For the 2nd year in succession, a Wisconsin rider spoiled the party at the MN State Cyclocross Championships. Last year it was Specialized rider Mark LaLonde. This year, it was 16 year-old Jordan Cullen (Clif Bar Development Cross Team) taking the win at Minnesota's biggest cyclocross event of the year. The rider, who hails from just across the border in Hudson, WI, overcame a 20 second deficit, catching CJ Faulkner (Crossniacs) just after the barriers as they approached the finish. Jesse Rients (Kuhl/Bicycle Fit Guru), Matt Peterson (Balance/Eriks), and Matt Allen (Behind Bars/LGR) finished 3rd, 4th, and 5th, respectively. As Cullen is a Wisconsin resident, the 2011 MN State Cyclocross Elite Men's title goes to Faulkner.

Snowy, blustery, and cold conditions were a factor in the races later in the day. Nothing compared to the blizzard conditions of last year, but it certainly wasn't just any day in the Park. The biggest challenge for riders was iced up cleats, making it difficult to clip back into their pedals, which made for a scary ride down the hill after the stair run-up.

Jenna Rinehart (specialized) chose to ride her mountain bike, and it proved to me the right choice. She made quick work of the Elite Women's field, riding away almost immediately, and growing her gap all the way to the finish. The battle for 2nd place was much tighter, with Bianca Bergman (Texas Roadhouse) out-sprinting Linda Sone (CycleSmart.com/Flanders) for the honor. Jeanne Fleck (Velo Duluth), and Terra James (Sweet and Salty Cycling) finished 4th and 5th, respectively.

In the Elite Men's race, Cullen was first off the line, but Jay "Hollywood" Henderson (Silver Cycling) would not be denied the hole shot, overtaking the youngster going around the ball field. A large group of over a dozen riders were still in contention after the first lap, led through by Cullen, Hollywood, Faulkner, and 2009 winner Doug Swanson (GrandStay Hotels). By the end of the 2nd lap, Cullen and Faulkner had separated themselves from the pack, with Swanson the closest chaser. By the halfway point, Swanson faded, and Rients had taken over 3rd position followed by Peterson and Masters 35+ leader, Chris Smith (HUP United). Contender Josh Roeser (Crossniacs/Bicycle Fit Guru) pull his hamstring and was out of the race, and his teammate Chris Fisher struggled with the cold, and pulled out as well. 2008 winner Pat Lemieux (Specialized) was not on a good day, but was still having fun, doing cross-ups off the bumps near the finish line.

With 4 laps to go, Faulkner dropped young Cullen and made his bid for glory. His lead grew to over 20 seconds with 2 laps to go, and Rients was closing in on 2nd place. Then the youngster seemed to find a second wind, and started charging forward towards the leader. As Rients fell back into a solid 3rd place, Cullen halved his gap to the front by the start of the bell lap. Faulkner still held a solid gap at the top of the stairs, but Cullen would not relent. The charge continued, and the catch was made right at the barriers, just a few turns before the finish. Cullen carried his momentum all the way to the line, posting up as the crowd looked on in bewilderment. An amazing comeback that no one, not even the winner himself could have predicted.

A hearty congratulations to all the newly crowned MN State Cyclocross Champions. A big thanks to HUP United and BikeThrow Racing for putting on an amazing event. Hope to see you Sunday at the season finale and final race of the Lazer Sport Cyclocross Super Series, the GP Zac Daab.

Photo by Dave Gabrys http://www.cycleture.com/

The final weekend of Cyclocross Racing in Minnesota is upon us, and HUP United and Curt Goodrich Racing have plans that are sure to close out the season in style.

Saturday is the Minnesota State Cyclocross Championships, which traditionally boasts the largest fields of the year. After last year's epic conditions, it's a wait and see game for this year, with snow in the forecast. Whatever Mother Nature has in store for us, the crowds on the stairs promise to be as rowdy as ever.

2011 has seen several riders on the top step of the podium at the MCF Cyclocross events, so there doesn't seem to be a clear favorite for the Elite Men's title. The obvious contenders are the Crossniacs trio of CJ Faulkner, Josh Roeser, and Chris Fisher, along with Jesse Rients (Kuhl/Bicycle Fit Guru) and Clif Bar Devo's Jordan Cullen. Previous MN Cross Champions Doug Swanson (GrandStay) and Pat Lemieux (Specialized) should definitely be included among the riders to watch. Missing from the line-up will be last year's winner, Adam Bergman (Specialized), out due to injury.

No clear favorite for the Elite Women either. Contenders for that title include Linda Sone (CycleSmart.com), Bianca Bergman (Texas Roadhouse), Jeanne Fleck (Velo Duluth), and Terra James (Sweet and Salty Cycling). Jenna Rinehart (Specialized) will certainly be a factor if she chooses to partake.

Sunday's GP Zac Daab is the finale for the Lazer Sport Cyclocross Super Series. Event prizes include $1000 in cash and merchandise, to go with the $1400 in series cash series prizes and trophies, all to be awarded at the event.

All info for the weekend can be found on the flyer: http://www.mcf.net///misc/2011/Cyclocross/Flyer-MNStateCX2011.pdf or the website http://mncyclocross.com/info/

Due to the high rental fees at the venue, and likely low turnout, the cyclocross races scheduled for Dec 3rd and 17th at Dakota Tech have been cancelled.

As this Sunday's GP Zac Daab Cyclocross is the final of 4 events in the Lazer Sport Cyclocross Super Series, the starting order will be done based on current Series Standings. If you don't have any series points, you are staged in order of registration, following the series points holder call-ups.

Keep in mind, for the cases where categories are combined into one race, the races will be staged separately by category, even if they start at the same time.

Series prizes and trophies will be awarded on Sunday at the event, following each associated race.

A complete GP Zac Daab start line call-up list for all categories can be viewed here: http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B3mUIIi39yJvYjZlZDJjMGUtNjliNi00OGQxLWJhNGUtYmZlZDYyNzNiYzdh&hl=en_US

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