Iddings and Berg take opening weekend of Seattle ’cross series

• Results

By LeRoi Smith

Ryan Iddings (Lapiere) survived a hard-charging chase in the men’s elite field and Kristi Berg (Redline Bicycles) dominated the women as the Seattle Cyclocross Series (SCX) kicked off in Washington this weekend.

Sun, warmth and a dry, fast course greeted racers to start the largest ‘cross series in Washington.

Some hard core ‘crossers felt a little guilty enjoying the sunshine on race day; but we all knew the rain and mud would be here soon enough so we might as well break out the lawn chairs and soak up the last bit of summer in Seattle with 650 of our closest racing buddies.

Evergreen High School has become a favorite course in the series with something for just about everyone. The course has four main highlights: a steep, moderate-length run-up, which this year was soft and dusty, an equally dusty and soft downhill after the run up, a great swooping slalom half-pipe-like descent about a quarter-lap past the up/down and the barriers.

This year the designers opted for two sets of doubles about 10 yards apart. While not particularly decisive in the racing, it was particularly painful as they were on an incline with a 90-degree left turn directly before them.

The elite women started midway through the day’s schedule at 11:00, racing at the same time as the Cat 3 Master men. From the gun it was apparent that Berg was determined to keep to the front. A small bobble at the hairpin following the downhill by Jadine Riley (Team Group Health) allowed Berg a small gap. Riley was quickly back up to speed but would find the gap difficult to close. Less than half a lap in they started running into the Master Men and would spend the rest of their race working through the groups.

The order gelled into Berg, followed by Jenni Gaertner (Riverstone CDA), Beth Lyndon-Griffith (Hagens Berman), Riley and Ann Knapp (Kona). The gaps grew and shrank as they worked through groups of Master Men; but none of the riders were able to make meaningful contact with their rabbits. In the end, Berg was simply too strong and too smooth and was able to extend her lead through to the finish.

The elite men’s race was a two-up battle from the beginning.

Russell Stevenson (Benaroya Research Institute) and Iddings quickly gapped the rest of the elite men. A five-man chase group formed up with Kevin Noiles (La Bicicletta Pro Shop) the group’s main aggressor early on. Zack McDonald (Classic Cycle), Toby Swanson (Benaroya Research Institute), Logan Wetzel (Benaroya Research Institute) and Steve Fisher (Rad Racing NW/Hagens Berman) rounded out the chase.

Controlling the race, the two leaders worked together until Iddings threw a chain with three laps to go. Stevenson opened a gap on Iddings who furiously chased back after righting his drivetrain. As Iddings was getting back in touch, it was Stevenson’s turn for some bad luck as he flatted.

Meanwhile, the chase group smelled blood and fired up the pace. Iddings apparently did not want the race to come back together this close the finish and pushed on solo as Stevenson changed his flat. Out of the pits, Stevenson was now engaged in the chase group and clearly working to close the gap to Iddings. The chase was unable to hold Stevenson’s wheel; but he was unable to make up the distance to Iddings before time ran out.

Stevenson was second ahead of the chase group of McDonald, Swanson and Wetzel. Noiles, the early aggressor in the chase, paid for his efforts, slipping to sixth.

The SCX series takes a break this weekend. It will be back in action on October 11 at Beverly Park Elementary, a new venue for the series. SCX is sponsored by New Belgium Brewing, FSA, Northwave and Redline Bicycles.

More information can be found at www.seattlecyclocross.com.

Results

Men’s results | Click for: ( Women’s results )

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• 1. Ryan Iddings Lapiere in 0:59:57.2
• 2. Russell Stevenson Benaroya Research Institute in 1:00:06.3
• 3. Zack McDonald Classic Cycle in 1:00:07.7
• 4. Toby Swanson Benaroya Research Institute in 1:00:08.9
• 5. Logan Wetzel Beneroya Research Institute in 1:00:10.1
• 6. kevin Noiles La Bicicletta Pro Shop in 1:00:12.5
• 7. Steve Fisher Rad Racing Nw / Hagens Berman in 1:01:05.4
• 8. Richard McClung Hagens-Berman Llp Cycling in 1:02:02.2
• 9. Westley Richards Lenovo in 1:02:12.7
• 10. Nicholas J Berry Mighty Cx in 1:02:22.5
• 11. Ian Mackie Beneroya Research Institute in 1:02:25.0
• 12. Aaron Bradford Onsite Ultrasound/endoro in 1:02:30.9
• 13. Kyle McGilvray Old Town Bicycles in 1:03:48.5
• 14. Steven Williams Recycled Cycles in 1:04:10.8
• 15. Carl Hulit Recycled Cycles in 1:04:51.9
• 16. Craig Fowler Ubrdo.com in 1:05:05.8
• 17. Christopher Hill Cucina Fresca in 1:05:46.8
• 18. Aaron Mickels Beneroya Research Institute in 1:06:02.1
• 19. Joe Brennan Hagens Berman Llp in 1:06:23.9
• 20. Glenn Soja Cucina Fresca in 1:06:37.3
• 21. Landon Erickson Cucina Fresca in 1:06:42.8
• 22. Gabe Watson Rad Racing Nw in 1:07:41.5
• 23. Dylan VanWeeldam Yakima Bike Vigilantes in 1:01:17.2
• 24. Andrew Vosberg Double Check/scott’s in 1:01:30.6
• 25. Logan Owen Redline Bicycles in TimeN/A
• 26. Chris Parrish Hagens Berman Llp in TimeN/A
• 27. Jason Williams Cucina Fresca in TimeN/A
• 28. Jiri Senkirik Beneroya Research Institute in TimeN/A

Women’s results | ( Men’s results )

• 1. Kristi Berg Redline Bicycles in 0:45:35.9
• 2. Jenni Gaertner Riverstone Cda in 0:46:05.4
• 3. Beth Lyndon-Griffith Hagens Berman in 0:46:54.1
• 4. Jadine Riley Team Group Health in 0:47:14.0
• 5. Ann Knapp Kona in 0:47:52.9
• 6. Nicola Mann in 0:48:40.1
• 7. Jodi Connolly Blue Rooster/sports Medicine Clinic in 0:49:43.6
• 8. Lee Smith Team Group Health in 0:41:39.7
• 9. Anne Love Ubrdo in 0:43:37.0
• 10. Hope Chamberline Escapados in 0:45:29.8

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