Cyclocross is a sport derived  from bicycle racing in Europe as an off-season conditioning sport. It consists of riders using a slightly modified racing bicycle in mostly  off-road courses that combine difficult obstacles such as steep hills and barriers. Riders must dismount their bicycles and run over these obstacles while carrying  their bikes, then remount and continue racing the course. The difficult sport has become popular worldwide as an adjunct to bicycle and mountain bicycle racing in the fall of each year.  

Oregon proudly presents the largest Cyclocross series in the United States, promoted by The Cross Crusade cyclocross organization and Oregon Bicycle Racing Association. 

The “Cross Crusade” has been going on for ten years, though cyclocross has been a growing sport in Oregon for over 30 years. Last October 19, A major, national caliber race was staged in Portland  under the auspices of the  UCI, (Union Cyliste International, The international bicycle racing governing body) . Local bicyle racing promoter, Brian witty filed this story:

    Portland, Ore., October 19, 2002 - U.S. National Champion Todd Wells (Mongoose/Hyundai) and Gina Hall (Team Clif Bar) stormed to convincing victories at today's UCI 1.3 Cannondale/PDX International Cyclocross Classic in Portland, Ore.  
    The growing popularity of cyclocross in the Pacific Northwest was evident as more than 400 racers took the line throughout the day.  Undoubtedly, the sunny, 65-degree temperatures helped convince many to strap on their cleats as well.

    The Cannondale/PDX International cyclocross Classic was contested on a classic Belgian-style course in the grass fields surrounding the Portland International Raceway track featuring wide-open power sections interspersed with off-camber turns and run-ups.  The tough 1.9-mile course required racers to keep the power on for most of the lap, including key features
such as ten 180-degree turns, a plateau concrete barrier dubbed the 'monolith' and a tricky 'tear-drop' section that dropped down and climbed back up the face of a steep embankment.

Wells Overcomes Mechanical and Sundt to Take Victory

   The deep talent in the Elite Men's Race showed the growing importance of racking up UCI points toward selection for the U.S. Worlds team.  On the line were Wells, Jonny Sundt (K2), Team Clif Bar's Jackson Stewart, Andy Jacques-Maynes and Dave Wyandt, The Spokesman Bicycles/Bullion Stil's Ben Jacques-Maynes and Justin Robinson.  Finally, Pacific Northwest powerhouse team Kona/Kenwood brought Dale Knapp, Bart Bowen, Eric Tonkin and Barry Wicks.

    In the early laps, the 65-strong field seemed to be fighting a battle of attrition.  In the very first corner the combination of congestion and a transition from asphalt to gravel took down several riders, including contender Ben Jacques-Maynes.  Then Kona/Kenwood caught a double whammy when Erik Tonkin's chain snapped and Dale Knapp experienced a lengthy delay from a mechanical that would have him chasing his way into contention all race.  Sundt and Wells were putting on a bunny-hopping clinic which allowed them to ride every inch of the course, much to the crowd's delight.  During the first lap, a group of five secured a small gap.  The group was led by Sundt, followed by Wells, Stewart, Andy Jacques-Maynes and Robinson.  The pace was remarkable with sub-7 minute laps putting the average pace at nearly 17 m.p.h.

    Over the next laps, Sundt and Wells put in hard pulls at the front. However, Wells' race was about to take a dramatic turn with little more than four to go.  On the most challenging set of double barriers set on a steep uphill, Wells' chain jammed during a bunny-hop.  Sundt rode away as Wells was stationary for 20 seconds and dropped to fifth.  He benefited from the ensuing shot of adrenaline to get back to third only 15 seconds back by the line.  
    With the bit firmly between his teeth, Wells used the many opportunities to measure Sundt's lead at the turnarounds, to take a second here and there.   A lap later, he was glued to Sundt's wheel again, and a widening gap back to Stewart.

    At the 'tear-drop' run-up, Wells made the decisive move.  He jumped over the top and immediately got five seconds on Sundt.  He stayed on the drops and continued to pull away until he was able to throw his arms in the air at the finish.  Sundt followed him chased by Stewart, Andy Jacques-Maynes and Robinson.  Ben Jacques-Maynes recovered  for sixth followed by Bart Gillespie (Biogen), Knapp and Wyandt.  Local favorite Wicks rounded out the top ten.
Hall's Strategy Pays Off
   A strong field of 50 women took the whistle for the 40-minute Elite Women's race.  A frenetic start saw Kona/Kenwood's Jeannette Nussbaum and Team Spine's Rachel Lloyd had strong opening laps to establish a gap from the pack.  The pair worked smoothly together and looked to be a serious threat to run away and make it a two-women race.

    Team Clif Bar's Gina Hall, a member of the 2002 U.S. Cyclocross Worlds team, had a different idea.  On the third lap, Hall made contact with the leaders to form the group that would ultimately decide the race's outcome.  Christine Vardaros (SallySpicer.com) was pushing hard in fourth to make contact, followed by Josie Beggs (Bolla/Bianchi) and Kimberly Vandersyde
(Bicycle Warehouse).  
    The battle for the 'Cross Crusade series was being waged by local riders Rhonda Mazza (Team S&M/Vanilla) in seventh, Suzanne King (Sunnyside Sports), an ever-improving Marjon Marik (River City Bicycles) and Alice Pennington (Trek/VW/Bike Gallery) who rounded out the top 10.
    The lap board counted down from three to two to one and it was clear that it would be a three-woman showdown on the bell lap.  Vardaros continued to stalk the leaders that kept the pressure on the front, closing to within 12 seconds at one point on the last lap.

    The 'Nussbaum-Lloyd-Hall Express' stayed nose-to-tail on the wide-open sections of the course, waiting for the decisive pair of run-ups and the final barriers.  Nussbaum took the first shot on the first run-up, accelerating into the lead.  However, Lloyd and Hall never allowed a gap to open.  Into the 'tear-drop' run-up, Nussbaum and Lloyd were continuing to be aggressive while Hall tucked in behind.  Lloyd ducked inside but ran wide into Nussbaum on the steep section.

    Meanwhile, Hall had saved herself for the final act of the play.  She went immediately to the front which gave her the advantage around lapped riders. Into a tight 180-degree corner, Lloyd came back on Hall but it was short lived as Hall accelerated through the last double barrier and big-ringed it all the way toward the line.  Lloyd and Nussbaum continued to charge too and
in what looked to be a road field sprint, Hall came out on top a half-bike in front of Lloyd with Nussbaum another half-length back.  After the race, Hall explained her strategy: "I just tried to sit on as much as possible and get a good rest.  I knew they would go for it on the last run-up and might tangle.  It paid off and I attacked to take the lead and just kept suffering right through to the line.  I'm shooting for the Worlds team again, so these points are valuable."

About the 'Cross Crusade Series

Now in its 10th season, the River City Bicycles 'Cross Crusade Series is an Oregon-based grassroots effort that has grown into the largest cyclocross series in North America.  The 2002 'Cross Crusade has more than $20,002 of prize money up for grabs during the eight races, including two UCI sanctioned events for the first time.  The 'Cross Crusade series emphasizes fun and participation which is evidenced by the expansive prize list that ranges from cash and
bike-related merchandise to six-packs of local microbrews and bottles of Oregon-grown wines. This level of generosity is made possible by the unparalleled support of the series' title sponsor River City Bicycles and presenting sponsors Cannondale, Saturn/RussAuto, MacTarnahan's and Sellwood Cycle Repair.  Learn more about 'Cross Crusade at www.crosscrusade.com. 

Cannondale/PDX International Cyclo-Cross Classic (UCI 1.3)

River City Bicycles 2002 Cross Crusade Round 3
Portland International Raceway, Portland, Oregon
October 19, 2002

Top 20 Elite Men:

1.    Todd Wells, Mongoose/Hyundai
2.    Jonny Sundt, K2 Bike
3.    Jackson Stewart, Team Clif Bar
4.    Andy Jacques-Maynes, Team Clif Bar
5.    Justin Robinson, The Spokesman Bicycles/Bullion Stil
6.    Benjamin Jacques-Maynes, The Spokesman Bicycles/Bullion Stil
7.    Bart Gillespie, Biogen
8.    Dale Knapp, Kona/Kenwood
9.    David Wyandt, Team Clif Bar
10.    Barry Wicks, Kona/Kenwood
11.    Shannon Skerritt, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery
12.    Bart Bowen, Kona/Kenwood
13.    Derl Miller, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery
14.    Mark King, Sunnyside Sports
15.    Alex Andel, Ragnarek
16.    John Leonard, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery
17.    Jeff Caton, Napa Valley Velo
18.    Brent Prenzlow, Celo Pacific Cannondale
19.    Gary Thompson, Bicycling Wearhouse
20.    Richard McClung, Broadmark

Top 20 Elite Women:

1.    Gina Hall, Team Clif Bar
2.    Rachel Lloyd, Team Spine Santa Cruz
3.    Jeannette Nussbaum, Kona/Kenwood
4.    Christine Vardaros, SallySpicer.com
5.    Josie Beggs, Bolla/Bianchi
6.    Kimberly Vandersyde, Bicycle Warehouse
7.    Rhonda Mazza, Team S&M/Vanilla
8.    Suzanne King, Sunnyside Sports
9.    Marjon Marik, River City Bicycles
10.    Karen Kenlen Sunnyside
11.    Dorothy Wong, Kelly Bike Company
12.    Alice Pennington, Trek/VW/Bike Gallery
13.    Stella Carey, Kelly Bike Company
14.    Marg Fedyna, Trek Alberta
15.    Hollie McGovern, Rad Racing NW
16.    Lora Heckman, Laurel St. Racing
17.    Joanne Stevens, Sunnyside Sports
18.    Lauren Constantini, Sycip
19.    Emily Babcock, Gentle Lovers
20.    Julie Wilson, Disco Velo

Full Results @ www.crosscrusade.com