Written by Kelly Clarke
Hopkins Park, the second race of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup (CCC) series, is a favorite among racers. Axletree and Robots Powered by Love built a fast and flowy course with a single track section and a flyover. One2Go Event Services was out tracking lap times and emailing results before some participants could even cool down.
The Chicago Cross Cup included a flyover last weekend. © Snowy Mountain
There were two golden tickets up for grabs in the single speed race. The top male and female racers received free entries to SSCXWC on October 24-25 in Louisville, KY. The Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships (SSCXWC) are taking place at the 2013 Cyclocross World Championship location, Eva Bandman Park. Lucas Seibel (Jus D’ Orange) and Sophia Robinson (Tenspeed Hero) earned the golden tickets for being the fastest racers with one gear.
Maria Larkin (Chicago Cuttin Crew) took the hole shot in the Elite Women’s race and dominated the first lap, but then Danielle Smith (Tenspeed Hero) took over with Emma Swartz (Team Wheel & Sprocket) hot on her wheel. Those two broke away and left Kelli Richter and Sarah Szefi (both of PSIMET Racing) strung out behind them. Swartz smartly rode Smith’s wheel in the final laps and sprinted for the win through a tacky and rutted straight away. With Emma Swartz from Wisconsin on the top step and Danielle Smith in the series leaders jersey in second, Sarah Szefi rounded out the podium.
Joseph Maloney was last weekend’s winner of the Chicago Cross Cup. © Snowy Mountain
The Elite Men’s race was dominated by no one until the final laps. Joseph Maloney (KS Energy Services Team Wisconsin), who had been staged in the last row, took off with three to go and David Reyes (Heritage Race Club) hung on until Maloney was able to forge a gap in the final lap on the flyover. Maloney finished with a 30 second lead. Behind Reyes was a tooth and nail fight for third between Mike Phillips (Heritage Race Club) and Michael Dutczak (South Chicago Wheelmen). Michael Dutczak won that battle and grabbed the final podium spot.
It was a cool fall day, but there was a convivial atmosphere. Joseph Maloney stuck around after winning the elite race to cheer on the Cat 4 and Cat 5 racers. Many kids participated in the smaller ‘kids cross course’, for those too young to race juniors. Series sponsor, The Pony Shop, had some hard earned podiums in the juniors and masters fields, entertaining the many spectators who came out to enjoy the day.
Racers ascended the flyover in tight groups to fight for first, and the obstacle proved to be a game changer. © Snowy Mountain
The CCC moves on to Dan Ryan Park on the south side of Chicago next week in the third stop of the series. For more information, visithttp://chicrosscup.com/.
