LATEST CROSS FEVER NEWS!!!

-Sunday, January 18th, 2009 -- El Dorado Park in Long Beach saw its first ever cyclocross race... rave reviews... exciting racing action... fun from start to finish!
-Starting in Bakersfield, Ken County then to Arroyo Grande, SLO County, Cross Fever Race #3 hit Long Beach & LA County!
-Cross Fever #4 Finale concludes in Orange County, this Sunday, 1/25!
-CX World Championship Celebration - Sunday, 2/1

Velo Allegro hosted its first ever CX race at El Dorado Park in the City of Long Beach last Sunday. The venue and course layout was one of the best this season. Designer, Jonathan Livesay created a magical route that wound its way through the beautiful lakeside park. The natural log jump was a fan favorite, and the demanding switchback climb to the Thule/Planet Bike double barrier run-up quickly swept racers back down the bumpy hillside and onto one of the numerous paved sections of the course allowing riders a chance to recover then pour it on into the numerous turns making for an overall super fun rollercoaster ride.

Cross Fever hit hard as racers came all the way from Fresno, San Diego and Santa Barbara to race the January 2009 SoCal 'Cross Fever Series. Fans were treated to an exciting 15-18 Jr. Men's race. The battle of the "Bens" unfolded as 'crosser, Ben Bertiger (CICLE) returning from injur y to challenge up and coming 'crosser, Ben Barthel (Echelon SB). Ben Bertiger pushed the pace while Barthel sat patiently waiting to make his move. Ben Barthel took the victory in one of the most exciting races of the day! Jacob Dodge (Team Vapor) found out he has 'Cross Fever traveling all the way from Fresno to compete and now leads the series finishing 3rd on the day, and has the highest overall point total!

Two of cycling’s best, multi-time cycling champion and SoCalCross Prestige Series winner,
Mike McMahon (Velocity) took on MTB multi-time champion, Brian Lopes (Oakley / Ibis) in the 35+ Men’s race. The two stayed together for the entire race despite Lopes showing off his "hopping" skills each lap over the Kool N Fit log while Mike McMahon even with his good ‘cross form over the log, had to play "catch up" which finally took its toll with Lopes taking the win in a dash to the line. Team Duke and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation was the proud sponsor of the 35+ races awarding Team Duke jerseys to everyone on the podium including new to 'cross track racer, John Allen (Velocity) taking the third podium spot in the men’s race.

In the women's 35+ race Dinorah Lawson (Celo Pacific) had a solid victory over Prestige Series Winner and rival, Robin MacDonald-Foley (Judgement Velo/Trek). Maria Fahie (Switchback Cyclery) finished in third and also won the "Support SoCalCross" drawing for a two-night stay at Warne r Springs Ranch in San Diego!

The Protech turnaround sent racers down into the CX Magazine jungle gym sand pit challenging riders all day long. Run it or ride it? Some ended up swimming it! Men's 3/4 'Cross Fever Series leader, John Van Dyke (Bike Religion) showed his power and riding skills negotiation the tricky 90 degree turn in the deep sand riding most of the time while extending his lead each lap for the win!

While winter was in full swing for most of the country, Southern California seemed to have an early summer reaching 80 degrees by mid-day. The dry and windy conditions added to the demands especially during the hour-long elite Men's race. Donny Carroll (DeWalt-Big Ring) with his smooth style and power dominated the race. Jason Lowetz (Bear Claw) returning from a long break from 'cross, training for the road season, grinded his way through the 60 minute race for a strong 2nd place finish. In the elite women's race, and full of ‘Cross Fever, Dot Wong (CICLE) took her form from the first two events in January led from the start - Sarah Kaufmann (Roaring Mouse) and Dot gapped the field after the first lap, but an unfortunate flat tire took Sarah out of the race. Susan Thompson (PAA) found her way into 2nd and Anna Wills (Triathletix) took third!

The Clif Kids race capped the day as eager racers got to the line and get their chance to race ‘cross! How fun it was to see the m carry their bikes and trikes over the kid-sized Voler barrier, then back on for the sprint finish. The victorious group included lots of new Team Chuweenie riders… team just for kids! Look for GU to lead them out next ‘cross season!

Cross Fever Results can be found at: www.CrossFever.org ; Series info at: www.SoCalCross.org

Next up is the Series Finale this Sunday, January 25th AND your LAST CHANCE (to) ‘CROSS!!! (at the Flying “B” Ranch - Cornerstone-Black Star RV Park & Picnic Area) Hosted by Rock N Road Cyclery and Team CICLE, this will be the first ever CX race at the Flying B Ranch. $1,500 PRIZE LIST! Cash Prizes to: Men 1/2/3, Women 1/2/3, Masters 35+ Men & Women and Single Speed!!! Free Kids Racing and Beginner’s Clinic. Demo bikes available for first timers and Juniors!

The course is 20% paved, 20% grass and 60% dirt. The start/finish is paved with a slight uphill to it. At the top of the climb a 180 right turn brings you to the first grass section. A left turn onto dirt takes you to what might be a slight run up for most of the riders. Across the top of the run up another right turn takes you down a 3 level corkscrew descent. A left turn takes you into the second grass section. A right turn onto dirt and another right turn on to the pavement brings you back to the start/finish. The course is approxim ately 2.5 km in length and are timed circuits.

PRE-REGISTER by Friday - 9:00pm (Pacific) for your chance to win! Each time you pre-Register at SportsbaseOnline.com you will be automatically entered in the drawing to win an Alpha Q Carbon Fork! (Race day registration is available - and opens at 8:00AM)

Bring a new rider to 'Cross on Sunday, go to the SoCalCross Booth and get one FREE ticket into our grand prize drawing which also includes our daily race drawing for a 2-night stay at Warner Springs Ranch!

Look for details on the season ending celebration and large screen viewing of the 2009 CX World Championships, Sunday 2/1. We will award the Baily O’Brien carbon/aluminum CX frame!
Then its 8 months until the next CX season!!!

This week's featured sponsor: Team DUKE is an athletic fundraising program unlike any other. You pick the sport. You pick the event. We’ll help you get geared up, enlist sponsors and meet your goals. And all of your hard work benefits the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, an organization that brings courage, strength and grit to the fight against cancer. Info at: www.TeamDuke.org