Michigan Cyclocross: Albaugh Stomps and Ehrlich Surges Late to Win Bloomer CX in Rochester

by Daniel Bannink

Bloomer Park, home of the International Velodrome in Rochester, MI. saw racing of the autumnal variety at the 2017 Bloomer CX p/b KLM/Cold Stone: Race #3 of the 5 race MICX Series presented by Bike Law Michigan. With temperatures in the mid-40s and a gentle soak of rain the night before, the course was firmly sated with just a bit of slick in spots.

Instead of spinning a lap on the famous wooden track in Paris-Roubaix fashion, racers were treated to negotiations of the steep banks of earth supporting the outside of the oval. Set up in Superprestige-style, the course boasted sections of flowing, wide, forested singletrack, tight grassy chicanes, enough off-camber to tempt keeping a foot out and a few gnarly run-ups that were left chewed under-foot to a muddy bisque by the end of the day.

A young rider tackles a muddy run-up. photo: Bob Bruce

Elite Men’s winner Scotty Albaugh (3T/Q+M – Waterford, MI) made his move early and never looked in danger of losing the top podium spot. Moving deftly through the curves and so often out of his saddle powering out of corners, Albaugh seemed a class of his own. Just over a minute back was a hard-charging Rick Wetherald (Athletes on Track – Wyandotte, MI) in second, followed by Chad Wells (Petoskey, MI) rounding out the podium steps.

Elite Women’s racing saw a tighter challenge to winner Emily Ehrlich (Garden City, MI), who seemed to find her flow after the first few laps, eventually passing early race leader and second place finisher Valerie Hyrman (Hagerty Cycling Team – Traverse City, MI) in the last ten minutes. Victoria Cane (Kalamazoo Bicycle Club – Kalamazoo, MI) stomped the challenging course to claim the bronze medal position.

The conditions and course created a fun cyclocross experience for all levels. photo: Bob Bruce

JB Hancock (the pride of the Alma Grand Prix of CX) and Mad Anthony’s own Mr. David Palan kept the crowd engaged from the PA system all day with the call.

The Bike Law Michigan MICX Race Series continues on Nov. 11 for race #4 with the annual Mad Anthony CX at the Historic Fort Wayne, an Urban Ruin on the South Side of Detroit, its ramparts defending the banks of the Detroit River. Truly one of the coolest cyclocross venues in the country.

The series concludes with race #5 on Nov. 18 with the Advantage Benefits Cyclocross in Rockford, MI.

Full results: usacycling.org/

BloomerCX: facebook.com/bloomercx/

MICX p/b Bike Law Michigan Series: facebook.com/michigancxseries/

Women's Results: 2017 Bloomer CX

Men's Results: 2017 Bloomer CX