Carl Decker (Giant Bicycles) started the 2013 Raleigh Midsummer Night’s Cyclocross Race on Adam Craig’s SRAM Red hydraulic-disc brake prototype Giant TCX Advanced cyclocross bike, but after a half lap, jumped on his brand new Anthem 27.5″ (650b) dual suspension mountain bike.
Despite losing 15 seconds due to the bike swap, Decker clawed his way back due to his ability to ride the two cement staircases and bomb down the rocky, rutted downhills. With two to go, Decker hit the front and started to stretch out his lead, taking the victory at the third annual July cyclocross race.
Here’s a video of Decker on the last lap, expanding up his gap over Jonathan Page (Fuji Bikes / Competitive Cyclist) by riding the stairs. Needless to say, Page wasn’t too happy with Decker’s equipment choice because it gave him such an advantage (video interviews will be posted soon).
[youtube D4C-gEvZgDQ 590 430]
(The first racer in this video is getting lapped.)
