Canadian National Cyclocross Championships, Edmonton, Alberta
Aaron Schooler Team H&R BLOCK-KONA takes 3rd for Bronze medal!
In the men's 60 minute race, Kabush was the clear favourite to take his second consecutive title. However, Derrick St John (Garneau/Chaussure/Ogilvy) and last year's runner up Mike Garrigan (La Bicicletta) were expected to make him work for it.
Garrigan led out the field on the first lap, and was still at the front until just before the first pit, when he had to pull in for a bike change. The change cost him at least ten spots, and he was only able to work his way back to seventh by the end of the race.
For the first half of the lap, before entering the 'Bowl', with a series of switchbacks and short, sharp climbs, the field was one long line, led by Kabush. However, as they exited the section for a long flat run to the end of the lap Kabush was ten metres in front and pulling away.
Aaron Schooler (Team H&R Block - Kona) and Tyler Trace (Red Truck Racing) - an alumni of the popular 'Cross on the Rock series on Vancouver Island - led the chase, pulling away from the field. St John, who had been caught up in traffic on the first lap, was working his way up, and would bridge across to the two leaders.
"It was so cold out there," commented Kabush, "that it felt like my eyeballs froze a bit in the wind. I was a little nervous with the snow and the slippery track, so I decided to get out in front fairly early and ride my own pace, and avoid any crashes. With the end of a long mountain bike season, I was a little nervous about how my form would hold, but I had a good week of rest after the Wisconsin [U.S. series] race, and I could tell that I was coming around for this weekend."
As Kabush steadily pulled away, St John took over the chasing duties, followed by Schooler and Trace. Schooler came off the train on lap four, and looked to be in danger of being caught by a charging Shawn Bunnin (Team Alberta). However, Trace faltered late in lap five, and Schooler was able to rejoin him for a battle for third as St John pulled away to lock up the silver medal spot. Schooler pulled away from Trace with a lap and a half to go to take the bronze, while Trace managed to hold off Bunnin for fourth. Team mate Chris McNeil Team H&R BLOCK-KONA also finished 16th.
Photo Gallery - http://www.canadiancyclist.com/races09/crossnats/partfive/index.htm
Peter Lawrence Team H&R BLOCK-KONA WINS National Championships
In Masters Competition, ex-mountain biker Peter Lawrence (Team H&R Block - Kona) absolutely crushing his competition in Master C to win the coveted national champion jersey.
Photo Gallery http://www.canadiancyclist.com/races09/crossnats/partfour/index.htm
2009 Jim Horner Cyclocross GP
On Sunday the elite men lined up once more to race in the Jim Horner Cyclocross Grand Prix. All of the same riders from the day before were in attendance. Aaron Schooler once again came out and showed the rest of the field he can ride with the best bring home an impressive 2nd place.
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