Smiling faces at Cross on the Rock. © Pro City Racing
by Dave Shishkoff
Farmer Bill in Port Alberni (on Vancouver Island in British Columbia) welcomed cyclists out to his farm for the fourth installment of the Cross on the Rock series. There was a forecast of torrential rain, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the 140 racers who made it out to the cyclocross race at the most westerly location ever in Canada.
The course was enjoyed by all, and even adored by some, who declared it the best race course ever. It featured gobs of mud, fields with giant marshmallows (with cheering kids on them!), and of course the barn was utilized. Farmer Bill and Farmer Billy Jr organized one to remember.
Jen Dosil (ProCity Racing) was the first to claim a first at this new location, winning in the Beginner Women’s field. The Beginner Men’s field was comprised mainly of 12-16yr old boys, with a few older fellows in there to boot, but 13-year-old Sam Ogden (VAC-ProCity) was the fastest of them all!
The Intermediate Women had series new-comer Carol Price from Revelstoke take home top honors, and claiming his first ever series win was Pelle Gustavs (Sooke Mountain Cycle) in the Intermediate Men. Ian Smith (MIVA) took his 3rd win in a row in the Masters Men field, and no doubt will be a force to be reckoned with at the Provincial Champs. Assuming they allow full-suspension mountain bikes!
The safe bet for the Expert Women was Dawn Anderson (Oak Bay Bikes), who’s taken on the spirit of Eddy Merckx, going to the front and never looking back. Ever. Chasing her, with an impressive effort was Janna Gillick (MIVA) and Glenowyn Carlson (Oak Bay Bikes) to round out the podium. The Expert Men’s field saw some less familiar faces at the top, with Cody Canning (Trek Red Truck) taking top honors, Kelly Gues t(Straight Up Cycles) finishing a minute back, and in his first podium appearance, Jamie Cameron (ProCity Racing) just behind in third.
A special mention goes out to MIVA (Mid Island Velo Association) who had 16 racers in the event, more representation than any other club, even when combined!
Race footage from Russell:
[youtube FqO09oJQXTg 580 380]
