by Brian Hancock
As race #1 of 5 of the Bike Law Michigan MICX Series, the Avalon Pontoons Alma Grand Prix of Cyclocross kicked off the cyclocross season with a bang on Saturday. Racers from the Midwest and Canada were greeted on race day to temps in the low 50s and the soothing sounds of race announcers Scot Herrmann and (Mr.) David Palan aboard a luxury Avalon Pontoons boat. This year race promoter JB Hancock reversed the course direction, once again giving racers something to think about as they traversed the semi-permanent course on city property in Alma, Michigan.
In the Elite Men’s race, Scotty Albough (3T / Q+M) charged off the front with Jeff Weinert and Earl Hillaker left chasing behind. Albough pushed to almost a full minute lead entering into one of the final corners before the bell lap when his front wheel suffered a small puncture. Fortunately for Albough, his tubeless set up was solid, and he was able to narrowly hold off a hard charging Weinert to take his first ever Alma GP winner’s jersey.
Racing was tight at times at the Alma GP. photo: Middy Matthews, arbormove.com
The Elite Women’s race was even more exciting, with Amanda Schaap (Speed Merchants) outsprinting Melissa Seymour (Cadieux Bicycle Club) to successfully defend her right to the top step atop the podium.
Unlike last year’s deluge of rain, this year sunny skies and light winds welcomed racers, with friends and family alike enjoying the beautiful fall day.
Full results are available here:
https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?year=2017&id=1581
Race photos, videos, and other musings are available here:
www.Facebook.com/AlmaGrandPrixOfCyclocross
Follow along with @TheAlmaGP on Twitter and Instagram.
