Sunday, November 30, 2008

Stacey Davis, Womens CX4 Cyclocross State Champion

Alabama's state cyclocross championships took place at a new course under the lights in Anniston, AL. Our very own Stacey Davis, mashed the competition, and brought home the state championships in the women's CX4. The field was the most competitive to date. Stacey took control of the race early, never looking back. 3 was a charm for Stacey, pacing herself to her 3rd victory in as many weeks.



The guys on the other hand put up the good fight but could not match Stacey's victory. Larry, doubling up, finished in 4th in the Master Men's race, and put in a solid top 20 in the men's CX 3/4 race. Mike Herring also doubling up, finished 9th in the Master's race, and also put in a solid top 20 in the 3/4 race. Chris Leven rocked out with a 15th in the men's 3/4 race. Zach Davis finished 5th in the Juniors race. Lastly, the Diesel, had the dubious distinction of being the team's Lantern Rouge, pulling up the rear with a 20th place finish in the 4/5 race.

We apologize for the lack of race photo's. It is incredibly difficult, to ring a cowbell, hold your drink, hand out water, scream your head off, and take photo's. With 2 races to go, to team is in a dog fight for a top 5 finish in the team standings, and in bitter battles to stay in the top 10 in points in the Women's CX4, Juniors, Men's 4/5, and Men's 3/4. Check back for an update after the Montgomery Race at Fain Park.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Half way home.....



Nothing compares to racing at home. You get to sleep in. The walk back to the course was longer than the drive over. You get to have your family, friends, dogs, and other team members there to cheer you own. You get home earlier and it is just a more relaxed atmosphere.



The fall foliage made a beautiful back drop for a fast and intense race. This was the inaugural race at Heardmont Park, and by far the most technical that we have raced this year. It was a tight track with several tight switch backs, several dry creek bed crossings, a sand pit, and a Belgium inspired up hill spiced with barrier crossings. The difficulty of the course never allowed for big gaps in the races. You were always within sprinting distance of the racer in front of you, and there was always someone lurking behind you waiting to pounce and take your position.



The team had another very successful weekend of racing. Stacey Davis went back-to-back and won her second race in 2 weeks. Zach came home with a 4th place in the juniors race. Mike “Diesel” Garner came home in 10th, and Josh Powell coming out of his summer slumber came in 13th in the Men’s CX 4 race. Larry Stanley and Mike Herring put up the good fight in the Men’s CX 3 race coming in 15th and 21st respectively.



The team now gets a much deserved week off to rest, heal, and fix anything that they may have broken. The focus then changes to the State Championships under the lights in Anniston, November 22nd. The only thing that the team would love better than having all their fans out there cheering them onto victory would be the cyclocross weather that has been avoiding us all year.

Race Reports: Larry, Diesel,

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Spooktacular in Tuscaloosa

The team ventured down to Tuscaloosa this week for the aptly named Spooktacular Cyclo-Cross Race. With Halloween less than 48 hours departed, the course was still in it's costume, and handing out plenty of tricks, and one big treat for the team. We were treated to a tombstone barrier crossing, plenty of ghosts and goblins, spider webs, the occasional body part, our first steep run up of the year, a wall crossing, and tight twisty single track. The tricking started early on during the warm up laps when Zach flatted and Mike G. destroyed a chain guide. They exercised there demons by the time the racing started, and both of them finished without incident. Zach rode an awesome race and brought home a well deserved 3rd place finish in the Juniors race. Mike G. fought off a stomach bug and dehydration to finish 11th in the men's CX 3/4.
The next race tested the team as a whole. Larry and Chris both started fast with Larry leading into the first set of barriers. As the field began to string out, signs of the tricks the course was playing became evident. Flat tires, and lots of them. Larry was bit on the rear tire, Chris had a rear tire go down only to double flat on the next to last lap, and Mike Herring not wanting to be left out had a front tire flat. The flats ravaged the field. Mike G. and Zach manned the pits for what seemed to be a constant stream of CCR riders coming in. Both scavenged parts off of there own bikes to get the team back into the race. Larry's perseverance paid off with an 11th place finish. Mike Herring brought home a 14th place finish, and Chris rounded it off in 17th.
CCR's treat for the day came in the women's CX4 race. After being teased for riding her mountain bike instead of her cross bike, Stacey promptly went out and destroyed the women's CX4 field and won. Stacey navigated the course without a problem and made her victory look easy.
The team will be back in Birmingham this week racing at Herdmont Park. Come on out and cheer us on.

Reports: Larry, Diesel