Thursday, October 16, 2008

CycloCross Season Kicks Off at Avondale



The 2008 Alabama Cyclocross Series got under way Sunday at Avondale Park in Birmingham. The Avondale course according to most, is one of the most difficult in the series. It races around what used to be the Birmingham Zoo, and an amphitheater that hosted groups like the Allman Brothers in the 60's. The grueling course contained some very technical sections consisting of rocky decents, off camber turns, tight switch backs, cobble paths, and the stairs. The stairs are crazy hard. They are inconsistent from step to step and really test your mettle.



Team CCR sent 3 rookies and 3 veterans into the first race of the season. The first race of the day for CCR was the "C" race. This race was a combination of CAT 4/5 and Junior Classes, and also had all 3 of our rookies. After 30 mintues the dust settled and our 3 rookies were now veterans. Zach Davis brought home 3rd place in the Junior Class, Mike Garner brought home a 9th place in the 4/5, and Mike Herring battling through a list of mechanicals brought home a hard fought 17th in the 4/5 race. Stellar results from the rookies.



We then unleashed our veterans, who proceeded to build on the foundation laid by the rookies. The "B" race was made up of all the womens categories 1-5, and the mens Cat 3/4 race. After 45 minutes of mind blowing, soul searching pain, Stacey Davis brought home the best result of the day for CCR coming home 2nd in the Womens Cat 4 race. Larry Stanley followed up with a 9th place in the 3/4 and Chris Leven battling the mechanical gremlin that was in Mike Herrings bike finished 19th.



Four top 10's to kick off the last racing series of the season was an incredible effort. It is nice to have a little momentum going into the Prattville race.

Race Reports: Larry, Stacey, Chris, Diesel

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