The final installment of the 2016 MFG Cyclocross season was held at its traditional venue, Seattle’s Woodland Park. The park, which is smack dab in the middle of the city, always features a fun, technical course that weaves through variation portions of the park providing run ups, logs for hoping, and of course the HODALA! corner, an area of the park that is always beset by snow flurries – regardless of the weather. The venue crowd favorite, even if it doesn’t always fit ones’ skill set.
Early race action at the 2016 Woodland Park MFG Series Finale. © Geoffrey Crofoot
The 10:20 races received “The Treatment”. Al Dimond took the win in the Beginner Men’s field, while Ben Carpenter and Kevin Durdle took second and third. Thomas Schulz (Olympia Orthopedic Associates), Mikael Christensen (Egencia) and Dan Scott (Mayhem Racing), held podium spots in the Cat 4 Men’s 45+ field. Audi Racing’s Christopher Wahl took the win in the Clydesdale race with Eric Evanson (Kirkland Bicycle) and Dan Arildson (Slalom Consulting). In the 60+ Men’s field it was Erik Brooks (Egenica), Kevin Raymond (Bike Sale), and Martin Rand (Audi) who took the podium steps.
Beer hand ups were replaced by beer hang downs at the 2016 Woodlan Park MFG Series Finale. © Geoffrey Crofoot
The Women’s 1/2 race was shaken up by the inclusion of Bellingham native Courtenay McFaddden who stopped by Woodland Park after a stint of east coast UCI racing. McFadden used the skills that brought her a podium spot on day two of the Derby Cup last weekend.
Post race smiles and laughs abound at the 2016 Woodland Park MFG Series Finale. © Geoffrey Crofoot
Series leader Tricia Fleischer (Monument Wheel Works) fought hard, and worked her way through the tail end of the Men’s race with the hopes of catching the charging McFadden, but McFadden would prove elusive. She took the win by a little under three minutes. Monica Lloyd finished third, a little over a minute behind. Fleisher however, sealed the series overall, finishing the 2016 MFG series as one of the most dominant racers, in any category.
Women’s podium from the 2016 Woodland Park MFG Series Finale. © Geoffrey Crofoot
The men’s field offered much closer racing, with Spencer Paxson (Kona Bicycles), Stephen Ettinger (Ridebiker Alliance p/b Focus Bikes) and Steve Fisher (McGovern Cycles – FSA CX) pushing the pace in the early laps.
Mud and flat turns challenged riders on the slick course. © Geoffrey Crofoot
The trio wound and drifted their way through technical course, each one closely following the other. At the midway point Ettinger hit the deck exiting the apex of the HODALA! corner. The crash could have been disastrous for Ettinger, but the rider recovered almost as quickly as he went down, and easily made up for the bobble. It would be Fisher who eventually fell off the pace, leaving Paxson and Ettinger to battle it out. The pair stayed close, but it was Paxson who hit the final straight first, giving him the jump on Ettinger. Joseph Maloney would finish third.
Hopping the barriers at the 2016 Woodlan Park MFG Series Finale. © Geoffrey Crofoot
Thus, closes out the 2016 MFG Cyclocross season. We’ll be back next year with more racing, more hand ups, and perhaps a different team will find their name emblazoned on the course barriers. See you next year.
Men’s podium from the 2016 Woodland Park MFG Series Finale. © Geoffrey Crofoot
photo credit: Geoffrey Crofoot (www.crofootphoto.com)
Series Winners
Cat 1/2 Men
1 Steve Fisher – McGovern Cycles – FSA CX
2 Rory Jack – Recycled Cycles Racing
3 Stephen Ettinger – RideBikerAlliance P/B Focus Bikes
Cat 1/2 Women
1 Tricia Fleischer -Monument Wheelworks
2 Monica Lloyd – Olympia Orthoapedic Associates
3 – Kenda Super Hagens Berman Society Consulting
Cat 1/2 Men 35+
1 Steve Westover – Diamondback
2 Barney Gill – Mayhem Racing
3 Brian Bressler – Crosshare Racing
Cat 1/2 Men 45+
1 Craig Undem – Cycle U
2 David Stonich – Alki Rubicon
3 Chris Rodde – Taco Time
Men 55+
1 Kevin Johnson – Egencia
2 Rodney Brandon – Taco Time Northwest
3 Roy Colven
Men 60+
1 Martin Rand
2 Barry Johnson
3 Woody Cox – Dyna Racing
Cat 1/2 Women 40+
1 Jodi Connolly – Black Sheep Velo
2 Jodi Duquette – Alki Rubicon
3 Cherish Sutull – Alki Rubicon
Clydesdale – 200 lbs +
1 Sage Vann – Dyna Racing
2 Erik Hokanson – LWV/Broadmark Capital
3 David Mcintosh
Single Speed Men
1 Brian Myers – Hodala!
2 Brad Nelson Team – Racepace
3 Joey Mullan – 333 Fab CX Factory Team
Single Speed Women
1 Lea Stralka – Black Sheep Velo
2 Anne-Marije Rook – NOMI Hand Up Squad
3 Hidi Cramer – PCP Racing
Cat 3 Men
1 Brian Debronsky – Egencia
2 Nick D Stroud
3 Zack Hewell – Cycle U
Cat 3 Women
1 Megan Fay – Tenspeed Hero
2 Hayden Gizinski – Northwest Women’s Cyclocross Project
3 Liz Nettles Team – Group Health
Cat 3 Men 35+
1 Greg Heath – Hodala!
2 Adam Worobec – SCCA/Starbucks Cycling
3 Sid Wray – Major Taylor Racing
Cat 3 Men 45+
1 Brian Wong – EV Pb Fortius
2 John Herzog – Hup United
3 Duncan Mcintosh – Hagens Berman Society Consulting
Cat 3/4 Women 40+
1 Andrea Leuschke – Black Sheep Velo
2 Cary P Lassen – Dyna Racing
3 Jane Matera – Alki Rubicon
Cat 4 Men
1 Brandon Sprouse
2 Ricky Lyman
3 Ehrin Bulfin – Egencia
Cat 4 Women
1 Bryna Fahrner – Mayhem Racing
2 Wendy Leber Malice
3 Tracey Gramenz
Cat 4 Men 35+
1 Dan Warren – Major Taylor Racing
2 Thomas Horan – Mcleod Construction/Snohomish Bike Racin
3 Wes Wahlin
Cat 4 Men 45+
1 Dan Scott – Mayhem
2 Russ Morgenson
3 Ron Sielinski – Therapeutic Associates
Jr Boys 2001/2002
1 Walker Busken – Rad Racing NW
2 Connor Gizinski – Cycle U
3 Tommy Shapiro
Jr Boys 2003/2004
1 Matthew Basaldua – Mt. Si
2 Parker Casazza – Cycle U
3 Jack Harris – Cycle U
Jr Boys 2005-2007
1 Kai Wallis – Rad Racing NW
2 Joe Spranger – Rad Racing NW
3 Nathan Sabol – Mcleod/Snohomish Bike Racing
Jr Girls 2001/2002
1 Juliann Vander Haegen – Rad Racing NW
2 Addison Leckrone
3 Ran Cin Sung – Major Taylor Project
Jr Girls 2003/2004
1 Poppy Knorr – Black Sheep Velo
2 Bronwynn Gar – Aouy – Rad Racing NW
3 AnnalIse Rosser – Rad Racing NW
Jr Girls 2005-2007
Place Name Team name
1 Ryan Connolly – Black Sheep Velo
2 Betsy Stonich – Alki Rubicon
3 Monica Ballas – Epoch Medical
3 Indigo Newby-House
Jr Boys – 2008/2009
1 Tomas McIntosh – Hagens Berman Society Consulting
2 Will Stralka – Black Sheep Velo
3 Truman Atkins – Hodala!
Jr Girls – 2008/2009
1 Keaghlan Robinson – Rad Racing NW
2 Sophie Matera – Alki Rubicon
3 Fiona Ballas – Epoch Medical
