November 13/99 4:44 am - Redden Second in Chicago

Posted by Editor on 11/13/99
 

Redden Second in Chicago

We just received a report from Chris Redden in Chicago at the SuperCup 'Cross race. He was pleased to report to us that Canadian cyclo-cross champion Chrissy Redden (Ritchey-Yahoo!) has just finished second to Anne Grande in the U.S. national series women's 'cross race today. Carmen Richardson was third.

The temperature is a "balmy 70 degrees", says Chris. "Not 'cross weather at all". The race is right downtown in Chicago, with large crowds and lots of cowbells. The course is very fast, with no climb at all. The only real impediment to the riders is barricades, set up in clusters to cut down on bunny hopping.

The women (approximately 30 starters) raced for 45 minutes, with the lead group being whittled down to 7 by the end of the first lap (of 8). The group stayed together until the 5th lap when Jen Dial crashed in the barricades, and then in the 6th lap Richardson went down hard, taking Grande with her. Chrissy and Kathy Riggert got away at this point, but Grande was able to bridge up before the end of the 7th lap.

Grande and Chrissy then dropped Riggert and rode together until the final set of barricades, about 100 metres from the finish line. On this set of 6 barricades (called, appropriately, 'the 6-pack") Grande was just that little bit faster, coming out slightly ahead and maintaining her lead in the final 50 metres of sprinting on pavement. Richardson came in on her own in third.

The men's race is just starting, and Chris will report back after. However, he says that the field is "huge, it is going to be a very tactical race". Chris also reports seeing at least one Canadian in the field - Espoir Chris McNeil. Stay tuned.