Bakersfield Cross: SCNCA Championships and SCPS #8
Bakersfield, CA
December 1 - 2, 2007
Bakersfield Cross: SCNCA Championships and SCPS #8
Though the latest races proved most challenging for native Southern Californians with the cold temperatures and sharp sandy turns, they were decidedly challenging for everybody with all the running that was done. The past weekend recognized the Southern California Nevada Cycling Associations (SCNCA) district champions and the Southern California Prestige Series (SCPS) race #8 presented by Action Sports and the Kern Wheelsman Cycling Club in Bakersfield, California. It was a blast from the races to the awards banquet with battles on the course, victors receiving their leaders jerseys, and men in daisy dukes and tight shirts, kilts, boots, funny hats or no shirts. Other spectators handed out beer, money and old dirty shoes to racers as they charged the course. The weekend was something more like Cross Vegas� with a better course, of course.
Day 1: Saturday, December 1, 2007 �SCNCA Championships
It all started early Saturday with a true beginner men�s race of unlicensed competitors so there was no championship at stake and, even better, no sandbaggers in the pack. The stipulation made the race a lot more fun for the entire group. Following the beginners the juniors and Masters groups took to the course to find the pain of football Hill (a 50 yard run up of gradual hill seated with small steps that were close together so that racers would have to dismount and run through them like a set of high knee running drills through tires) and the other steep climb that most racers ran but there were a few elite men that found their way to the top of the steep sandy peak without putting a foot down. Whatever the case, it was a brutal pain that most racers most certainly did not welcome. However, the course did not let down as it also had a two-foot step down an old log about 18� in diameter that lay at the base of a small climb. It was racers like Bobby Langin, Jr. (Team Platinum Performance) and Frederick Bottger (Bear Claw) who used these obstacles to their advantage the two of them launched down the drop off from the cement to the grass. And then there was Langin, who bunny-hopped the 18� giant, in both of the categories he raced on the day which resulted in podium spaces for him. The heat was on as people traveled from all corners of Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada, everyone was pushing their limits trying to earn the Champion�s jersey for their category.
The women�s elite was harsh going. Some of the returning SCPS favorites were on the field but it seemed to be the week of sickness. Many of the women racers spoke of illness in relation to their strength. With this said, the race was dominated again by Team Redline�s young, Coryn Rivera and followed by the powerhouse group of team CICLE. Coryn did not jump out on the lead right away as she had to deal with racers like Carolyn Popovic, Dorothy Wong, Tanya Bray, and others of team CICLE who tried to hold her back. Once Coryn found her chance she took her lead and did not look back. She opened a gap for herself from the group for the win and the SCNCA Cyclocross Championship. It was Carolyn Popovic in second and Dorothy Wong in third of team CICLE who gave a valiant effort trying to capture the Championship for their powerful squad. Rounding out the top six on this championship weekend were Katrina Baumstiegel (Black Market Racing) in fourth, Tanya Bray (CICLE) in fifth, followed by Ankie Trollegard (Helens/Orbea) in sixth.
In the men�s elite races started out fast, as usual, and they found this course dusty. The first sprint was not long before the brakes were feathered as some jumped down the step down but most dismounted to safely continue their race as the pack was tight until about the third set of turns before dreaded Football Hill. Those who could run, climb steep sandy hills and control themselves through soft, leafy turns all while keeping up with the group had the advantage on this day. It was Frederick Bottger �Fritz� (Team Bearclaw), Michael Easter (Time Factory Team), and SCPS series leader Brent Prenzlow who looked the best out there on the take off and it did not take long for the crowd to start getting into the action. By the second lap there was a mystery man in a plaid kilt, red boots, and matching plaid hat, sans shirt, running through the barrier section of the course ringing bells and shouting at racers. Soon after, others joined in to the point that announcers had the entire group of newly formed hooligans standing at the top of long sandy hill climb, the apex of the course, to encourage racers and watch from atop. It was a remarkable view from below to see so many enthusiastic fans handing out encouragement, money, beer and an old shoe as racers came through with each lap. The intensity was awesome and the lead group held together for some time while growing in strength team Bear Claw managed to have three riders in the top five with Fritz near the front, Jason Lowetz in fourth and Lyle Warner in fifth. As the race went on, the two up front, Prenzlow and Easter, decided to pull away. Fritz Bottger held on as the three moved away from the rest of the field opening a gap and taking turns pulling as the group attacked the course. But, as the final laps came it was just Easter and Prenzlow that battled for the SCNCA Championship. The front groups even, though exhausted, were still climbing the hooligan hill and somewhere on to the last lap of the race Prenzlow put on an attack that gave him some room from Bottger and Easter. It was about halfway through the lap, and a spot that Easter said he did not expect him to attack on but it was just enough. Prenzlow took off and when he came back to the front part of the course the crowd could see the small gap he opened between himself Easter and Bottger. With bells ringing and spectators shouting Easter did not give up as he sprinted until the end like a true competitor and finishing in second place. In third was Fritz Bottger followed by others of the Bear Claw team, as it was Jason Lowetz in fourth for one of his best races of the season and Lyle Warner in fifth. Rounding out the top group were racers Gary Douville (Hazards Cycling Team) and the Discovery Team�s own Tony Cruz in seventh.
It was a magnificent day of racing that was followed quickly by the annual �Bidart and Ablin Hill Climb Challenge.� The rules go as follows: anyone can enter, you must wear a helmet, carry a full-size bike and the first one to reach the bell, placed way to high up a ridiculously steep hill, and ring it takes the $100 taped to the side of the bell. The hill climb had a lot of interested racers as about twenty took to the start but it was Brent Prenzlow of Alan North America again on the day to take the win. It looked like he was not going to get there at first, but he used a different route than most leaving him atop a small peak where he mounted his bike and climbed like a Billy-Goat for a golden field of green.
Day 2: Sunday, December 2, 2007 �SCPS #2
It all started much the same as day one, early on, but racers were surely sore from all the running the course demanded on day one and especially those involved in the �Bidart and Ablin Hill Climb,� or those suffering from the forbidden hangover remaining from the previous evening�s awards ceremony. Whatever the case, the day was lacking some enthusiasm, not in the racing but in the crowd. Day two presented a new course as the host of the event, Action Sports and the Kern Wheelsmen, reversed the course and added another dreaded run up to the already miserable Football Hill, which somehow was the only piece of the course that found its way back on the course going the direction it had gone the day before.
Most were glad they were not starting first as they made the young juniors brave course first, soon after the rest followed. The new course again was fast with some fun technical sections but it had running and climbing that made ones quads burn so bad you would think your legs were on fire. When races finished, people were leaving instead of sticking around to see what happened in men�s and women�s elite races. It was questions like, �Can Coryn Rivera (Team Redline) win again or do you think Brent Prenzlow (Alan North America) will win every SCPS race this season?� that made some people stick around to find out. Well with whatever question was asked, all the races ended wonderfully. Names like Bobby Langin were heard all weekend as this father son duo did great with two championships, Dad�s in the Masters 45-49 and Jr.�s in the Cat 3 and also taking a second place finish in the Single-Speed division. What a family!
The women�s elite started first for the elites and at the start it was Coryn Rivera and the rest of the group bursting away from the start. The short sprint into the 180 degree turn divided the group much like the previous days finish. But, with the illness of some racers top finishers like Tanya Bray of Team CICLE could not make it to the start. However, it was Carolyn Popovic of the CICLE team who, even though was suffering from a recent sinus infection after her travels and racing on the East Coast, decided to take an early attack on the course. It was an attack that was much like the one she put out during the first race of the season where she separated herself from the field by almost a minute. It was an impressive charge, as she began to push forward about halfway through the race until the end to win it, changing podium positions for the day with Redline�s Rivera who finished second. Katrina Baumsteiger (Team Black Market Racing), who also moved her way up the podium finishing third, and Dorothy Wong (Team CICLE) who consistently finishes on top with fourth, followed by teammate Heidi Kanayan of CICLE in fifth for best women�s elite finish of the season.
The Men�s elite was much like the women�s start as the top finishers from the day before all were in the top of the field but Fritz Bottger of the Bear Claw Team was leading the pack. It was noticeable that the group was tired from the intense racing on Saturday. Mike Easter, however, duped the field though as he continued to attack the group, in great form, taking the lead and separating himself from Bottger and the lead group on the last lap. This was Easter�s second win on the season and an exciting one because the series leader, Prenzlow, was in the race and this Alan rider�s first SCPS loss of the season. With Easter�s powerful finish, Bottger in second, Prenzlow in third, the Bear Claw Boy�s Jason Lowetz in fourth and his teammate Lyle Warner in fifth, there were strong finishers on the podium for this category.
With day two�s racing having come to a close, the day would not be complete without the �Bidart and Ablin Hill Climb Challenge.� Once again there was another $100 bill taped to a bell placed even further up on the hill, and in a different location. The race was not as filled, as many learned the pain from the day prior but those that did take to the challenge wanted the money and two other prizes put up for second and third places. Overall, it was Brent Prenzlow (Alan North America) taking the cash, Michael Easter (Time Factory Team) in Second to grab his portable bike washer from Nomad, and Fritz Bottger (Bear Claw) taking the third prize. The best dressed hill climber of the day was none other than Bear Claw�s own Jason Lowetz sporting his race kit and cowboy boots, Yee-haw Bear Claw Cowboy!
Thank you to all the sponsors of the event (Action Sports, Kern Wheelsman Bike Club, Bidart and Ablin, Voler Team Apparel, Crank Brothers, Redline Bicycles, Guinn Construction, and especially the Sequoia Sandwich Co. for coming out and feeding all the hungry racers) if there are any others forgotten I apologize. If it were not without the sponsors and volunteers this fantastic series would not happen. So next time you need parts/bikes supports those that support you, when you are at the races lend a hand to cleaning up or setting up, and find just one racer to bring out to discover the culture of cross!
These results are provided for informational purposes only. Please note that
the protest period for this event has expired and no changes can or will be made
to these results.
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SCNCA Championships
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Elite Men 1/2
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 761 Brent Prenzlow Alan North American Cycling
2 757 Michael Easter Time Factory Team
3 762 Frederick Bottger Team Bearclaw
4 764 Jason Lowetz Team Bearclaw
5 765 Lyle Warner Team Bearclaw
6 760 Gary Douville Platinum Performance
7 766 Antonio Cruz UCI PT: Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
8 759 John Bailey Bailey/Black Mountain
9 763 John McKeen Team Bearclaw
10 754 Didier Jourdain Bailey/Black Mountain
11 756 Zachary Griffin AIAGE Cycling Club
755 Jason Siegle Jax Bicycle Center
758 Matias Mendigochea Kahala LaGrange
Elite Men 3
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 91 Bobby Langin Platinum Performance
2 87 Morgan Ryan Team CICLE
3 89 Ted Willard Liquid Fitness/1031market.com
4 92 Lawrence Leonard Successful Living
5 88 Paul Hernandez Bicycle Johns Serious Cycling
93 David Sheek Outside All Day
Men 4
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 313 Chris Foster Unattached
2 318 Gareth Feldstein AIAGE Cycling Club
3 314 Erik Turner Liquid Fitness/1031market.com
4 331 Michael Hutson AIAGE Cycling Club
5 330 Miguel Sutter Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)
6 333 Brian Monroe AIAGE Cycling Club
7 327 Allen Lin Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)
8 319 David Rous Simply Fit/Action Sports
9 326 Jeffrey Goble Canyon Velo
10 328 David Summers Team Velocity
11 315 Steve Bertrand Platinum Performance Cycling Team
12 317 Jay Kwan Unattached
332 Max Burgos Century Road Club Association
Men 4 (Beginner)
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 427 Todd Berlineri
2 431 Chris Bondus
3 432 Kevin Zielsdorf
4 429 Gary Smith
5 426 Terry Gaylord
6 428 Jim Barker
7 433 Londo Whitney
8 425 Marc Francois
9 430 Charlie Smith
Masters Men 35-39
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 415 Samuel Ames Simply Fit/Action Sports
2 417 Donny Carroll DeWalt Racing
3 419 Garnet Vertican Giant
4 416 Matias Mendigochea Kahala LaGrange
5 414 Jeff Herring Team CICLE
6 418 Coley King
Masters Men 40-44
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 366 Mike McMahon Team Velocity
2 367 Theodore Posch Hr Team Velocity
3 365 Keith Newsome
4 370 Paul Avila Bicycle Johns Serious Cycling
368 Michael Hutson AIAGE Cycling Club
369 James Stathas Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)
Masters Men 45-49
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 57 Bobby Langin Platinum Performance
2 61 James Pappe Action Sports/SSC Racing Team
3 59 Johnny Dalton Team Velocity
4 54 David Gibson Team Velocity
5 58 Bradley Galindo PAA
6 56 Paul Bracken Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)
7 55 Jeff Steinhart Bicycle Johns
8 60 Charles Morris Celo Pacific
62 Robert DeFerrante Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)
Masters Men 50-54
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 821 Edwin Rambuski Black Market Racing
2 823 Brian Starr Team Tailwinds
3 825 Robert Meeker Team Bearclaw
4 822 Kevin Ryan ACME
824 Roberto Jourdain Black Mountain/Celo Pacific
Masters Men 55-59
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 828 Jon Miller Amgen/Giant Masters
2 829 Bob Guglielmelli Central Coast Magazine
3 830 Jonathan Livesay Team Bearclaw
Masters Men 60+
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 320 John Rubcic UC Cyclery/JW Flooring
2 323 Paul Springer Karl Strauss/SDBC
3 322 Robert Llamas Team Bearclaw
4 321 R Lee Willmore Celo Pacific
Elite Women 1/2
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 681 Coryn Rivera Team Redline
2 675 Carolyn Popovic Team CICLE
3 677 Dorothy Wong Team CICLE
4 684 Katrina (Trina) Baumsteiger Black Market Racing
5 680 Tonya Bray Team CICLE
6 673 Ankie Trollegard Team CICLE
676 Christie Pleiss Team CICLE
679 Mandy Eakins Team CICLE
Elite Women 3
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 674 Beatriz Rodriguez Team CICLE
2 678 Heidi Kanayan Team CICLE
3 682 Kendall Ryan Team CICLE
4 683 Lisa Crowe Don's Bike
Women 4
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 567 Shannon Castle Team CICLE
2 566 Genna McMahon Team Velocity
3 568 Jennifer Easter
Masters Women 35-44
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 77 Katrina (Trina) Baumsteiger Black Market Racing
2 78 Dorothy Wong Team CICLE
3 80 Mandy Eakins Team CICLE
4 79 Ankie Trollegard Team CICLE
76 Lana Suhia Monticello
Masters Women 45+
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 314 Amy Hutner Kahala LaGrange
2 312 Keli Roberts Team CICLE
3 313 Robin MacDonald-Foley Team CICLE
Junior Men 10-14
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 756 Erik Volotzky Team CICLE
2 755 Duncan Reid BikePalace/BackOnTrack
Junior Men 15-18
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 655 Ben Bertiger Team CICLE
2 656 Erik Eqelko
3 657 Peter Morris
Junior Women 10-14
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 560 Alexis Ryan Team CICLE
2 561 Christina Fuentes Easton Specialized
Junior Women 15-18
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 322 Coryn Rivera Team Redline
Singlespeed
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 782 Jason Siegle Jax Bicycle Center
2 779 Bobby Langin Platinum Performance
3 786 David Sheek Outside All Day
4 787 Coley King Vertigo
5 781 Paul Hernandez Bicycle Johns Serious Cycling
6 784 Miguel Sutter Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)
7 785 Cole Maness Unattached
8 780 R Lee Willmore Celo Pacific
783 Jeffrey Goble Canyon Velo
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Southern California Prestige Series #8
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Elite Men 1/2/3
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 757 Michael Easter Time Factory Team
2 769 Frederick Bottger Team Bearclaw
3 761 Brent Prenzlow Alan North American Cycling
4 772 Jason Lowetz Team Bearclaw
5 765 Lyle Warner Team Bearclaw
6 760 Gary Douville Platinum Performance
7 766 Antonio Cruz UCI PT: Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
8 755 Jason Siegle Jax Bicycle Center
9 771 John McKeen Team Bearclaw
10 758 Matias Mendigochea Kahala LaGrange
11 759 John Bailey Bailey/Black Mountain
12 768 Didier Jourdain Bailey/Black Mountain
13 773 Alex Boone Team Bearclaw
14 770 Daniel Lowetz Team Bearclaw
15 92 Lawrence Leonard Successful Living
16 88 Paul Hernandez Bicycle Johns Serious Cycling
17 774 Scott Hammack Karl Strauss/SDBC
767 Cameron Fox Velo Europa
Masters Men 35+ 1/2/3
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 90 Samuel Ames Simply Fit/Action Sports
2 95 Jeff Herring Team CICLE
3 367 Theodore Posch Hr Team Velocity
4 366 Mike McMahon Team Velocity
5 94 Paul Welsh Celo Pacific
6 96 Garnet Vertican Giant
7 756 Zachary Griffin AIAGE Cycling Club
Elite Men 1/2/3 & Masters Men 35+ 1/2/3 (combined)
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 757 Michael Easter Time Factory Team
2 769 Frederick Bottger Team Bearclaw
3 761 Brent Prenzlow Alan North American Cycling
4 772 Jason Lowetz Team Bearclaw
5 765 Lyle Warner Team Bearclaw
6 760 Gary Douville Platinum Performance
7 766 Antonio Cruz UCI PT: Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
8 755 Jason Siegle Jax Bicycle Center
9 90 Samuel Ames Simply Fit/Action Sports
10 95 Jeff Herring Team CICLE
11 771 John McKeen Team Bearclaw
12 367 Theodore Posch Hr Team Velocity
13 758 Matias Mendigochea Kahala LaGrange
14 759 John Bailey Bailey/Black Mountain
15 366 Mike McMahon Team Velocity
16 94 Paul Welsh Celo Pacific
17 96 Garnet Vertican Giant
18 768 Didier Jourdain Bailey/Black Mountain
19 773 Alex Boone Team Bearclaw
20 756 Zachary Griffin AIAGE Cycling Club
21 770 Daniel Lowetz Team Bearclaw
22 92 Lawrence Leonard Successful Living
23 88 Paul Hernandez Bicycle Johns Serious Cycling
24 774 Scott Hammack Karl Strauss/SDBC
767 Cameron Fox Velo Europa
Elite Women 1/2/3
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 675 Carolyn Popovic Team CICLE
2 681 Coryn Rivera Team Redline
3 685 Katrina (Trina) Baumsteiger Black Market Racing
4 686 Dorothy Wong Team CICLE
5 678 Heidi Kanayan Team CICLE
683 Lisa Crow Don's Bike
Women 3/4
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 567 Shannon Castle Team CICLE
2 683 Lisa Crow Don's Bike
3 569 Brooke Warner Team CICLE
4 566 Genna McMahon Team Velocity
5 570 Lana Suffia Monticello
6 576 Elizabeth McAfee Velo Bella-Kona
Masters Women 40+
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 314 Amy Hutner Kahala LaGrange
2 312 Keli Roberts Team CICLE
3 313 Robin MacDonald-Foley Team CICLE
315 Carol Ruckle Team Possabilities
Men 4
Place Bib First Name Last Name Club
1 438 Geoff McFetridge
2 332 Max Burgos Century Road Club Association
3 315 Steve Bertrand Platinum Performance Cycling Team
4 446 Tim Adams
5 443 Roger Jorgensen Bikeman.com
6 437 Wendel Woodford
7 445 Dave Melchior HDCC-Allegiant Airlines/Pain MD's.com
8 439 Terry Gaylord
9 435 Joe Awe Action Sports
10 442 Jay Kwan
11 444 Daniel Costales
12 440 Marc Francois Bitchin Ass
441 Brandon Sincock Makita-Grace
436 Slater Fletcher
Junior Men 15-18
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 655 Ben Bertiger Team CICLE
2 659 Peter Morris Celo Pacific
3 658 Jake Snyder Team CICLE
Junior Men 10-14
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 756 Erik Volotzky Team CICLE
Junior Women 10-14
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 562 Christina Fuentes Easton Specialized
Masters Men 45+
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 70 James Pappe Action Sports/SSC Racing Team
2 65 Charles Morris Celo Pacific
3 58 Bradley Galindo PAA
4 67 Edwin Rambuski Black Market Racing
5 68 Brian Starr Team Tailwinds
6 71 Robert Meeker Team Bearclaw
7 63 Greg Castaneda Lightning Velo
8 62 Robert DeFerrante Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)
9 66 Gregory Page Lightning Velo
10 56 Paul Bracken Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)
11 69 Larry Vanzant Hazards Cycle Sport
12 55 John Steinhart Bicycle Johns
13 64 Roberto Jourdain Black Mountain/Celo Pacific
57 Bobby Langin Platinum Performance
Masters Men 55+
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 323 Paul Springer Karl Strauss/SDBC
2 827 John Erwin
3 824 Jonathan Livesay Team Bearclaw
4 320 John Rubcic UC Cyclery/JW Flooring
5 826 Scott Sampson Da Hui Race
6 322 Robert Llamas Team Bearclaw
7 321 R Lee Willmore Celo Pacific
Masters Men 35+ 3/4
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 420 Mark Campaigne Celo Pacific
2 428 Michael Hutson AIAGE Cycling Club
3 423 Keith Newsome Monticello
4 425 David Rous AIAGE Cycling Club
5 427 Paul Avila Bicycle Johns Serious Cycling
6 426 Jeffrey Goble Canyon Velo
7 424 Tak Tsubota Team Ridley
8 422 David Lawson Guys Racing
421 Eric Hess Unattached
Men 3/4
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 345 Bobby Langin Platinum Performance
2 340 Ted Willard Liquid Fitness/1031market.com
3 318 Gareth Feldstein AIAGE Cycling Club
4 774 Scott Hammack Karl Strauss/SDBC
5 339 Erik Turner Liquid Fitness/1031market.com
6 333 Brian Monroe AIAGE Cycling Club
7 349 Chris Bondus Team Velocity
8 347 Tak Tsubota Team Ridley
9 445 Dave Melchior HDCC-Allegiant Airlines/Pain MD's.com
315 Steve Bertrand Platinum Performance Cycling Team
334 Allen Lin Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)
335 Cole Maness Unattached
336 Jon Miller Amgen/Giant Masters
337 David Reilly Celo Pacific
338 Chase Schoen Unattached
343 Michael Moore Unattached
Singlespeed Open
Place Num First Name Last Name Club
1 784 Miguel Sutter PAA
2 791 Jeffrey Goble Canyon Velo
3 792 Paul Avila Bicycle Johns Serious Cycling
4 788 Geoffrey Albert Unattached
5 789 Todd Whitehouse Bicycle Johns Serious Cycling
6 790 R Lee Willmore Celo Pacific
7 794 David Sheek Outside All Day
