Craig and Butler Repeat in Griffith Park UCI Day 2

Chris Horner leads a chase group ©Michael 53-12

Los Angeles, CA – Race two of the Southern California UCI weekend in Griffith Park was much of the same, with brake control and cornering, according to Kona’s Ryan Trebon. The course was much faster for day two and had a lot more flow to it, but there was still a lot of loose technical turns that were slamming racers down like old school Jesse (the Body) Ventura. The time change was a nice addition since riders had an extra hour to rest from the course beating them up on day one. And, the races filled in even more for day two from the early morning Junior races and throughout the day’s fields.

Elite Women:

While Sue Butler (Hudz-Subaru) battled a little more with her teammate on day one, it was all Butler from the start for day two. Butler led out the first lap and continued her charge to victory. The race behind was similar to day one as her teammate Kathy Sherwin (Hudz-Subaru) chased and held off others to solo in 10 seconds off Butler for second. Barb Howe (Ibis and The Danger Twins) was moved up a spot on day two, passing Devon Haskel (Bike Station Aptos) on the second lap to put herself in third, where she stayed strong until the end. In fourth it was Haskel one spot back from her finish on day one, followed by Coryn Rivera (Peanut Butter & Co. twenty-12), the strongest of the SoCal riders, who completed the top five in the women’s field.

Elite Men:

It was Ryan Trebon (Kona) again from the start as he did not mess around with the dust clouds and traffic in the first half of lap one. Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air) followed again and held the second position for the first half of the race. Behind Taberlay it was young Jeremy Ferguson (Cal-Giant Specialized) and another U23 rider, Zach McDonald (Rapha-Focus), who were hungry to be on the podium.

After two laps Troy Wells (Clif Bar) was on his way up with the previous day’s winner Adam Craig (Giant Bicycles) in tow, and Ferguson dropped back. Chris Jones (Rapha-Focus) was there in the mix and eventually moved up to pass his teammate McDonald. Taberlay began to fade and let off a bit as Jones and Craig continued to gain on Trebon. With five laps to go, Craig made his move passing Jones to put himself in second position. Then with four to go, again Craig used his fast, smooth descending skills to attack Trebon and take the lead. Craig held the lead for three laps, taking his second win of the Southern California UCI weekend. Trebon cruised in for another solid finish, taking second, followed by Jones. Taberlay, while dropping back a little, was able to hold on for another fourth place finish, and McDonald was in fifth and again the strongest U23.

This was the last of the UCI races for the 2010 season in Southern California but there was a great showing of riders and support for both races. Companies like Focus Bikes, H2O Overdrive and Shimano deserve a big thank you for helping support race promoter Dorothy Wong and the SoCal UCI race weekends and series. Next up is more of the SoCal Cross Series as it goes to Long Beach, CA.

Full Results:

Women

Men