B Witty
NEWS RELEASE-For Immediate Distribution
Contact Information:
Brad Ross/ Brian Witty- Promoters Chris Bright, Media Coordinator
Cyclo-Cross Crusade Series Cyclo-Cross Crusade Series
Telephone: (503) 246-7338 Telephone: (503) 697-5375
E-mail: brad-@prodigy.net E-mail: cbri-@pixelworks.com
bri-@tmioregon.com
Kona/Kenwood Team Kicks Off 2002 'Cross Crusade with a Clinic in Both Men's
and Women's Fields
(Record field of than 356 riders highlights season opener of
largest cyclo-cross series in the U.S.)
Portland, Ore., October 8, 2002 -The Seattle-based Kona/Kenwood Team
came, saw and conquered by winning the premier events for both men and women
in the season opener of the 2002 River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series
on October 6 at the Alpenrose Dairy in Portland. Dale Knapp led home
teammates Barry Wicks and Erik Tonkin for a dominant Kona/Kenwood 1-2-3 in
the Category A Men's race while Jeanette Nussbaum wrapped up the sweep by
taking the Category A Women's race.
The morning started with heavy, crisp autumn under cloudy skies which
gradually gave way to bright sunshine as the elite racers lined up. Prior
to the showcase races, the largest fields in series history, with more than
350 participants, lined up at the Alpenrose Dairy. This venue has
established itself as the signature event for Northwest 'cross featuring a
course that twisted in and around the Alpenrose Velodrome with the finish
line on the infield grass which favored powerful riders
Knapps' Two Hard Laps
The Northwest 'cross community showed up in force as evidenced by the
deep start list in the Category A Men's race. Right from the gun, the
Kona/Kenwood threesome of veterans Knapp and Tonkin and up-and-coming Wicks
were on the front followed closely by Steve Crosier (Redline) and
Trek/VW/Bike Gallery teammates Shannon Skerritt and Derl Miller. Those six
riders immediately established a gap on the field which was at 10 seconds by
the time they entered the velodrome for the first time.
2001 'Cross Crusade Champion Tonkin was the workhorse in the opening
laps as he stayed at the front pouring on the pace as his teammates sat on
his wheel. The strategy worked as Miller drifted off the back and Crosier
cracked, thinning the lead group to just the Kona/Kenwood trio and Skerritt.
On the second time through the velodrome, the hundreds of fans in the
bleachers witnessed what will go down as one of the most spectacular sights
in U.S. 'cross this year. Upon entering the velodrome, Tonkin put it in the
big ring and led Knapp and Wicks in a team time trial on Alpenrose's
42-degree banking. It was simultaneously awe-inspiring and surreal.
On the third of eight laps, 38-year-old veteran Knapp stormed up a
steep run-up and Wicks, fresh from racing at the World Mountain Bike
Championships in Austria, gave chase. For the next two laps, Wicks worked
hard to stay in contact. Knapp bobbled slightly on a tricky transition from
the infield grass onto the track apron which forced him to turn around in
order to not cut the course.
With three to go, Wicks was in front and it was now down to a two-man
race to the finish, with Tonkin, Skerritt and Miller in a procession filling
out the top five. "With two to go, I said to myself: 'Whoever goes now will
win. This is going to be two hard laps.' Then I just went for it,"
recounted Knapp after the race.
Although Wicks put up a valiant resistance, Knapp's horsepower was too
much for Wicks who is more suited to technical, hilly courses. The 1998
U.S. Cyclo-Cross Champion crossed the line first for the second week in a
row, following his win at the Bikefit-Microsoft Seattle Cyclo-cross round at
SeaTac, Wash. The top five held station over the last few laps to finish
with Tonkin in third, followed by Skerritt and Miller.
No Doubt for Nussbaum
With a field of nearly 50 women in three classes taking the start, the
spectators on hand would get non-stop action in the six-lap race. The
Category A field included Nussbaum, 2001 series winner Rhonda Mazza (Team
S&M), Josie Beggs (Bolla/Bianchi), who had a race in Seattle last week, and
professional mountain bikers Alice Pennington (Trek/VW/Bike Gallery) and Amy
Hunter-Dillinger (Lakeside/River's Edge).
The flat course was to Nussbaum's liking as she jumped from the
starter's whistle. By the time she had covered half a lap to reach the
finish line, she had already put eight seconds between herself and the pack.
The chasers were led by Mazza, with Beggs, Pennington, Hunter-Dillinger and
Suzanne King (Sunnyside) in tow.
With Nussbaum showing no sign of weakening, the action was for the
rest of the podium. Mazza was in a solid second, but the effort was showing
in her face on this course that suits bigger riders. Pennington was next on
the second lap, but was starting to labor as she tried to stay in contact
with Mazza.
Beggs was pushing hard - perhaps too hard - as she lost her front
wheel as she transitioned onto the apron of the track and went down on the
concrete. She was up quickly, losing little time, and her bike and body
appeared in good shape. In fact, the spill seemed to steel the
Bolla/Bianchi rider's resolve and she put her head down to reel in
Pennington. On the run-up, Beggs put in a big effort to get past
Pennington.
At the bell, Nussbaum was clear of Mazza by more than one minute.
Beggs was not making in-roads on Mazza who was ahead by more than 30
seconds. Suzanne King put in a workman-like effort to chase down the fading
Pennington. In fact, Hunter-Dillinger saw an opening and closed a 15-second
gap to 10 meters at the finish in the final lap, but the platinum-blond
Trek/VW/Bike Gallery rider dug deep to hold onto fifth place.
The second round of the eight-race 'Cross Crusade series heads to Pier
Park in North Portland on October 13. This popular course criss-crosses a
small ravine which offers the racers several exciting rollercoaster rides
each lap.
About the 'Cross Crusade Series
Now in its 10th season, the River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series
is a Oregon-based grassroots effort that has grown into the largest
cyclo-cross series in North America. The 2002 'Cross Crusade has more than
$20,002 of prize money up for grabs during the eight races, including two
UCI sanctioned events for the first time.
The 'Cross Crusade series emphasizes fun and participation which is
evidenced by the expansive prize list that ranges from cash and bike-related
merchandise to six-packs of local microbrews and bottles of Oregon-grown
wines. This level of generosity is made possible by the unparalleled support
of the series' title sponsor River City Bicycles and presenting sponsors
Cannondale, Saturn/RussAuto, MacTarnahan's and Sellwood Cycle Repair. Learn
more about 'Cross Crusade at http://www.crosscrusade.com.
River City Bicycles 2002 Cross Crusade Round 1
Alpenrose Dairy, Portland, Oregon
October 6, 2002
Top 20 Category A Men:
1. Dale Knapp, Kona/Kenwood
2. Barry Wicks, Kona/Kenwood
3. Erik Tonkin, Kona/Kenwood
4. Shannon Skerritt, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery
5. Derl Miller, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery
6. Ryan Iddings?Rad Racing
7. Jon Meyers, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery
8. David Fleischauer,?Rad Racing
9. Rich Cramer,?Presto Velo
10. Mark King?
11. Robert Campbell,?Rad Racing
12. Joseph Brown,?Kona Bikes
13. Shane Beers,?Vision Cyclery SF
14. Brady Anderson,?River City?
15. Chad Swanson
16. Richard McClung,?Broadmark Capital?
17. Chris Brandt,?Collins
18. Michael Sylvester,?Bike Gallery
19. Damian Schmitt,?Sunnyside
20. John Leonard, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery
Top 10 Category A Women:
1. Jeanette Nussbaum,?Kona/Kenwood
2. Rhonda Mazza,?Team S&M/ Vanilla
3. Josie Beggs, Bolla/Bianchi
4. Suzanne King, Sunnyside
5. Alice Pennington, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery
6. Amy Hunter-Dillinger,?Lakeside/ River's Edge
7. Karen Kenlen?Sunnyside
8. Wanda Howlett?
9. Marjon Marik,?River City Bicycles
10. Emily Babcock,?Gentle Lovers
Full Results @ www.crosscrusade.com
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