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Race Report: Cross Crusade #4 @ Johnson Farm

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B Witty

2002-10-29

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Another fine report by our resident 'Cross Crusade Scribe, Chris Bright.

Partial results can be found at bottom of report. Full results can be found

at www.crosscrusade.com <http://www.crosscrusade.com/>

NEWS RELEASE-For Immediate Distribution

Knapp, Grande Lead Kona/Kenwood Sweep at

Johnson Farm Round of River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series

Portland, Ore., October 29, 2002 - Seattle stalwarts Dale Knapp and Ann

Grande of the powerhouse Kona/Kenwood team swooped in to Johnson Farm and

snatched victories in the fourth round of the River City Bicycles 'Cross

Crusade Series on October 27, 2002. Both Knapp and Grande had something to

prove on the most technical and hilly course of the Oregon-based series.

The Johnson Farm Round is undoubtedly the most popular round of the 'Cross

Crusade as it features the annual Halloween Festival of 'Cross. Riders are

encouraged to race in costumes, with more than half taking up the challenge,

and the 2.9-kilometer, hillside course is decorated with jack-o-lanterns and

a 'haunted shed' featuring a smoke machine. The organizers raised the bar

with a new feature, the "Disco Under," a deep trench that competitors ran

down and up and later crossed on a wooden bridge. Owing to recent dry

weather, the track was dusty and loose, which required careful riding in

order to climb and descend efficiently.

Knapp Shows Who's Boss

The eight-lap Category A Men's Race got off to a flying start as the field

stormed away from the start line and up a long, dirt road. Outside of the

first ten riders, the field was enshrouded in a blinding, choking dust

cloud. Out of the gate, the Kona/Kenwood team flexed its muscles with

Knapp, Barry Wicks and Erik Tonkin driving the pace. The Trek/VW/Bike

Gallery trio was also enmeshed in an intra-team tussle as Shannon Skerritt,

Derl Miller and road-racing standout Doug Ollerenshaw chased to stay in

contact.

By the second lap, Wicks was on the front followed by Knapp, with Tonkin

dropping off the pace slightly. Wicks, a strong favorite at the start given

his mountain-biking exploits and his reputation as a strong bike handler and

climber, looked to be forcing the issue. However, Knapp was tenacious and

was glued to Wicks' wheel.

At the halfway point, Tonkin was falling further behind and was under threat

from Skerritt. He opted for a bike change on lap four and rejoined behind

his Trek/VW/Bike Gallery rival. For the next two laps, Skerritt held Tonkin

at bay.

At the front, Knapp hit the accelerator on the power climbs in the first

half of the course, which put Wicks in trouble. With three to go, the two

teammates were separated by two four seconds with the gap doubling over the

next lap. Meanwhile, Tonkin had gotten back on terms with Skerritt and

retook the advantage in the battle for third step on the podium. Further

back, Miller was quickly being reeled in for fifth by Mark King (Sunnyside

Sports).

On the final lap, Knapp held on and crossed the line with an emphatic salute

and a 25-second gap to his teammate. After having disappointing outings at

the two UCI events held in the Pacific Northwest on the previous weekend,

Knapp's confidence got a boost as he became the season's first two-time

winner in the 'Cross Crusade.

Tonkin pressed hard on the last lap to take third ahead of Skerritt. King

put 12 seconds into Miller to secure fifth and show that he is knocking on

the door of being a contender for the podium.

Grande and Mazza Duel for Win

Following last week's UCI-sanctioned round, the Category A Women's field was

filled with the series contenders with the addition of 2001 World's

participant Grande who is steadily building her form following a nagging

back injury. Right out of the gate, Suzanne King (Sunnyside Sports) made

her best start of the year and led the pack up the first climb for in the

five lap race.

By the end of the first lap, the field had sorted itself out and race-long

duels were crystallizing. Rhonda Mazza (Team S&M/Vanilla), the current

series leader, was out in front with Grande in hot pursuit 8 seconds back.

Then two women with pro mountain biking credentials, Amy Hunter-Dillinger

(Lakeside/River's Edge) and Alice Pennington (Trek/VW/Bike Gallery), came

storming through followed by Kristi Berg (Bicycle Centers Racing) and Karen

Kenlan (Sunnyside Sports). King had dropped out of the top ten.

For the next three laps, Grande was not able to make up any ground Mazza.

The Team S&M/Vanilla leader was holding the Northwest's 'Queen of 'Cross' at

bay by eight seconds. Third-placed Pennington, looking like Madonna in her

'True Blue' years, continued to battle it out with Hunter-Dillinger.

Sensing that time was running out, Grande surged to catch Mazza as the two

took the bell for a final lap showdown. Likewise, Pennington and

Hunter-Dillinger were facing a similar prospect, followed by the lone Berg

and the trio of Kenlan, Becky Walter (Nike/Logie Velo) and the resurgent

King.

Kona/Kenwood's Grande had measured her efforts well and crossed the line

with 10 seconds in hand over Mazza. The win is an ominous sign for national

'cross scene that Grande is back and building her fitness for a later in the

season. Pennington secured third by five seconds over Hunter-Dillinger, who

had her best 'cross result of the season. Berg paced herself to fifth and

King made a strong comeback for sixth.

The fifth round of the River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series moves south

to Wilsonville's Memorial Park for a new venue. The course is expected to

be fast, smooth and wide open which should keep the competition for the

series lead fast and furious.

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

<http://www.crosscrusade.com> .

River City Bicycles 2002 Cross Crusade Round 4

Johnson Farm, Forest Grove, Oregon

October 27, 2002

Top 20 Elite Men:

1. Dale Knapp, Kona/Kenwood

2. Barry Wicks, Kona/Kenwood

3. Erik Tonkin, Kona/Kenwood

4. Shannon Skerritt, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

5. Mark King, Sunnyside Sports

6. Derl Miller, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

7. Jon Myers, Team S&M

8. Shane Beers, Vision Cyclery

9. Doug Ollerenshaw, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

10. Rich Cramer, Presto Velo

11. Brody Anderson, River City Bicycles

12. Steven Williams, Recycled Cycles

13. Mike Schindler, Sunnyside Sports

14. Zac Houghton, Presto Velo

15. John McCaffrey, Presto Velo

16. Chris Brandt, Collins

17. Omer Kem, Team O

18. John Gorman, Sunnyside Sports

19. Mark Matson, Gentle Lovers

20. Sean Garvin, GS Camerati

Top 10 Elite Women:

1. Ann Grande, Kona/Kenwood

2. Rhonda Mazza, Team S & M/ Vanilla

3. Alice Pennington, Trek/VW/Bike Galley

4. Amy Hunter-Dillinger, Lakeside/River's Edge

5. Kristi Berg, Bicycle Centers Racing

6. Suzanne King, Sunnyside Sports

7. Karen Kenlan, Sunnyside Sports

8. Becky Walter, Nike/Logie Velo

9. Marjon Marik, River City Bicycles

10. Emily Babcock, Gentle Lovers

Full Results @ www.crosscrusade.com

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Another fine report by our resident 'Cross Crusade Scribe, Chris Bright. Partial results can be found at bottom of report. Full results can be found at <A HREF="http://www.crosscrusade.com/">www.crosscrusade.com</A>

 

NEWS RELEASE-For Immediate Distribution 

Knapp, Grande Lead Kona/Kenwood Sweep at 

Johnson Farm Round of River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series

Portland, Ore., October 29, 2002 - Seattle stalwarts Dale Knapp and Ann Grande of the powerhouse Kona/Kenwood team swooped in to Johnson Farm and snatched victories in the fourth round of the River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series on October 27, 2002. Both Knapp and Grande had something to prove on the most technical and hilly course of the Oregon-based series.

The Johnson Farm Round is undoubtedly the most popular round of the 'Cross Crusade as it features the annual Halloween Festival of 'Cross. Riders are encouraged to race in costumes, with more than half taking up the challenge, and the 2.9-kilometer, hillside course is decorated with jack-o-lanterns and a 'haunted shed' featuring a smoke machine. The organizers raised the bar with a new feature, the "Disco Under," a deep trench that competitors ran down and up and later crossed on a wooden bridge. Owing to recent dry weather, the track was dusty and loose, which required careful riding in order to climb and descend efficiently.

Knapp Shows Who's Boss

The eight-lap Category A Men's Race got off to a flying start as the field stormed away from the start line and up a long, dirt road. Outside of the first ten riders, the field was enshrouded in a blinding, choking dust cloud. Out of the gate, the Kona/Kenwood team flexed its muscles with Knapp, Barry Wicks and Erik Tonkin driving the pace. The Trek/VW/Bike Gallery trio was also enmeshed in an intra-team tussle as Shannon Skerritt, Derl Miller and road-racing standout Doug Ollerenshaw chased to stay in contact.

By the second lap, Wicks was on the front followed by Knapp, with Tonkin dropping off the pace slightly. Wicks, a strong favorite at the start given his mountain-biking exploits and his reputation as a strong bike handler and climber, looked to be forcing the issue. However, Knapp was tenacious and was glued to Wicks' wheel.

At the halfway point, Tonkin was falling further behind and was under threat from Skerritt. He opted for a bike change on lap four and rejoined behind his Trek/VW/Bike Gallery rival. For the next two laps, Skerritt held Tonkin at bay.

At the front, Knapp hit the accelerator on the power climbs in the first half of the course, which put Wicks in trouble. With three to go, the two teammates were separated by two four seconds with the gap doubling over the next lap. Meanwhile, Tonkin had gotten back on terms with Skerritt and retook the advantage in the battle for third step on the podium. Further back, Miller was quickly being reeled in for fifth by Mark King (Sunnyside Sports). 

On the final lap, Knapp held on and crossed the line with an emphatic salute and a 25-second gap to his teammate. After having disappointing outings at the two UCI events held in the Pacific Northwest on the previous weekend, Knapp's confidence got a boost as he became the season's first two-time winner in the 'Cross Crusade. 

Tonkin pressed hard on the last lap to take third ahead of Skerritt. King put 12 seconds into Miller to secure fifth and show that he is knocking on the door of being a contender for the podium.

Grande and Mazza Duel for Win

Following last week's UCI-sanctioned round, the Category A Women's field was filled with the series contenders with the addition of 2001 World's participant Grande who is steadily building her form following a nagging back injury. Right out of the gate, Suzanne King (Sunnyside Sports) made her best start of the year and led the pack up the first climb for in the five lap race.

By the end of the first lap, the field had sorted itself out and race-long duels were crystallizing. Rhonda Mazza (Team S&M/Vanilla), the current series leader, was out in front with Grande in hot pursuit 8 seconds back. Then two women with pro mountain biking credentials, Amy Hunter-Dillinger (Lakeside/River's Edge) and Alice Pennington (Trek/VW/Bike Gallery), came storming through followed by Kristi Berg (Bicycle Centers Racing) and Karen Kenlan (Sunnyside Sports). King had dropped out of the top ten.

For the next three laps, Grande was not able to make up any ground Mazza. The Team S&M/Vanilla leader was holding the Northwest's 'Queen of 'Cross' at bay by eight seconds. Third-placed Pennington, looking like Madonna in her 'True Blue' years, continued to battle it out with Hunter-Dillinger.

Sensing that time was running out, Grande surged to catch Mazza as the two took the bell for a final lap showdown. Likewise, Pennington and Hunter-Dillinger were facing a similar prospect, followed by the lone Berg and the trio of Kenlan, Becky Walter (Nike/Logie Velo) and the resurgent King.

Kona/Kenwood's Grande had measured her efforts well and crossed the line with 10 seconds in hand over Mazza. The win is an ominous sign for national 'cross scene that Grande is back and building her fitness for a later in the season. Pennington secured third by five seconds over Hunter-Dillinger, who had her best 'cross result of the season. Berg paced herself to fifth and King made a strong comeback for sixth.

The fifth round of the River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series moves south to Wilsonville's Memorial Park for a new venue. The course is expected to be fast, smooth and wide open which should keep the competition for the series lead fast and furious.

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 <A HREF="http://www.crosscrusade.com">www.crosscrusade.com</A>. 

River City Bicycles 2002 Cross Crusade Round 4

Johnson Farm, Forest Grove, Oregon

October 27, 2002

Top 20 Elite Men:

1. Dale Knapp, Kona/Kenwood

 2. Barry Wicks, Kona/Kenwood

 3. Erik Tonkin, Kona/Kenwood

 4. Shannon Skerritt, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

 5. Mark King, Sunnyside Sports

 6. Derl Miller, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

 7. Jon Myers, Team S&M

 8. Shane Beers, Vision Cyclery

 9. Doug Ollerenshaw, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery

 10. Rich Cramer, Presto Velo

 11. Brody Anderson, River City Bicycles

 12. Steven Williams, Recycled Cycles

13. Mike Schindler, Sunnyside Sports 

14. Zac Houghton, Presto Velo 

15. John McCaffrey, Presto Velo

16. Chris Brandt, Collins 

17. Omer Kem, Team O 

18. John Gorman, Sunnyside Sports 

19. Mark Matson, Gentle Lovers 

20. Sean Garvin, GS Camerati 

 

Top 10 Elite Women:

1. Ann Grande, Kona/Kenwood 

2. Rhonda Mazza, Team S & M/ Vanilla 

3. Alice Pennington, Trek/VW/Bike Galley 

4. Amy Hunter-Dillinger, Lakeside/River's Edge 

5. Kristi Berg, Bicycle Centers Racing 

6. Suzanne King, Sunnyside Sports 

7. Karen Kenlan, Sunnyside Sports 

8. Becky Walter, Nike/Logie Velo 

9. Marjon Marik, River City Bicycles 

10. Emily Babcock, Gentle Lovers

Full Results @ www.crosscrusade.com 

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