USGP #4: New Belgium Cup, Fort Collins Colorado

by Christopher See on Oct 14, 2011 11:13 PM EDT in N. American Racing

Men's Elite Saturday

Men's Elite Sunday

Women's Elite Sunday

It was an angels, devils, heaven and hell, AC/DC sort of weekend in Fort Collins Colorado for USGP #4. 45º and driving rain on Saturday followed by broken clouds and mid fifties in Sunday. The baby poop mud of Saturday dried out to yield a firm fast surface for Sunday's elite races.

Luna Chix Katerina Nash went head to head with Rabobank's Katie Compton both days. The two split time on the podium's top step. Nash displayed her series leader jersey while Compton answered with the Stars and Stripes of US national champion. Saturday's podium was Nash, Compton and Georgia Gould (Luna Chix). Sunday Compton would best Nash with Meredith Miller claiming third.

On the men's side Ryan Trebon (LTS) swapped wins with Jeremy Powers (Rapha- Focus). Trebon had the better ride in Saturdays sloppy mud, but was unable to hold off Powers on Sunday. Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain) rounded out the podium with a second place on Saturday and third on Sunday.

Katie Compton vs. Katerina Nash

Saturday

Sunday

End result: Nash 1 Compton 1 as both succumbed to mechanicals. Nash wining in the mud Saturday and Compton on Sunday

Katie Antonneau

Seventh in the mud.

Eighth on Sunday.

L'oopsy

Tim Johnson had some issues Saturday.

Came back clean on Sunday.

Ryan Trebon: First Saturday ahead of Jeremy Powers.

Jeremy Powers shows how it feels to best Trebon on Sunday

They do Big Bell in Fort Collins

The future of US cyclocross, Logan Owens (Redline) and Keegan Swenson (Whole Athlete) went at it in Fort Collins. Swenson is a national team member and mountain bike national champion. Owens has won the cyclocross junior national championship six consecutive times. Final score Owens 1 Swenson 1.

Day One Gallery.

Day Two Gallery.

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Niiiice!

That mud was polished to a fine sheen by Sunday, huh? The question is, between heaven and hell, which is which?

De cross gaat out that door.

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 14, 2011 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

Sunday it set up to a really nice fast surface.. like good concrete really.

the consensus among shooters, was if you all like mud cx shots, y’all needs to spend 7 hours in the driving rain and get em your selves… ;-)
We learned that the Canon 5d is relatively mud proof and Think Tank makes really sweet rain covers. The Nikon came through unscathed.
Signed,
Drowned Rat

~ The photographer formerly known as Fred

by Christopher See on Oct 14, 2011 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

The mud slop-fest was fun to watch but left much to be desired as far as photography goes.

~ The photographer formerly known as Fred

by Christopher See on Oct 14, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Very nice shots Chris!

I am partial to muddy women, so the Katy Antonneau shot is cool to me. The Powers shot (muddy) is cool as well – though I am not implying he’s a woman…just saying it reminds me of what cx is about (oh geez…I need coffee).

I enjoyed the shots and coverage. Let’s leave it at that! :)

by JustJoshinYa on Oct 15, 2011 7:49 AM EDT reply actions

The info on Keegan Swenson is incorrect.

Logan Owens (Redline) is still US cyclocross national champion. Swenson is a US national team member and mountain bike national champion. The editor is crashed so I can’t make the appropriate changes.

~ The photographer formerly known as Fred

by Christopher See on Oct 15, 2011 9:46 AM EDT reply actions