Brent Prenzlow at the front of Sunday’s lead group. © Philip Beckman/PB Creative
by Philip Beckman
Racing has its ups and downs. That tireless proverb/cliche was elegantly illustrated the first weekend of December at Hart Memorial Park near Bakersfield, Calif., during the SPYclocross Series finals. This new six-event, USA Cycling-sanctioned, SPY Optic-backed series concluded on arguably the most challenging course on the SoCal cyclocross circuit. The highs and lows of the layout, along with a 1.5 point factor awarded on the final day, brought out the highs and lows of the human race experience.
The weather and course conditions could not have been better, following several showers during the week preceding the event. But that did little to tame the numerous steep pitches that force even the strongest to shoulder their bikes and grunt up the sod staircases. This was especially true of the daunting “Hammer Time Hill,” Hart Park’s signature feature. The only time ‘cross fans in this part of the world see anything like it is during European web feeds.
Nicole Brandt toughed it out for runner-up in Elite Women. © Philip Beckman/PB Creative
Amanda Nauman (SDG/Bellwether/Krema Peanut Butter) must have been spending her training time on a Stairmaster and practicing bike dismounts/remounts, because she dominated Women’s Elite both days. Nauman led from wire to wire on Saturday, and then on Sunday, with the course mostly reversed in direction, made it a double. Saturday’s runner-up, Nicole Brandt (LaGrange/Michelob Ultra), gave Nauman a bit of concern on day two with a better jump off the starting grid, but by the end of the first of four laps it was Nauman in front and pulling away once again.
Finishing quietly in third in Elite Women both days was the veteran Christina Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross/Turner Bikes). This super-consistent 43-year-old came into Hart Park leading in points, and that’s how she left it. Although she didn’t win any of the events, she never finished lower than fourth either. Turner ended up with two championship jerseys, in fact, having captured the Women’s Singlespeed division as well.
The Elite Men’s lead group tackles Hammertime Hill on Saturday. © Philip Beckman/PB Creative
One of the strongest Elite Men’s fields of the entire 2014-15 SoCal season assembled at Hart Park on Saturday, no doubt drawn by the generous prize purse offered by SamBarn Promotions. It took three laps for the race to take shape, when a group of four established a gap at the front. Points leader Elliot Reinecke (Alternabike/Velo Hangar) was joined by Jason Siegle (SDG/Bellwether/Krema Peanut Butter), Victor Sheldon (SPY/Fullerton Bikes/Giant) and Frenchman Jean-Louis Bourdevaire (Blackstar Racing).
This quartet stayed together for the remaining four laps, and in a rare sprint finish it was Bourdevaire outkicking Sheldon, Reinecke and Siegle for the win. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) completed the top five half a minute later. Reinecke’s closest competitor in the points, Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road), had a troublesome day, finishing sixth and opening the door for a Reinecke championship.
Brandon Gritters had everything go his way on Sunday. © Philip Beckman/PB Creative
Sunday turned out to be one of the most dramatic race days of the year—to the detriment of the points leader. Local hero Gareth Feldstein (Famous Horsemen) went on a flyer at the whistle and built a substantial lead after two laps of nine. This blew the field apart early, but six riders were able to work together to keep Feldstein in sight: Prenzlow, Kyle Gritters (Rock N’ Road), Reinecke, Sheldon, Siegle and Brandon Gritters. Masters winner Philip Tintsman (SPY/MRI) was working hard to join the party, and eventually did. Saturday winner Bourdevaire was a no-show.
There was park-wide moan when Reinecke was seen running with his bike on the next lap, victim of a rear flat. At almost the same moment, leader and teammate Feldstein was stopped at the crest of Hammer Time with a dropped chain that was reluctant to realign, instantly losing all that he had worked for. This left six in contention with four chasing; Reinecke and Feldstein were among the latter.
A lap later Reinecke was hoofing it toward the pits once again, this time with a rolled front tire. A dropped chain in the waning laps would be the coups de grace for his championship hopes.
With four to go there were four left in the fight: Siegle, Prenzlow, and the two Gritters brothers. Sheldon was trying desperately to regain this lead group after running wide on an off-camber and getting tangled in the course tape. He would be unsuccessful.
Kyle Gritters fell off the pace with two to go, and a lap later Brandon Gritters put in a big surge just as the bell started clanging. Siegle and Prenzlow could not answer, and at the line it was Gritters by 16 seconds. The ageless Prenzlow was able to slip in ahead of Siegle, while Kyle Gritters and Sheldon held on to complete the top five. A disappointed but resigned Reinecke finally finished in eighth place.
Brandon Gritters had done it again.
Homeboy Gareth Feldstein won the Giant bike raffle. © Philip Beckman/PB Creative
The SPYclocross Series awarded numerous raffle prizes at the end of the day. Every time a rider entered a race throughout the series, a ticket with his or her name would be entered. Topping the awards were a complete Giant CX bike and a SRAM CX1 groupset. They were won by Gareth Feldstein and Mattias Mendigochea, respectively.
Organizers of the series promise to be back again next season, bigger and better than their already impressive inaugural season.
SATURDAY
Elite Women:
- Amanda Nauman (SDG/Bellwether/Krema Peanut Butter)
- Nicole Brandt (LaGrange/Michelob Ultra)
- Christina Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross/Turner Bikes)
- Katrina Baumstieger (Team Rambuski Law)
- Terra Kier (LaGrange/Michelob Ultra)
Elite Men:
- Jean-Louis Bourdevaire (Blackstar)
- Victor Sheldon (SPY/Fullerton Bikes/Giant)
- Elliot Reinecke (Alternabike/Velo Hangar/Famous Horsemen)
- Jason Siegle (SDG/Bellwether/Krema Peanut Butter)
- Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus)
SUNDAY
Elite Women:
- Amanda Nauman (SDG/Bellwether/Krema Peanut Butter)
- Nicole Brandt (LaGrange/Michelob Ultra)
- Christina Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross/Turner Bikes)
- Katrina Baumstieger (Team Rambuski Law)
- Marilyn Deckman (Stage One)
Elite Men:
- Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road)
- Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus)
- Jason Siegle (SDG/Bellwether/Krema Peanut Butter)
- Kyle Gritters (Rock N’ Road)
- Victor Sheldon (SPY/Fullerton Bikes/Giant)
FINAL STANDINGS
Elite Women:
- Christina Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross/Turner Bikes)
- Nicole Brandt (LaGrange/Michelob Ultra)
- Amanda Nauman (SDG/Bellwether/Krema Peanut Butter)
- Katrina Baumstieger (Team Rambuski Law)
- McKenzie Melcher (The TEAM/Jensen USA)
Elite Men:
- Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road)
- Elliot Reinecke (Alternabike/Velo Hangar/Famous Horsemen)
- Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus)
- John Behrens (Velo Hangar)
- Victor Sheldon (SPY/Fullerton Bikes/Giant)
For complete results from all classes, visit http://www.quickndirtymtb.com/spyclocross/spyclocross_series.html
To stay informed, visit the SPYclocross Series Facebook page.
