Ryan Knapp and Anna Jean Dallaire win the Indiana ‘cross championships.
Sub-freezing temperatures greeted the participants who braved the elements to contest the final Zipp Ohio Valley Cyclocross Tour event at Brookside Park in Indianapolis. Although the ground was snow covered in spots, icy in others with air temperatures hovering around 20°F, the racing action was anything but frigid.
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By Promoter’s release
Sub-freezing temperatures greeted the participants who braved the elements to contest the final Zipp Ohio Valley Cyclocross Tour event at Brookside Park in Indianapolis. Although the ground was snow covered in spots, icy in others with air temperatures hovering around 20°F, the racing action was anything but frigid.
Brookside Park, host to summertime criterium races for more than 30 years, proved a tough opponent for those on ‘cross bikes who had to navigate almost-frozen mud, icy pavement, and the infamous stair climb section. Broken chains, racers quitting due to cold, and epic battles led up to the final races of the day, the elite men and women.
The women’s event saw Anna Jean Dallaire (Barbasol/Sobe/Cannondale) take the win over junior rider Michelle Morris (One Call Now). More than twenty bundled-up men toed the slippery start line. Andy Messer (DRT Racing) got a fabulous start and the hole shot with the rest of the field sledding along in his wake.
Ryan Knapp (BikeReg.com), the pre-race favorite, quickly showed the form that has been winning him races and garnered him top spot in the overall points series by going to the front at the end of the first lap and never looking back.
A battle was brewing behind, however, when Clayton Omer (Calistoga Racing Team), a junior racer just last year, worked his way up to second place rider Isaac Neff (Alderfer-Bergen). Omer burned too many matches with the effort and was quickly cut loose from the smooth-riding Neff. And that’s the way it stayed — Knapp first, Neff second, and Omer third. Early leader Messer rode a solid race and finished fourth.
Results
Men’s results | ( Women’s results )
1. Ryan Knapp Bikereg.com
2. Isaac Neff Alderfer-Bergen
3. Clayton Omer Calistoga
4. Andrew Messer Drt Racing
5. Mitchell Kersting Barbasol
6. Mitchell Graham Biowheels
7. Robert Bush Texas Roadhouse
8. Kip Spaude Nova Cycle Sports Foundation Inc.
9. Rob Kendall Team Barbasol/rapid Transit
10. Zach Edwards Drt Racing
11. Andrew Reardon Krystal
12. Ryan Myers Indianapolis Cycling Club
13. Zach McBride
14. Aaron Hawkins Don Galligher-Drt Consulting
15. Jacob Virostko Lucas Oil
16. Nick Tinsler Darkhorse Racing
17. Jason Fowler
18. Jake Rytlewski
19. Katsuhiro Tanda Team Athens
20. Dustin Greer Maxxis/first Endurance
21. Matthew Curin
. Mike Kennedy Barbasol
. Donald Galligher Drt Racing
Women’s results | ( Men’s results )
1. AnnaJean Dallaire Barbasol
2. Michelle Morris One Call Now
3. Nicole Borem Drt Racing
4. Amanda McKay Biowheels
5. Kiersta Tucker Ckw Racing
6. Rebecca Finley Vanderkitten
7. Sarah Lukas Hyundai / Gear Grinder
8. Emily Benson Drt Racing
9. Whitney Kroll Cane Creek
. Ashley James Nova Cycle Sports Foundation Inc.
. Teri Meek Bikeclicks.com / Team Louisville