain
29. Dorothy Wong Team C.i.c.l.e. / Voler
30. Marian Jamison Sinclair/stevens
31. Sarah Kaufmann Titus/roaring Mouse
32. Lana Atchley
33. Jean Ann Mckirdy Local Ride Racing
34. Cristina Begy Gates/spot
35. Rebecca Much Hudz/subaru
36. Lauren Edwards Hudz/subaru
37. Mary Mcconneloug Team Kenda/seven/no
38. Michele Bliss Chipotle-Titus
39. Kori Seehafer Team Type 1
40. Becca Blay Mafia Racing
41. Tiffany Pezzulo Dft P/b Treads

Industry race startlist

2. Mark Mccormack (Sales Rep for New England) Manufacturer M
3. Katy Steudel (Hayes Bicycle Group) Manufacturer F
4. John Howard (John Howard Sports) Manufacturer M
5. Sean Sullivan (Mavic Sport) Manufacturer M
6. Dan Ellmore (Schlamm LTD) Manufacturer M
7. Michael Weiss (Big Shark Bikes in St Louis) Retailer M
8. Daniel Depaemelaere (Wheels Manufacturing) Manufacturer M
9. John Bliss (IMBA) Advocacy M
10. Nick Gibson (Yakima Bike Vigilantes) Manufacturer M
11. Carlton Reid (BikeBiz Magazine) Media M
12. Steve Clausse (Mcghie’s Ski, Bike & Board) Retailer M
13. Danny Felts (The Veloshop) Retailer M
14. George Barthel (Giant Bicycles) Manufacturer M
15. Matthew Ohran (Cannondale Bicycle Corp) Manufacturer M
16. Waldek Stepniowski (Clif Bar) Manufacturer M
17. David Gabrys (Salsa Cycles) Manufacturer M
18. John Scarafiotti (Krieg Cycling) Manufacturer M
19. Eric Russell (Clif Bar) Manufacturer M
20. Jon Cariveau (Moots) Manufacturer M
21. Robert Downs (Planet Bike) Manufacturer M
22. Chris D’aluisio (Specialized) Manufacturer M
23. Mark Fitzsimmons (Fox Racing) Manufacturer M
24. David Fee (Yakima Bike Vigilantes) Manufacturer M
25. Robert Love (Blue Sky Velo) Retailer M
26. Brian Fornes (Raleigh America) Manufacturer M
27. Andrew Yee (Cyclocross Magazine) Media M
28. Ian Dewar (Specialized) Manufacturer M
29. John Mckone (Northwave USA) Distributor M
30. David Condon (Yakima Bike Vigilantes) Manufacturer M
31. Robb Mesecher (Road Bike Action Magazine) Media M
32. Chris Tuma (Mcghie’s Ski, Bike & Board) Retailer M
33. Kelley Tim (Retailers) Retailer M
34. Sheila Moon (Sheila Moon) Manufacturer F
35. Chris Sautter (Yakima Bike Vigilantes) Manufacturer M
36. Andrew Hammond (Specialized) Manufacturer M
37. Chris Ramsey (Fair Wheel Bikes) Retailer M
38. Todd Schmidt (QBP) Distributor M
39. John Elgart (Voler Team Apparel) Manufacturer M
40. Linda Elgart (Voler Team Apparel) Manufacturer F
41. Scott Goocher (Jacks Bikes) Retailer M
42. Jeff Mabry (Mcghie’s Ski, Bike & Board) Retailer M
43. Daniel Roper (Troy Lee Designs) Manufacturer M
44. Brian Hodes (bicycle.net) Media M
45. Jeff Gelt (Central Wheel) Retailer M
46. Rocky Crocker (Team W.A.R.) Retailer M
47. Jason Ferrier (Sheila Moon) Manufacturer M
48. Reinaldo Anzola (Mcghie’s Ski, Bike & Board) Retailer M
49. Chris Fondren (Lee’s Bikes) Retailer M
50. Wayne Mackey (Rtailer) Retailer M
51. Keith Williams (Williams Wheels) Retailer M
52. Spencer Canon (bicycle.net) Media M
53. Jonathan Tessler (bicycle.net) Media M
54. Tony Stanislav (Sunflower Bike Shop) Retailer M
55. Lauren Haughey (xtracycle) Manufacturer F
56. Matthew Simpson (Pedros) Manufacturer M
57. Scott Mares (Sibex) Manufacturer M
58. Eric Neely (Reality Bikes) Retailer M
59. Jacob Sisson (Cyclocross Magazine) Media M
60. Douglas Young (Mcghie’s Ski, Bike & Board) Retailer M
61. Bob Walker (Barries Ski and Sports) Retailer M
62. James Stull (Chain Reaction Cycles) Retailer M
63. Carrie Edwards (Sheila Moon Cycling Apparel) Manufacturer F
64. Thomas Prehn (Cat Eye and Bicycle Research) Distributor M
65. Don Langley (Specialized) Manufacturer M
66. Cale Wenthur (Hayes Bicycle Group) Manufacturer M
67. James Coats (Specialized) Manufacturer M
68. Uri Friedman (Pedal Revolution) Retailer M
69. Steve Bobusch (QBP Euro Sports Group) Distributor M
70. Jd Whitney (Echelon Sokes) Retailer M
71. Colby Weber (Retailer) Retailer M
72. Mike Mcmahon (Team Veolcity) Distributor M
73. Brandon Heflin (Incycle) Retailer M
74. Rob Wesson (Quality Bicycle Products) Distributor M
75. David Drumm (Hudz) Manufacturer M
76. Richard Sangalli (ABI Industries Enduro Bearings) Manufacturer M
77. David Brown (FLUID) Manufacturer M
78. Richard Smith (FLUID) Manufacturer M
79. Erik Dekold (Canari) Manufacturer M
80. Casey Williams (Bear Valley Bikes) Manufacturer M
81. Stephen Marshall (Bear Valley Bikes) Retailer M
82. Cameron Williams (Bear Valley Bikes) Retailer M
83. Kelley Brunson (Bear Valley Bikes) Retailer F
84. Thom Kneeland (Ashland Bicycle Works) Retailer M
85. Chris Snead (Stellina Sport) Distributor M
86. Robert Weyman (Veloworx bike shop) Retailer M
87. John Villena (Retailer) Retailer M
88. Sean Kneale (Sales Rep) Distributor M
89. Scott Sherman (Olympic Supply Company) Distributor M
90. Jack Lindquist (InCycle bike shop) Retailer M
91. Joe Taylor (Sheila Moon Cycling Apparel) Manufacturer M
92. Erik Esborg (Bikes Belong Coalition) Advocacy M
93. Bruno Maier (Bikes Belong Coalition) Advocacy M
94. Don Powell (Panache Cyclewear Co.) Manufacturer M
95. Ezra Taylor (QBP) Distributor M
96. Scott Fitzgerald (Fitzgeralds Bikes) Retailer M
97. Tyler Coplea (Oakley) Retailer M
98. Theo Propst (Cycle Sports) Retailer M
99. Daniel Horndasch (Chrome Bags) Manufacturer M
100. Joe Hamilton (Montlake Bike Shop) Retailer M
101. Brian Meyer (Fairwheel Bikes) Retailer M
102. Brian Coyne (Mcghie’s Ski, Bike & Board) Retailer M
103. James Ransweiler (Mcghie’s Ski, Bike & Board) Retailer M
104. Stephen Horaj (Mcghie’s Ski, Bike & Board) Retailer M
105. David Schindehette (Specialized) Manufacturer M
106. Jeff Herring (Advocacy) Advocacy M
107. Wojtek Wysocki (The Massage Stick) Manufacturer M
108. Larry Grossman (Squirt Lube) Distributor M
109. Chris Matthews (Specialized) Manufacturer M
110. Travis Tung (Mcghie’s Ski, Bike & Board) Retailer M
111. Brendan O’brien (Specialized) Manufacturer M
112. Alex Anderson (Fox Racing) Manufacturer M
113. Dylan Vanweelden (Yakima Bike Vigilantes) Manufacturer M
114. Petar Tomich (Mavic USA) Manufacturer M
115. Greg Jackson (Spin Bike Shop) Retailer M
116. Scott Verdekel (Topanga Creek Bicycles) Retailer M
117. Allison Snooks (Landry’s Bikes) Retailer F
118. Nic Sims (Specialized) Manufacturer M
119. Patrick Quilter (Specialized) Manufacturer M
120. Max Burgos (Agent) Media M

FILED UNDER: Cyclocross / News / Race Report / Race Result TAGS: CrossVegas

Steve Frothingham

VeloNews.com editor Steve Frothingham joined the gang in bike-crazy Boulder in early 2008. He is the former executive editor of the trade magazine Bicycle Retailer & Industry News. He also was a reporter and editor for The Associated Press, where he covered three presidential primaries in politics-crazy New Hampshire. His racing career began on a BMX track in 1980 and reached its zenith with several miserable road races as a category 2 in the early 90s. He subsequently retreated to cat. 3, where he has had a consistently mediocre (at best) record ever since, in road, mountain bike and cyclocross events. Follow him on Twitter at @steve_froth