) Dylan Reeves grabbed enough of the doubled points on offer at the series final to clinch sole possession of third overall in masters 40-49 category. Congrats to Dylan for a persistent season: points in 6 out of 7 races, all 7th or higher place.
It was perfect cyclocross weather: lots of mud, but bright sunshine and temps warm enough for shorts. The course at Beban Park created by Peter McCaffery's mid island velo group, had pavement, gravel, single track, a bmx track, greasy off camber hairpins on grass, the longest sandpit of the year at 100+ m, and a piece through a horse barn. Oh yeah, and nanaimo bar, beer and fireball handups. And lots of heckling at the hurdles ("You tried hard, Lister" ouch.).
Pook's was the final of 12 podiums, real and virtual* for Tripleshotters yesterday. (*Ok, I made up podiums for riders in the top 3 in their age group in this event or the series, even if the organizers didn't actually offer that distinction: I claim reporter's license
.)First off were beginner men, with 12 year old Ethan Pauly jumping off the line into second place for the first lap, a significant accomplishment against a field of 27 ranging from 9-59 yrs. Ethan faded a bit, but only to 8th, but first u13. Cameron Paul and Lachlan Fraser were 11th and 16th, 2nd and 3rd u13. Thomas Hill and Sage Parikh rounded out the TS team placings in 21, and 23, out of 27 riders.
There is no series standing for age groups below intermediate and master, but Ethan, Lockie and Cam would have been top three if there had. And series organizer Normon Thibault announced yesterday that next year will have separate age group series standings. Likely the system will see kids race in their ability group (beginner, intermediate, etc), but score points in their age group standing. A good system to ride where you're comfortable, but get credit for your age.
In Beginner women, Rachel Carey stormed off the line getting a 20 metre lead by the first corner and growing that lead to the finish, 45 seconds clear of 2nd.
In intermediate men, new Oak Bay High rider Jay Lamoureux did his first sanctioned cross race. He rode really well mid pack until a piece of wire got caught in his his derailleur and pretty much demolished it, so he had to run it in. Jay did his first cross ride on Liam's bike three weeks ago, immediately put his road bike up for sale. He negotiated a sweet deal with local national triathlon team chiropractor Rob Hasegawa, to swap it for a dura ace salso con crosso. Podium for guts starting in intermediate vs beginner and running most of the lap with a busted derailleur.
Intermediate women saw Alex and Brenna 12th and 13th, second and third juniors in the intermediate field. Alex crashed and dropped her chain and came back to challenge the junior leader, and Brenna had a slow start, but came back within 45 seconds of Alex. Brenna ended the series 16th overall, Alex, 19th, 3rd and 6th junior overall. Other TS'rs included Joanna Fox 19th out of 22, and 22 out of 40 in the series, Vanessa Service 20th overall, and Liz Brown (15) 30th overall.
Other masters yesterday included Rob Grant in 37th in masters, yours truly 42, James Pauly 44, on the day, ending the series, 69th, 64th, and 50th respectively. Other TSrs in the series were Ty Bellevie 77, Sylvan Smyth, Norm Marcy =85th.
Jenn and Glen finished 8th and 9th in the open women's series standings.
(Other Tripleshotters rode, like Paul Christopher, but they don't keep standings in the beginner category. Please post any errors or omissions.)
Major thanks to series organizer Normon Thibault, results folks Hilary and Steve Grant, IT whizes Roland and Katie Rabien, and the host clubs in Cumberland, Nanaimo, Victoria, Port Alberni and Ladysmith.
For anyone interested in riding, this quote on the Island Cross facebook page says it all:
Halldór Örn Gunnarsson
Thanks everyone for a great season.
I'm constantly blown away by how friendly and inviting the Cross on the rock series is. It's a great community we have here.
also,
I have some Descente leg warmers that I grabbed by accident at the Nationals...Size med.
thirdly,
Who's going to Bend?
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