| Event Name: | Magnuson Park Cross |
| Date: | October 21st, 2012 |
| Description: | Another cross race for the masses. A pretty mundane course on the shores of Lake Washington. Nothing technical, just a full throttle cross race. |
| Cat 3 35+: | 2nd - Greg Kauper |
| Cat 4 Men: | 4th - Dean Jasper |
RAIN RAIN, come our way!
After a much touted weekend of showers and storms Sunday shaped up to be cold with sun breaks. Being a group who enjoys the more technical side of cross, we were hoping for some creative corners, off camber sections, run ups and descents. After the course map was published, we deferred to mother nature to make up for the lack of course creativity in the form of mud and water. It was not to be, the ground soaked up the rain like a sponge.
Dean lined up for the Cat 4 race donning Tutu. After rolling a tyre at Starcrossed Dean had something to prove and prove he did. Without a callup Dean managed to get a great start and put himself in the lead pack. The 4s field was HUGE, 75 guys minimum.
Dean's bike handeling and patience paid off. He smoothly navigated the course for three laps and put himself in the lead group of 5.
On the last two laps Dean dropped two or three guys and put himself in a great position for the finish.
Unfortunately on the final sprint Dean zigged when he should have zagged and got pinched out from coming around for the win. Congrats Dean for a 4th place finish.
Even though it's cross, the "peleton" (is that what they call themslves in the dirt?) considers themselves "serious" and could not resist jabbing the Tutu. "Is that the point's leaders Tutu?", "did you lose a bet", "tutu scare Mongo"...
Greg has been dying to get a cross clash sticker but can't seem to figure a way to get around his nemesis so far this season. Today, beating his nemesis was his MAIN goal and was feeding the race fire.
Gun goes off and Greg nailed the hole shot. Matt O. came around after "the crack" and took over leading the first lap. Greg sensed Matt fading back a bit and hit the gas big time. The field was huge and not broken up yet. Matt offered words of encouragement as Greg took off. Martin T and Brian B quickly responded and grabbed Greg's wheel.. And that's how it went for the next 6 laps. The three traded attacks and no one really pulled away.
The last time up the "hill" Greg hit the gas a little bit and Martin responded with his own attack. Martin managed to get a great line on the final turn and hold on down the home stretch. Greg held on for second but the elusive cross clash sticker rode away from Greg once again.
