magnolialover
12-09-2004, 12:35 PM
Anyone out there have any favorites for cross nationals this weekend in Portland OR? Or anyone going to check out the action?
Elite Men:
Sorry, it's going to have to be Jon Page. He's head and shoulders above the rest right now after racing in Europe all cross season, and riding against the best in the world. The competition in the US is improving, but it is still behind cross hotbeds such as Belgium and The Netherlands. Although, I read somewhere recently, they are thinking about having some cyclocross world cups in the US next year, or possibly the year after. If J. Page falters for some reason though, watch out for The Tree Farm, aka Ryan Trebon. Kid is on a tear. And my personal favorite is Adam Craig. That might be the podium folks. Then again, you do have the feisty Mark McCormack.
U-23 Men:
Jeremy Powers. Who has also been racing in Europe all year. Watch for him to rip some legs off of people in the U-23 race.
Elite Women:
I'm going to have to go with Ann Grande-Knapp. She's been strong all season long, no Alison Dunlap to beat. Mary McConolough (sp?) though could take the win from Ann, we'll see. Once again, my personal favorite, Mandy Lozano. I wouldn't be surprised to see her take a podium spot (top 5).
Should be good racing, and checking the weather, it looks nice and rainy out there this weekend in Portland. Mud galore folks, mud galore.
Elite Men:
Sorry, it's going to have to be Jon Page. He's head and shoulders above the rest right now after racing in Europe all cross season, and riding against the best in the world. The competition in the US is improving, but it is still behind cross hotbeds such as Belgium and The Netherlands. Although, I read somewhere recently, they are thinking about having some cyclocross world cups in the US next year, or possibly the year after. If J. Page falters for some reason though, watch out for The Tree Farm, aka Ryan Trebon. Kid is on a tear. And my personal favorite is Adam Craig. That might be the podium folks. Then again, you do have the feisty Mark McCormack.
U-23 Men:
Jeremy Powers. Who has also been racing in Europe all year. Watch for him to rip some legs off of people in the U-23 race.
Elite Women:
I'm going to have to go with Ann Grande-Knapp. She's been strong all season long, no Alison Dunlap to beat. Mary McConolough (sp?) though could take the win from Ann, we'll see. Once again, my personal favorite, Mandy Lozano. I wouldn't be surprised to see her take a podium spot (top 5).
Should be good racing, and checking the weather, it looks nice and rainy out there this weekend in Portland. Mud galore folks, mud galore.