- Oct. 13, 2006
- Cyclo-cross-ing in Gloucester
Gloucester, Mass: Mark McCormack and Jesse Anthony of the Clif Bar Pro Cyclo-Cross team made their 2006 U.S. Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross season debut last weekend at the Gloucester Grand Prix, Mark placing seventh in Saturday’s race, following it up with a fine third place on Sunday. Here are a few of his own words:This past weekend the USGP kicked off in my home state of Massachusetts. The weather was great, the crowds were massive, the courses were fast and bumpy, and the competition was as good as the National Championships.
On Saturday I was sitting about 10th coming out of the first tricky section. As the pace re-accelerated at the front a gap formed and never closed. I have never seen a cross race separate so quickly. I stayed in the chase group for the remainder of the race but crashed on the final lap, ending the day in 7th. It was an exciting race since there was so much going on from start to finish.
I got a much better start on Sunday and managed to make the front selection. I was feeling great but suffered a rear puncture at the end of the first lap. I did my best to hide my flat from the others, but as the course entered the technical sections I couldn’t keep my speed and lost contact with the leaders. I changed bikes and chased back to the second group (we were racing for fourth place). With a lap to go we managed to catch one rider who had been shed from the front group and I used my road sprinting skills to take that spot, finishing third and putting a Team Clif Bar rider on the podium.
Until next time,
Mark
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- Posted by:
- Le Sensation American
- Category:
- Team Clif Bar
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