A BRIEF RECAP OF RACE 1....

Photo James Avery Cunliffe/Vail Mountaineer

Race 1 of Cult Cross 2009 had great support from racers and fans yesterday as the sun and spring temps had the course in near perf condition. The course went from frozen and a little lumpy in the morning, to slick in the corners and muddy through the middle of the race schedule and then tacky and super fast for the late races. We had a great vibe at the Eagle Fairgrounds. I tried to create a course that had a little bit for every type of racer. There were plenty of power sections, but also quite a few areas where speed had to be shut down for techy cornering before needing to power back up. Racers seemed to dig the course and the few that were able to ride to victory in their individual categories were as follows...

Men's Open

Chad Melis (Spot Brand) threw an impressive effort on day one and looked to be in mid season form as he basically blew the doors off the open field which included Darrin Cheek who finished 2nd, Brian Hutchison (Subaru-Vista) who earlier won the SS race, Bruce Hodgkins and Ryan McFarling (Mafia/PBR)

Women's Open
Lindsey Bishop (Mafia/PBR) dominated the women's open field as she put the hammer down from the start and was chased however futily by Megan Taylor riding for CoMotion Sports. Linda Wells finished third.

Men's 3's

This race was controlled at the front by Maifa/PBR racing with Courtney Gregory and Eric Hanzel leaving the pack, working together, and then sprinting for the line with Gregory taking the win. It was his first race back after jacking his thumb skiing this winter. Third went to Robert Vettch racing for Beaver Creek

Men's 4's

Andrew Wagner took the win in 4's race with Michael Scott finishing second. Paul Gorbold riding for Pedal Power fished third in what I believe was his first CX race. Welcome to the CX pain house Paul.

SS

Brian Hutchison of Subaru/Vista showed his stuff once again as the current Colorado State Single Speed CX Champion picked up where he left off last fall with a dominating victory catching all but one 35+ rider who started one minute in front of him. Greg Dalton was second with Matthew Pronovost, Moots Guy, finishing third.

35+

David Overstreet, racing for Spike Shooter absolutely killed it in the Men's 35 race. He jumped out front early on lap one and was never seen again. Matt Johnson finished second with David Burns(Mountain Pedaler) who was sporting his Cult Cross T-shirt, as usual, was third.

45+

Charlie Brown, shop owner of the Mountain Pedaler in Eagle where the post series gathering will be next Sunday beat out a very game Brian Dunn who was racing for the Great Divide Brewery team. Charlie wore Brian down with about two to go and pulled away for the win

65+

The ageless one Loren Hettinger showed and throwed and finshed with a smile at 68 years young, just an amazing athlete at his age, I mean cmon, CX at 68! I love it.

Women's 4's

Tara Picklo (Yeti's Grind) won the 4's race with Sue Bardsley finishing second

Juniors

The juniors race was clearly dominated by Ian McPherson (Flat Iron Flyers) followed by Maxx Chance and Aydon Chance also riding for the Flyers

Kids

Sam Brown (Mountain Pedaler) Crushed it