Numero Uno, Geoff Kabush is always a threat
Writing and Photos by: Shannon Boffeli
The Pro XCT moves to the mountains of Colorado. The Carmichael Training Systems Sand Creek Invitational in Colorado Springs, Colorado will host round four of the Cross Country national series. The Sand Creek Invitational will treat riders to more climbing and higher altitude than any racecourse on the circuit thus far.
Georgia Gould is only a part of what makes Luna so dominant
The change in altitude should bring some changes in the final outcome. After taking the top three spots in Alabama, the Luna train appears intact and back on the rails. Georgia Gould, Katerina Nash, and Catharine Pendrel are all proven climbers who should excel on the Colorado course. Hoping to derail the train will be U.S. Short Track and Cyclocross National Champion Katie Compton (Spike Shooter). Compton took first at the Teva Mountain Games in Vail last weekend defeating Gould in the process. It is unknown if Compton can handle all three Lunas, a challenge for any rider, even a National Champion.
Other riders to watch for will be Colorado residents Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher), and Kelli Emmett (Giant). Emmett has been slightly under-the-radar this season but she has done enough to occupy 3rd in the Pro XCT standings. Racing in front of the hometown crowd should provide a boost for the Giant rider.
Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth), Kathy Sherwin (Kenda/Tomac), and Lea Davison (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain) all finished in the top-10 in Alabama and are proven climbers capable of scaling onto the podium this weekend.
In the men’s event, Sho-Air/Specialized riders Max Plaxton and Sid Taberlay refuse to give up the top spots in the series. Both riders have proven they can compete in almost any conditions and for that reason are sitting one-two in the Pro XCT standings. Despite a top field in Colorado Springs there is no reason to think Plaxton or Taberlay will relinquish their hold on the series standings.
Todd Wells should be right up front again this weekend
Challenging for the win will be Coloradoan Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Gary Fisher) who just missed a win in Alabama and defeated nearly the same field of riders at last weekend’s Teva Mountain Games. Another Colorado rider, Todd Wells (Specialized), should have a strong ride on Sunday, provided he avoids the bad luck that has hounded him this season.
Maxxis/Rocky Mountain rider Geoff Kabush will be on hand and is always a threat to win. He hasn’t been his typical dominant self this spring but you can never count the K-Bomb out. His combination of power and cool calculation can produce wins even on bad days. The same can be said about U.S. National XC Champion Adam Craig (Giant). Craig has been off to a slow start in 2009 but he is no doubt building his fitness for the upcoming National Championships in Granby, Colorado.
Kona riders Barry Wicks and Ryan Trebon will be hoping to emerge from their respective cocoons this season. Both riders have been struggling in 2009 and currently sit 30th or below in the Pro XCT standings. Watch for Sam (Subaru/Gary Fisher) and Andy Schultz (Kenda/Tomac) to end up in the top-10. The brothers from Montana know how to climb and have spent an abundance of time riding up front with the big guns this season.
The Carmichael Training Systems Sand Creek Invitational will kick off with a Short Track race on Friday followed by the Cross Country on Saturday. Check back with MTBracenews.com for results, reports, and photos from the events.
