A full Category 4 field gets underway at Sunrise Park. © SnowyMountain Photography
by Kelly Clarke
The fifth race of the Chicago Cyclocross Series (CCC), ABD Sunrise Park – hosted by Athletes By Design Cycle Club, is a power course with jaunts through wood-chipped forest sections. Many call Sunrise Park a ‘roadie’s course’ for it’s relative flatness and power sections, but the locally infamous Heckle Hill and numerous turns allow racers with mountain-biking skills to excel. This year’s event at Sunrise Park featured a kids course for those too young to race in the junior categories, increased payouts with first lap primes, local food and unseasonable t-shirt weather.
Danielle Arman (Saint Charles, IL) celebrated the second day of her honeymoon with win in the Women’s 1/2/3 race as her new husband Alex cheers her on. © SnowyMountain Photography
Danielle Arman (Tenspeed Hero) had a slow start in the Elite Women’s race, but took outside lines to get around other racers. When series leader, Kelli Richter (PSIMET Racing), slid out in a corner, Arman took this opportunity to ride as hard as she could and gain the lead. She was able to maintain the lead by focusing on executing corners well and not braking. This was Arman’s first victory in the CCC this year. It was also her first race as ‘Danielle Arman’, not ‘Danielle Smith’, as she got married two days prior (Congratulations!). Sydney Guagliardo (Verdigris-Village CX) finished 21 seconds behind Arman for second, with Maria Larkin (Chicago Cuttin Crew) hot on her heels for third.
Russ Kuryk (Chicago, IL) leads Gerrit Sinclair (Bloomington, IL) over a log barrier. © SnowyMountain Photography
Joseph Maloney (KS Energy Services / Team Wisconsin) visited again from North of the cheddar curtain, seeking a third CCC victory in the Elite Men’s race. Mike Phillips (Heritage Race Club), familiar with Maloney’s abilities on a mountain bike from the Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS), put in a huge effort to stick to Maloney like glue. Phillips stayed with Maloney as he took and held the lead, but was unable to overtake him at the line. Maloney sealed his undefeated status once again, and Phillips took home his best finish in this year’s series to date. There was a cut throat battle between Brian Conant (The Pony Shop) and Maloney’s teammate, William Hausdoerffer, for third. Conant had a better jump and earned the third place step on the podium.
Joseph Maloney (Milwaukee, WI) went off the front for his 3rd ChiCrossCup victory of the season in the Men’s Pro 1/2/3 race. © SnowyMountain Photography
CCC series title sponsor, The Pony Shop, held on to the top spot of the overall team competition with many podiums in the juniors and masters fields. Hopefully some clever costumes won’t slow them down at next week’s Halloween-friendly race, Campton Cross, hosted by Bicycle Heaven and ROK Coaching. Learn more about Campton Cross and The Chicago Cyclocross Cup series at chicrosscup.com
