October 2/07 11:49 am - Escape Velocity GP of Cyclocross

Posted by Editor on 10/2/07
 

Escape Velocity GP of Cyclocross - Coquitlam, BC
Courtesy Escape Velocity

Approximately 100 racers took part in the second annual Escape Velocity Grand Prix of Cyclocross today (September 30th) in the heart of Coquitlam. The kids and C race took part under cloudy skies. A brief and intimidating shower greeted the A women and B men, but disappeared as quickly as it started, leaving just enough moisture to make the grassy technical course slightly more technical.

In the Men's C race, it was Mighty Rider's Joel Lemaire dominating with Kalle Karu second and Alex Cogger of Brake Bikes third. Perhaps even more impressive was the riding of 70's retro rider John Starcevic clearing the doubles on the BMX track!!

In the Women's C race, Lesley "Trivianni" Trivett opened up an early lead only to flat on the first lap. Although Trivianni had an incredibly quick wheel change, the mechanical allowed Céline Dennis to take over the lead, which she held strong to take the win. Stania Juriga of Chicks Cycling rounded out the top three.

In the highly contested Men's B race, Clayton Sansbury of Masi / Adobe again showed his domination of the field. Youngster up-and-comer Sebastien Sleep fought off Escape Velocity's own hard charging Duncan Steele for second. After the race Mr. Steele was quoted as saying "I would have won for sure if the stairs weren't so hard".

In the women's A race it was local legend Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain/Haywood) finishing first with Oak Bay Bikes Dawn Berg second and Jean Ann McKirdy (Local Ride) third.

In the Men's A race Danish National Champion Joachim Parbo (CCV Protek), enroute from UCI races down south, dropped by to test his mettle against the local talent. Also at the start line was Max Plaxton (Rocky Mountain/Haywood), back from a season on the international mountain bike circuit. A group of four formed early in the race, consisting of Parbo, Plaxton, Kevin Noiles (Norco) and Tyler Trace (Lazy Boy). Parbo and Plaxton quickly distanced themselves from Noiles and Trace. The battle for first came down between the power of Parbo on the straights and sand and the technical skills of Plaxton on the single track and BMX course.

Parbo would gap Plaxton through the sand, Plaxton would catch back through the single track and the BMX track. This battle would continue for many laps until the last lap where Plaxton gapped Parbo on the BMX track and barely held on at the line to take the win in the sprint finish. The race for third and fourth was also highly contested between Noiles and Trace, with Noiles dropping Trace early, and then Trace catching and dropping Noiles. In the end however, it was the technically savvy Noiles rounding off the podium and Trace coming fourth.

Escape Velocity would like to thank The City of Coquitlam for their kind support and Powerbar, Louis Garneau, Wenting's Cycle and La Bicicletta for their generosity.

Please stay tuned for our next race "Crossquitlam" on November 3, 2007.

A few pics found here:

flickr.com/photos/ttcopley/sets/72157602201997952/

Also, for fun, here's what happens when you get a DH rider (Danika Schroeter's boyfriend) riding a BMX section at a Cross race:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=69NwgJc0ZRw