By Imelda March
Chicago temperatures finally hit the “crispy side” of things this past weekend. With it actually feeling like cross weather had finally arrived, crossers came out fresh and ready to tackle the newly redesigned Carpenter Park course. Jeff Provisor, owner of Main Street Bicycles and race director added two fast paved sections with a u-turn, and multiple twisty areas that kept racers with their thinking helmets on high alert.
This year Provisor combined his efforts with the Village of Carpentersville and created the OktoberCross Festival. Provisor told me that, he had approached the Village of Carpentersville for approval for the cross race at Carpenter Park with the addition of hosting a Beer Garden.
He explains that “I have been jealous of the race vibe they have on the coasts and in Europe, and dreamed of one day making our cross race more of a big community event.
As it turned out, the village was looking to expand its own Fall Festival and asked if we could combine events to create what is now called OktoberCross.”
Elite Men
The battle of the day was between Scott McLaughlin (Sram Factory Team) and Ben “where’s my UCI point” Popper (HRS Rock Lobster) who went head-to-head on this flat and somewhat technical course. In the end, Scott McLaughlin (Sram Factory Team) put in a surge and took the race. He was followed by Ben “where’s my UCI point” Popper (HRS Rock Lobster) in 2nd, Brian Conant (Pony Shop) in 3rd, Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop) in 4th with Kevin Klug (Killjoy) rounding out the podium.
Top Ten
1 Scott McLaughlin (SRAM Factory Team)
2 Ben Popper (HRS Rock Lobster)
3 Brian Conant (Pony Shop)
4 Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop)
5 Kevin Klug (Killjoy)
6 Christando Lombardo (Verdigris Custom Homes)
7 Matthew Stewart (Bicycle Heaven)
8 Aspen Gorry (Pony Shop)
9 Wayne Simon (Verdigris Custom Homes)
10 Brad Zoller (Unattached)
Elite Women
Rebecca Much (xXx Racing/AthletiCo), the current United States U23 TT Champion has been coming out to frolic while she prepares for her road campaign. She took the whole shot, stepped on the gas and kept it in high cruise control to the end. Seconds behind chasing, in 2nd place Debbie Dust (Verdigris Custom Homes) and her lethal companion June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes) taking 3rd place, followed by Holly Klug (Killjoy) in fourth place and Leah Sanda (Flatlandia) completes the top five spots.
Top Ten
1 Rebecca Much (xXx Racing Athletico)
2 Debbie Dust (Verdigris Custom Homes)
3 June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes)
4 Holly Klug (Killjoy Racing)
5 Leah Sanda (Flatlandia)
6 Jessica Hill (Trails End Cycling)
7 Debbie Pielet (Albertos)
8 Gina Kenny (ABD)
9 Emily Macdonald (xXx Racing Athletico)
10 Beth Christiansen (xXx Racing Athletico)
Upcoming Events
Racing continues with the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Race #5 on Sunday, October 26 in Bartlett, Illinois. Further information about the series can be found by visiting www.chicrosscup.com
Photos: Luke Seemann (first); Amy Dykema (second, third)
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