UCI3 replay

Big weekend of cross in Cincinatti this past weekend with 3 days of high quality racing under high temperatures. Most consistent Bloomington performer was Andy Messer who finish top 4 in all three Elite masters races including standing on the podium after Saturdays Java Johnnys race in Middleton. That race was highlighted by a Bloomington battle between Messer and Fred Rose which the latter lost in a tight sprint. That was a real quality ride from Rose who kept the pressure on eventual winner Mark Legg for much of the day before slotting in behind Messer for the remainder of the race.

Pam Loebig was a two-time podium finisher with a pair of third places in the Cat3/4 womens race. Admitedly not riding as much as in previous years, Pam's good finishes highlight her residual fitness and bike handling abilities! Elizabeth Cobb finished 4th on Saturday after battling with Pam but was struck with bad luck after puncturing at the very start of Sundays race, had to run a LONG way UPHILL to the pit before recomposing herself to finish 7th.
In the Elite Mens races, the weekend was highlighted by Ryan Knapp's 8th place on Friday and Mike Sherers 10th place in the big C1 race on Sunday. Remember that these races are the best in the US and aside from maybe 5 other riders, the cream of the US cyclocross talent was in Cincinnatti.
Knapp gutting it out on Friday- photo by Podium Insight

These results might not seem as gaudy as recent results on the road but in national terms they are real quality. In sunday's race the sandpit section was like a beach where temperatures soared into 90s but Sherer gritted it out solo for most of the race to take his best result of the cross season and on his birthday as well!
Check out Podium Insight for photos.