The 2014 Cross Crusade Season Kicks off at Alpenrose Dairy, Jones and Chinburg Soar

written by Pat Malach

This will be the first time the Cross Crusade opens with back-to-back racing on the first weekend. © Pat Malach

United Healthcare road pro and former Rapha-Focus cyclocross rider Chris Jones won the opening salvo of the 2014 Cross Crusade Saturday at Alpenrose Dairy in Portland, Oregon, while River City Bicycles’ Megan Chinburg took the first women’s race of the series.

The more than 1,100 racers who showed up for the traditional opener at Alpenrose Dairy in Southwest Portland were greeted with morning rain after weeks of unseasonably warm and dry weather. Intermittent showers throughout the day kept the course slippery and technical for the elite men’s and women’s start at 1:15 p.m.

Between Charm City and Cross Crusade, Chris Jones’s return to cyclocross has been a warm welcome. © Pat Malach

Jones, who lives in Bend, powered away from the competition on the first lap and never lost the lead again. Giant’s Carl Decker led the chase behind, followed closely by Lance Haidet (Trek). Molly Cameron (Portland Bicycle Studio) bobbled early in the race and lost momentum, while Steve Fisher, fresh off the road racing season with Jelly Belly-Maxxis, led fellow Washington rider Adam McGrath.

After eight laps, Jones finished 24 seconds ahead of Decker, who won the opener at Alpenrose last year. Haidet was another second in arrears, rounding out the all-Bend podium in the men’s race. Fisher finished 47 seconds behind Jones to take fourth, followed 12 seconds later by McGrath in fifth.

Megan Chinburg led early and kept it for the opening race of the Cross Crusade Series. © Pat Malach

Chinburg also took the lead early in the women’s race and appeared to be in cruise control during the last of the seven laps for the women. The River City rider poured on the power, while 2013 Crusade series winner Serena Bishop (All Access Racing) surged into second. Portland Bicycle Studio’s Alexandra Burton finished third, followed by Speedvagen’s Laura Winberry in fourth and Cyclepath’s Julie Browning in fifth.

As always, the Northwest knows how to keep ’cross weird. © Pat Malach