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





Wells and Hall Earn Gutsy Wins at Cannondale/PDX International Cyclo-Cross

Classic in Portland



Portland, Ore., October 19, 2002 - U.S. National Champion Todd Wells

(Mongoose/Hyundai) and Gina Hall (Team Clif Bar) stormed to convincing

victories at today's UCI 1.3 Cannondale/PDX International Cyclo-Cross

Classic in Portland, Ore.

The growing popularity of cyclo-cross in the Pacific Northwest was evident

as more than 400 racers took the line throughout the day. Undoubtedly, the

sunny, 65-degree temperatures helped convince many to strap on their cleats

as well.

The Cannondale/PDX International Cyclo-Cross Classic was contested on a

classic Belgian-style course in the grass fields surrounding the Portland

International Raceway track featuring wide-open power sections interspersed

with off-camber turns and run-ups. The tough 1.9-mile course required

racers to keep the power on for most of the lap, including key features such

as ten 180-degree turns, a plateau concrete barrier dubbed the 'monolith'

and a tricky 'tear-drop' section that dropped down and climbed back up the

face of a steep embankment.



Wells Overcomes Mechanical and Sundt to Take Victory

The deep talent in the Elite Men's Race showed the growing importance of

racking up UCI points toward selection for the U.S. Worlds team. On the

line were Wells, Jonny Sundt (K2), Team Clif Bar's Jackson Stewart, Andy

Jacques-Maynes and Dave Wyandt, The Spokesman Bicycles/Bullion Stil's Ben

Jacques-Maynes and Justin Robinson. Finally, Pacific Northwest powerhouse

team Kona/Kenwood brought Dale Knapp, Bart Bowen, Eric Tonkin and Barry

Wicks.

In the early laps, the 65-strong field seemed to be fighting a battle of

attrition. In the very first corner the combination of congestion and a

transition from asphalt to gravel took down several riders, including

contender Ben Jacques-Maynes. Then Kona/Kenwood caught a double whammy when

Erik Tonkin's chain snapped and Dale Knapp experienced a lengthy delay from

a mechanical that would have him chasing his way into contention all race.

Sundt and Wells were putting on a bunny-hopping clinic which allowed them to

ride every inch of the course, much to the crowd's delight. During the

first lap, a group of five secured a small gap. The group was led by Sundt,

followed by Wells, Stewart, Andy Jacques-Maynes and Robinson. The pace was

remarkable with sub-7 minute laps putting the average pace at nearly 17

m.p.h.

Over the next laps, Sundt and Wells put in hard pulls at the front.

However, Wells' race was about to take a dramatic turn with little more than

four to go. On the most challenging set of double barriers set on a steep

uphill, Wells' chain jammed during a bunny-hop. Sundt rode away as Wells

was stationary for 20 seconds and dropped to fifth. He benefited from the

ensuing shot of adrenaline to get back to third only 15 seconds back by the

line.

With the bit firmly between his teeth, Wells used the many opportunities to

measure Sundt's lead at the turnarounds, to take a second here and there. A

lap later, he was glued to Sundt's wheel again, and a widening gap back to

Stewart.

At the 'tear-drop' run-up, Wells made the decisive move. He jumped over the

top and immediately got five seconds on Sundt. He stayed on the drops and

continued to pull away until he was able to throw his arms in the air at the

finish. Sundt followed him chased by Stewart, Andy Jacques-Maynes and

Robinson. Ben Jacques-Maynes recovered for sixth followed by Bart

Gillespie (Biogen), Knapp and Wyandt. Local favorite Wicks rounded out the

top ten.



Hall's Strategy Pays Off

A strong field of 50 women took the whistle for the 40-minute Elite Women's

race. A frenetic start saw Kona/Kenwood's Jeannette Nussbaum and Team

Spine's Rachel Lloyd had strong opening laps to establish a gap from the

pack. The pair worked smoothly together and looked to be a serious threat

to run away and make it a two-women race.

Team Clif Bar's Gina Hall, a member of the 2002 U.S. Cyclocross Worlds team,

had a different idea. On the third lap, Hall made contact with the leaders

to form the group that would ultimately decide the race's outcome.

Christine Vardaros (SallySpicer.com) was pushing hard in fourth to make

contact, followed by Josie Beggs (Bolla/Bianchi) and Kimberly Vandersyde

(Bicycle Warehouse).

The battle for the 'Cross Crusade series was being waged by local riders

Rhonda Mazza (Team S&M/Vanilla) in seventh, Suzanne King (Sunnyside Sports),

an ever-improving Marjon Marik (River City Bicycles) and Alice Pennington

(Trek/VW/Bike Gallery) who rounded out the top 10.

The lap board counted down from three to two to one and it was clear that it

would be a three-woman showdown on the bell lap. Vardaros continued to

stalk the leaders that kept the pressure on the front, closing to within 12

seconds at one point on the last lap.

The 'Nussbaum-Lloyd-Hall Express' stayed nose-to-tail on the wide-open

sections of the course, waiting for the decisive pair of run-ups and the

final barriers. Nussbaum took the first shot on the first run-up,

accelerating into the lead. However, Lloyd and Hall never allowed a gap to

open. Into the 'tear-drop' run-up, Nussbaum and Lloyd were continuing to be

aggressive while Hall tucked in behind. Lloyd ducked inside but ran wide

into Nussbaum on the steep section.

Meanwhile, Hall had saved herself for the final act of the play. She went

immediately to the front which gave her the advantage around lapped riders.

Into a tight 180-degree corner, Lloyd came back on Hall but it was short

lived as Hall accelerated through the last double barrier and big-ringed it

all the way toward the line. Lloyd and Nussbaum continued to charge too and

in what looked to be a road field sprint, Hall came out on top a half-bike

in front of Lloyd with Nussbaum another half-length back.

After the race, Hall explained her strategy: "I just tried to sit on as much

as possible and get a good rest. I knew they would go for it on the last

run-up and might tangle. It paid off and I attacked to take the lead and

just kept suffering right through to the line. I'm shooting for the Worlds

team again, so these points are valuable."



About the 'Cross Crusade Series

Now in its 10th season, the River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series is an

Oregon-based grassroots effort that has grown into the largest cyclocross

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 www.crosscrusade.com.



Cannondale/PDX International Cyclo-Cross Classic (UCI 1.3)

River City Bicycles 2002 Cross Crusade Round 3

Portland International Raceway, Portland, Oregon

October 19, 2002



Top 20 Elite Men:

1. Todd Wells, Mongoose/Hyundai

2. Jonny Sundt, K2 Bike

3. Jackson Stewart, Team Clif Bar

4. Andy Jacques-Maynes, Team Clif Bar

5. Justin Robinson, The Spokesman Bicycles/Bullion Stil

6. Benjamin Jacques-Maynes, The Spokesman Bicycles/Bullion Stil

7. Bart Gillespie, Biogen

8. Dale Knapp, Kona/Kenwood

9. David Wyandt, Team Clif Bar

10. Barry Wicks, Kona/Kenwood

11. Shannon Skerritt, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

12. Bart Bowen, Kona/Kenwood

13. Derl Miller, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

14. Mark King, Sunnyside Sports

15. Alex Andel, Ragnarek

16. John Leonard, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

17. Jeff Caton, Napa Valley Velo

18. Brent Prenzlow, Celo Pacific Cannondale

19. Gary Thompson, Bicycling Wearhouse

20. Richard McClung, Broadmark







Top 20 Elite Women:

1. Gina Hall, Team Clif Bar

2. Rachel Lloyd, Team Spine Santa Cruz

3. Jeannette Nussbaum, Kona/Kenwood

4. Christine Vardaros, SallySpicer.com

5. Josie Beggs, Bolla/Bianchi

6. Kimberly Vandersyde, Bicycle Warehouse

7. Rhonda Mazza, Team S&M/Vanilla

8. Suzanne King, Sunnyside Sports

9. Marjon Marik, River City Bicycles

10. Karen Kenlen Sunnyside

11. Dorothy Wong, Kelly Bike Company

12. Alice Pennington, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

13. Stella Carey, Kelly Bike Company

14. Marg Fedyna, Trek Alberta

15. Hollie McGovern, Rad Racing NW

16. Lora Heckman, Laurel St. Racing

17. Joanne Stevens, Sunnyside Sports

18. Lauren Constantini, Sycip

19. Emily Babcock, Gentle Lovers

20. Julie Wilson, Disco Velo



Full Results @ www.crosscrusade.com



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