Berg and Swanson take final race and series in Seattle SCX finale

By LeRoi Smith

Kristi Berg (Redline Bicycles) put an exclamation point on her perfect SCX season and Toby Swanson (Benaroya Research Institute) added a finals victory to his slim points lead to take the Elite Men’s title.

Icing On Berg’s Cake

From the start, Berg rode like she needed the win. In fact, she needed only to finish to claim her series victory. But she was not about to let up now, with a trip to Bend in the near future. At the end of the first lap, the gaps had formed already; but they were not unassailable. Berg off the front; Beth Lyndon-Griffith (Hagens-Berman) chasing hard; and Ann Knapp (Kona) a close third. Over the next few laps Knapp reeled in, and passed, Lyndon-Griffith; but Berg extended her lead. The last few laps Knapp did begin to close the gap as she has been doing late the in past couple of races; but she was unable to make up the distance and had to settle for second. Lyndon-Griffith maintained her gap on teammate Elizabeth Marzolf for the final podium spot.

For the series, the top of the podium was never really in doubt, with Berg winning every race. Strong and consistent finishes by Jadine Riley (Team Group Health) locked the second podium spot for her. The battle for third came down to the final race with Ann Knapp edging out Beth Lyndon-Griffith.

Swanson Brings it Home

With Zach McDonald (Stevens/Classic Cycles) off to Europe, the series came down to a winner take all three-way showdown. For all intents and purposes the final race finishing order would determine the series finish order among Steven Fisher (Rad Racing NW – Hagens Berman), Logan Wetzel (Benaroya Research Institute) and Toby Swanson (Benaroya Research Institute). Swanson came into the final race with a slim points lead; but no victories on the year. Perhaps that was weighing on his mind at the start because he was off like a shot from the get-go. Setting a blistering pace, Swanson literally, and figuratively, never looked back as he led wire to wire. Riding like a scalded cat, Swanson built a commanding minute and a half lead by the finish. Meanwhile, the early chase was left to Fisher and Logan Owen (Redline Bicycles) with Swanson’s teammate, Wetzel along for the ride. The chase eventually proved too much for the two and after Swanson’s lead was unassailable, the good teammate was able to take a shot for himself. After leaving his chase companions Wetzel was able to build a lead of almost a minute before the finish to claim second on the day and the series. Fisher outlasted Owen to round out the podium.

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