Mansfield Hollow CX / CT State Championships of CX

Several of the team's CX racer's made the trip up to the North-East corner of the state for the always awesome Mansfield Hollow Race. The course, as per usual, was long and fast.  Lots of sustained-pedaling grass section.  There were two sets of barriers and another log. A shore-side sand pit was not rideable by the very end of the day. In the earlier races there was a run up that a few riders could ride up.

Cat 4/5

The first race of the day was the 4/5 with Dillon, Stephen and Sean. After a call up then quick partial loop to re-line up, Dillon had a first row spot, Stephen was a few rows back and Sean was about midpack in the field of approx 50. Dillon got a fantastic start and Stephen was not too far behind.  Stephen continued to work his way forward through the pack. Sean dropped his chain in the sand section and then proceeded to  "hang my toe on the first barrier doing my best superman impression".  Dillon started dropping back through the race and Stephen steadily moved forward. Sean also slowly made his way through traffic. Stephen ended up in 10th and got a sweet bag of energy chews. I was in 21st and Dillon was not far back from me. I also managed to crash at the finish line after sprinting around a rider on the line.

 

35+

Next up was Joe in the 35+. Joe was looking to turn the ship around after what he felt was a somewhat lacking Night Weasels performance. Right off the gun, two Expo riders quickly went off the front and were never to be caught again.  Joe K made his way up to 3rd wheel quickly. Through out the race Joe managed to hop the barriers and hold on for 5th place.As an unexpected bonus Joe was the top CT rider 40+ and brought home the USAC Gold Medal.

 

Joe, making his up to the leaders
early on in the 35+ race

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cat 3/4

Stephen and Sean did the double header and Dave was also in the field.  After a frantic start Dave was about 10th wheel into he first turn. Stephen was doing well mid pack and I was bringing up the rear of the pack. Capitalizing on a couple of crashes the leaders had and an ability to ride the run-up consistently, Dave pulled out the Win, big congrats to him! He also took home The State Champion Gold. Stephen and Sean toughed it out to the end and ended up in 32nd while I was in 35th, cooked from the double header.

Two state titles, a win, a 5th and a 10th. Well done everyone.