Tuning Up for Cyclocross

Cyclocross racing started up in the region this weekend with three tune-up races over two days. On Saturday, Kingwood Park in Cincinnati hosted Lionhearts CX, and Huber's Applecross offered two days of racing on the Joe Huber Family Farm near Borden, IN. Around 350 total racers participated in the three events, which appears to be a sign of big things to come when everyone converges into the first OVCX race.

A few Bloomington racers tested their early season fitness at the Huber's Applecross weekend. The course was located further away from the main farm and resturant site this year, taking place at "the lake house" down the road. This afforded the racers their own separate parking and a nice pavilion for the festivities. The course featured smooth, swoopy sections and some gravel straightaways, but also a sandpit with an 180 degree turn, a short run-up, and the inevitable bumpy trip through the apple orchard.

Fred Rose proved to be Bloomington's big winner for the weekend, as he fought off hungy up-and-comers to take first place in the Men's Elite 45+ category both days. Ryan Preske garnered a fourth place finish in the Men's Cat 3 on Saturday, while Lindsay Rodkey earned a spot on the Women's Cat 3/4 podium with a third place. Chris Wood and Timothy Nixon also represented Bloomington in the Men's Cat 4 race on Sunday.



Results for Lionhearts CX and Huber's Applecross can be found here and here.

Next Sunday will kick off the OVCX series Fisherman's Park in Louisville, KY. Pre-registration closes at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, so get your entry in soon.

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=13943