Everyone wish this rider crashed more and got covered with a lot more mud. © Janet Hill
2009 Race Report:
SSCXWC Rocks Through Thunderdome, Moves to Seattle: Portland may be ready to pass off the SSCXWC (SingleSpeed Cyclocross World Championships, that is) after playing host for the past three years, but the city sure as hell gave the race a royal send-off. The day’s prelude was round seven of the Cross Crusade series, a full day of races from 9am to 4pm that typically attracts 1,300 to 1,500 racers. Although those numbers might represent the annual attendance in some cyclocross regions, today it was just the hors d’oeuvre.
Does this guy look familiar? Raleigh’s Sally concentrates knowing that he needs to look like Seattle didn’t buy its way to becoming the 2010 host city. © Janet Hill
On the line were both the coveted Golden Speedos with world champion rainbow stripes that go to the winners of the men’s and women’s fields as well as event ownership for 2010. 2008 champ and Canadian Drew MacKenzie, fresh off of his win at NISSCCOTU repeated to keep his title with a substantial margin over the chasers. 19 year-old Portlander Joshua Berry came in 2nd. Kari Studley (VeloBella / Ellsworth) took home the women’s crown and her hometown Seattle brought the heat to the cold, wet weekend to take over as event host. Frankly, it was the latter competition that seemed to be the priority for most. That and having a chance to let loose, parade around in costumes and on various rigs, and, generally, enjoy.
