Long Beach Cyclocross Festival 2010...

Another weekend, another race in the Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross. The venue today was El Dorado Park in Long Beach. It was another typical southern California autumn day, sunny and warm, so warm that people were seeking out spots in the shade of the trees. The Long Beach course seems to be one that will knock your fillings out, I mean how many gophers does it take to make that many holes.


The Juniors were the first out today, early in the morning, too early for me. So, I unfortunately have no photos, other than podium shots. Mens 45+, 55+, singlespeed, and Womens single speed were out second. Link to photo album is here.  The Mens 45+ race was won by Bobby Langin, ahead of Michael Marckx and Todd Stephenson. The Mens 55+ was won by the ever dominant John Rubcic, ahead of Jon Miller and Joe Gallal. Nick Humphry took first spot in the Mens singlespeed race, followed by David Gibson and Scott Reeves. If he does not mind me saying, I knew Nick when he was a pre-teen on the Bicycle Doctor Ride in the early 1990s, and now here he is slaying in singlespeed, arguably the toughest category.

Bobby Langin

Mens 55+ podium finishers

Up next came a big field of Cat 4 men. The start had all the looks of a criterium or road race start as the riders thundered past on the pavement before hitting the dirt. In typical CX fashion they were soon all spread out. By the end of the day it was Jimmy O'Neal taking top spot on the podium, followed by Steve Clausse, Henry Hagenbuch, Matt Magnum and Andrew Hoyer. Click to view the cat 4 slideshow.

Steve Clausse leads over eventual winner Jimmy O'Neal early in the race.

Jimmy O'Neal negotiates a tight turn along the lake.

The cat 4 podium.

Next to the line following the 4s race were the men 35+ 1/2/3 racers and the men 35+ 3/4. In the world of competitive cycling these groups are regularly among the fasters races of the day, and today was no exception, as the field was quickly stretched apart. By the end of the race Brent Prenzlow was standing atop the podium in the 1/2/3 race, followed by Garnet Vertican and Ben Jones. Jeff Burcar won out for the 3/4 crown ahead of James Groos and Rey Deegan. Follow the link to the 35+ slideshow.

Garnet Vertican leads Brent Prenzlow first time through the steps.

The three top spots on the podium still together on the second lap.

By the time the elite's took the field there had been so many racers circling around that it seemed as thought there was a perpetual cloud of dust hanging in the air in certain areas. Up first were the elite women, many of them for the second time this day. About an hour later it was Allison Mann crossing the line first. Sharing podium spots with her were Dorothy Wong in second, and Annette Padilla, third. There are plenty of photos in the slideshow.

Finally, out came the mens elite field to finish up the day. The race was impressive, as was to be expected. When you have riders like Gary Douville, Sid Taberlay, Brian Lopes and Brent Prenzlow bunny-hopping barriers during warm-up laps you knew it would be. Stunts like that had people staking out the best photo spots early on. Lopes ended up top dog for the day, with Taberlay at 2nd and Brandon Gritters, 3rd. Rounding out the podium were Prenzlow in 4th and Douville in the 5th spot. Jump to the slideshow.

(l to r) Douville, Lopes, Taberlay

Douville ahead of Taberlay and Lopes.

All three rolled over the tree like it was nothing.

Finally, I had an unusual number of photos of racers for the Ritte van Vlaanderen team which turned out respectably, so I have given them their own mini-album here.

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