Jake Wells photos from Joe Sales
Jake Wells at Star Crossed just a few days prior to Cross Vegas, a top ten finish in a BIG time race for the working man's Crosser. Jake's been featured in a great article in the newest issue of CX Magaxine.
My photos leave much to be desired from Cross Vegas, but they are so crappy they are kind of cool, well kind of, and the vij was influenced by beer, but the racing was awesome.
The top five women separated early, then Nash put down the Mega Hammer and said "see ya".
The crowds were large during the men's open race, and pretty damn big during the women's open race as well. Brook Watts has this thing wired, too bad it's going to change big time as Interbike now leaves Vegas.
Cross Vegas is a spectacle, there is no doubt about that, it's one of the premier cycling events to participate and spectate at each season. This year was no different as the Wheelers race was huge, and the women's race had plenty of heavy hitters despite the fact Katie Compton could not defend as she was just on the verge of coming back from injuries she received in a bad crash at the world mtb's this season. (bad for Katie, good for the rest of the field). Mary McConneloug, Katerina Nash, Amy Dumbrowski, Georgia Gould and Susan Butler formed the lead group early, just ahead of Meredith Miller. Mid race saw Nash absolutely bury herself and ride 70% of the remainder of the race OUT OF THE SADLLE to kill the competition with Dombrowski, Gould and McC chasing. The BIG move of this race was unfortunately missed by the announcers when Amy Dombrowski viciously attacked on the steep climb on the back of the course to gap Gould and Marry McC. Dombrowski was able to hold off the late charge at the line to hold on for second...watch out for this one.
The men's race was a nail biter and unfortunately for our local fans of J Dubs here in the Vail Valley, Jake missed the initial break at the front after a just ok call up in 29th position. The pace at the front of this race every year is just downright rediculous, it's gotta be one of the fastest CX courses period. Don't listen to the stories of soft grass slowing racers, these guys PIN it. The large group off the front early included all the favs, and then Driscoll goes off, big time and early. The chasers sit tight until two to go, and Trebon goes to the front and just does the deal reeling in Driscoll. Of course Frenchy Mourey was waiting in the shadows to jump the sprint for the win. As for Jake Wells, I mean the guy actually bridged to the lead group twice, solo the first time, which is just not something anyone is physically supposed to be able to do, and that effort not only hurt him later, but it enabled him to stay away from a large chase group for the second half of the race and finish 17th in a outstanding field of national and international racers. As for me, I just drank alot of beer and tried to call out words of encouragement to friends racing and keep Jake informed of time gaps, it was a hell of alot of fun, so much so I ended up drinkin well into Thursday....touche. It's Vegas baby.
Elvis Kicked it off, of course. Don't believe the Katie Schtick, the announcers told the crowd she was in, she was not...
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