Bay Area Super Prestige Brings Night Racing Back to Sierra Point

Scott Chapin, left, and Aaron Bradford negotiate the barriers. © Kevin White

by Kevin White

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — Lights cut through the darkness at Sierra Point on Saturday for the final events in the second of the Bay Area Super Prestige Cyclocross series.

Sierra Point Night Cyclocross brings out the crowds and the added element of nighttime racing ensured a party atmosphere. Groups huddled together under the floodlights on some of the course’s hills to get the best vantage and the most heckling opportunities. Along with cheers and the occasional dollar bill up for grabs, dares from the crowd of “big air!” were responded to as some of the racers practiced their jumping skills on a particularly well-suited dirt mound. Even a saddle made its way on to the course as a not-so-perfect landing resulted in the detachment of a rather critical component.

Bay Area Super Prestige Cyclocross © Kevin White

“I love the night racing, it’s always a great vibe,” said Aaron Bradford (Bay Area 101-Rock Lobster). “People are out here having a good time and that’s what American cyclocross is all about.”

In the elite men’s race, Bay Area 101-Rock Lobster was in good position as Aaron Bradford and Scott Chapin worked together in the first half to gain a noticeable lead on the competition. Chapin, however, racing on a singlespeed to get ready for the 2011 Singlespeed Cyclocross Word Championships (SSCXWC), was still feeling the remnants of a brief illness and could not hold on in the final laps when Bradford decided it was time to up the game.

Bay Area Super Prestige Cyclocross © Kevin White

“It was good racing with Aaron. I could tell maybe on the third lap that I was barely hanging on … It was just a matter of whenever he wanted to hit the gas and take off,” said Chapin.

Despite the competition closing in, it was a one-two finish for Bay Area 101-Rock Lobster. Rounding off the top five were Krishna Dole (Sheila Moon) followed by Anastasio Flores Jr. (California Giant Strawberry-Specialized Cycling Team) and Jim Hewett (Summit Cycles).

Karen Brems (Team Rambuski Law) took the top spot in the elite women’s race, moving up on the podium after placing third in the series opener. Unlike Team Rambuski Law’s top three lockdown in the first series event at Candlestick Park, the number two spot on Saturday went to Sarah Bamberger (Rat Ballaz). Ellen Sherrill (Bike Station Aptos) placed third, nudging out Kathleen Hannon (Freewheel-Hunter Cycles), who came out strong early in the race but slipped back in the latter half of the race. Gina Hall (California Giant Strawberry-Specialized Cycling Team) finished a strong fifth.

Bay Area Super Prestige Cyclocross © Kevin White

Staff and volunteers braved a late Friday storm to set up the event ensuring the race was a break from the usual early season Northern California loose and dusty course conditions. Clear skies earlier in the day hinted that the ground could possibly dry up for the later races but cool weather and a mostly overcast afternoon kept the moisture on the ground. “With the rain that we got yesterday, all the corners were nice. The grass was slippery. There was mud,” noted Chapin. “This course tonight was the best it’s been since I’ve done this race.”

Elite Men

Elite Women

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