Racers braved the cold in Georgia's Rome Winter 'Cross Series. © Trish Albert
ROME, GA – With the “snowmageddon” looming 12 hours away, Georgia ’crossers began their three-race quest for a state title. It was a very cold day at Lock and Dam Park, a park that is now covered with eight inches of snow and waiting for race #2 on January 16th. The course had just about every surface and because of its toughness, only one forced barrier dismount was used, near the spectator pavilion.
In early action, the Junior race saw Brandon Pruitt ride away from the field like he has done so many times in the past. The single-speed race stayed closer together as the single-geared racers groaned up the steep 100m wooded hill climb on the back side of the course. Eventually Alabama racer Mike Proffitt came out the winner. The women’s 4 field saw the emergence of up-and-coming talent Michele Zebrowitz, who took the win. In the Masters 45+ race, Greg “Farmer G” Schisla made it a coast-to-coast win by starting strong and never looking back.
The women’s 1/2/3 field displayed a nice cross-section of Southeastern talent. It was ultimately Kim Flynn, 2011 Division 2 US National Champion, taking the win in a solo effort off the front. In the men’s 1/2 race, mountain bike sensation Thomas Turner, fresh off a series championship in the Georgia Cross Series, continued his dominance by soloing from lap 1 and winning convincingly.
With eight inches of snow melt this weekend, race #2 is shaping up to be something altogether different.
