With a custom Primal unification jersey up for grabs and a load of swag from contributing US Cup sponsors, racers were leaving it all out on the course in hopes of adding one more title to their resume, and another trophy to the mantle before the season’s end.
In the men’s Pro Class, it was Sid Taberlay defending his Kenda Cup West title against some heavy hitters, who were there to try and topple his efforts.
At the end of the day, Taberlay proved to be too strong for Team Turbo’s Ignacio Torres from Mexico and KHS/Cytomax’s Sean Donovan. Rounding out the unification pro men’s podium was Trek rider Dana Weber and Team Sho-Air/Specialized’s Manny Prado.
After the race Taberlay had this to say.
“Well mate it’s been a long season, and I’m glad to end on a high note. These guys weren’t giving me an inch and made me earn it”, elaborated Taberlay. “I just want to thank Sho-Air/Specialized as well as other team sponsors for their backing this year. It was my first full year in the States and I think it went pretty well all things considered.” continued the Australian.
In the Women’s class, Kenda Cup West Champion Krista Park from the Incycle team lost the battle on the day but won the war. It was Sho-Air support rider Alison Mann taking her first professional win after turning pro in March 2009. However because of her late start, Park got the Unification title based on her points accumulation and her second place finish on the day.
“It was great to get my first real pro win out of the way,” expressed Mann. “Krista and I battled back and forth and neither one of us could get an advantage. I just bided my time in the heat and made my move stick when she ran into some shifting problems,” explained Alison.
“Bonelli Park looks very likely to host the opening round of the 2010 PRO XCT series in early March and the venue has a lot of potential”, states US Cup marketing director Ty Kady. In conjunction with USA Cycling we should be releasing a full PRO XCT schedule as early as October or maybe sooner once we confirm commitments from promoters and venues.
“We also have some exciting things lined up for the US Cup as well for 2010 and should be releasing that calendar here shortly over the fall. We are hoping to expand our presence across the country and offer both pro and amateurs a great racing experience and some titles to shoot for,” elaborates Kady.
Results
Pro Men
1, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized)
2, Ignacio Torres
3, Sean Donovan (Cytomax/KHS)
4, Dana Weber
5, Manuel Prado (Sho-Air/Specialized)
6, Ben Bostrom
7, Romolo Forcino
8, Kevin Smallman
9, Tom Koerner
10, Paul Freiwald (Pivot)
Pro Women
1, Alison Mann (Sho-Air/Specialized)
2, Krista Park (Incycle/NoTubes)
3, Joy Duerkson
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