Upshaw Escapes, Sherer Slaughters at Chicago’s Cross for Life

by Julie Popper, photos © Amy Dykema

Sunday’s Ed Brophy Memorial Cross for Life, a chilly roller-coaster of a race in Woodstock, IL, brought a fierce battle for the win in the Women’s 1/2/3 field and a landslide victory in the Men’s 1/2/3. Fans were out in force with the not-USAC-legal hot dog and beverage handups, and some vicious transitions from grass to pavement had riders running for the pit. The race benefited the Leukemia Society and organizers from North Branch Cycling put their hearts into building a hilly course with some great singletrack sections and some steep but serious climbs.

In the Women’s 1/2/3, from the first lap a battle between June Upshaw (Verdigris), Jessica Hill (Trail’s End), and Holly Klug (Killjoy) found its way off the front. They traded places for a lap or so before Upshaw began to make a gap on Klug and held off for the win. This promises an exciting series finale at Montrose, with Upshaw just 45 points ahead in the series standing, a gap Klug could make up with a little luck and some smart riding.

In the Men’s 1/2/3, nationally ranked Mike Sherer (Pony Shop) made the trip up north to once again slaughter the field from the beginning, lapping all but a handful of the field even on the long 2.1 mile loop. The real race was for second but was decided when a flat took contender Kevin Klug (Killjoy) off Scott McLaughlin’s (SRAM) wheel and back to DFL. He battled valiantly to come back for a fifth place finish, but McLaughlin seized the opportunity and rode a solid race solo for second, followed by Brian Conant (Pony Shop) in third. McLaughlin has officially clinched the series title in this category, but the state championship jersey will be up for grabs at Montrose.

Rider Andrew Nordyk (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew) made his presence in the Men’s 1/2/3 race known by riding past his team’s signature school bus and calling out his orders for handups: hot dogs, polish sausages, and beverages. His team kept him well fueled through the race with a reported three root beers and two hot dogs, resulting in his relegation from last place in the race to last place due to breaking not one but three USAC rules: two of them being support only in the pit, and no glass containers on the course. The Cuttin’ Crew has been bringing their brand of superfandom to the ChiCrossCup all season long and has raised the bar for noisemaking.The Pony Shop also made their mark at Woodstock with wins in not just the Men’s 1/2/3 but also in the Master’s 30+ and registering Pony riders for a whopping 18 races. For a small team, their commitment to cross speaks for itself!

With just one race remaining in the ChiCrossCup series, winners have locked the series title in all but the Women’s and Category 4 races. Still, racers will take the line at traditionally frigid Montrose Beach in two weeks to vie for the state championship title while fans try desperately to fight what’s always been a sub-zero windchill.

Full results: