NORBA NATIONAL 2 REPORTMARCH 21,
NORBA NATIONAL 2 REPORTMARCH 21,
This circuit was originally known as the Cactus Cup and then the Nova Desert Classic. It is still a favorite. This circuit is located in high desert and features steep climbs, open descents, and a treacherous terrain. (Cactus!) Punctures played an important role in many events, which became a common theme over the weekend. From the very first Texas event, the three-day stage race format was maintained.
The 2005 edition of the throw-out event is new. The National Champions will be determined in the following events: cross-country, super D, marathon, short track, and Super D. The XC points earned from this race are also determined by the overall classification scores from the Boerne opener. However, the short track finish is not included in the final National Short Track Series points total. Nova was the last NORBA National stage race in 2005.
STAGE ONE 8.2 MILE TRIAL
Eighteen miles is an extremely difficult distance to cover in a technical and tight course. This race saw Carl Decker (Giant), Ryan Trebon(Kona-Clarks-Les Gets), and Ricky Federau (Gears Racing), all finish flat. Geoff Kabush was half a second ahead of round one general class champ Adam Craig.
TIME TRIAL RESULTS
1. Geoff Kabush (Can.Maxxis27.4729 km/h)
2. Adam CraigGiantat 0.30
3. Trent Lowe (Aust)Subaru–Gary Fisher0.35
4. Jeremy Horgan-KobelskiSubaru-Gary Fisher0.37
5. Specialized0.42 by Liam Killeen (GBr).
WOMEN
1. Susan HaywoodTrek-VW32.0925 km/h
2. Willow KoerberSubaru–Gary Fisherat 0.15
3. Katerina Hanusova (Cze)Luna Chix0.18
4. Alison DunlapLuna Chix0.21
5. Shonny VanlandinghamLuna Chix0.22
STAGE II SHORT TACK
The second day of racing saw riders put forth an even greater effort. It took 20 minutes to complete three laps around the short track circuit, which is one mile long.
The elite turnout was so high that the men’s field had to split in half. Based on the results of time trials, Division 1 was comprised of the bottom half the general classification field. Division two was the top division. The top half of the second premier division was occupied by early aggressors Jeremy Horgan Kobelski and Trent Lowe. Geoff Kabush and Adam Craig were joined by Jeremiah Bishop, Sid Taberlay, Liam Killeen, and Geoff Kabush. After a brave effort by Todd Wells (Haro) and a successful bridge, the lead group grew almost unbelievably to two.
Craig and Bishop were both punctured in this race. Soon after Sheppard’s crash, the group split. After a few laps, the pack began to tighten up and Kabush took off. The chasers couldn’t organize a successful counterattack, and Kabush won the race solo.
Haywood continued racing on the second day by jumping in front and setting the pace. Willow Koerber, Katerina Hanusova and Haywood were the only riders who stayed and worked alongside Haywood at the halfway point. Koerber lost her place near the finish and it was down to a side by side dual between Haywood and Hanusova. It was close that Hanusova won the final by one knob.
SHORT TRACK RESULT
1. Geoff Kabush (Canadian)Team Maxxis
2. Todd WellsHyundai – GT
3. Trent Lowe (Aust)Subaru–Gary Fisher
4. Liam Killeen (GBr). Specialized
5. Jeremy Horgan-KobelskiSubaru-Gary Fisher
WOMEN
1. Katerina Hanusova (Cze)Luna Chix
2. Susan HaywoodTrek – VW
3. Willow KoerberSubaru–Gary Fisher
4. Kerry BarnholtSubaru–Gary Fisher
5. Melissa ThomasTokyo Joes
SHORT TRACK DIVISION 1 RECAP
Both Ricky Federau, Carl Decker, and Ryan Trebon fell in the time trial. All three rose quickly. Trebon fell again, while Cody Peterson (3D Racing), won the heat ahead Federau. Decker was fourth. Cody is U.S. National Short Track No 6. The GC top 10 list did not include any Division I players.
STAGE III CROSS COUNTRY
Cross-country racing was 6.2 miles long and took place over five laps for a total of 31 miles. The women’s race distance was 24.8 miles if they raced for just one lap less. It was tight, busy and inexorably undulating.
Geoff Kabush felt good and was looking for a sweep. Geoff Kabush immediately took over the lead and threw down the gauntlet. Todd Wells, Jeremy Horgan Kobelski, and Adam Craig were the only riders capable of matching the speed. They kept the group together for four laps, until Sid Taberlay and Liam Killeen of Specialized pulled the escapees in. Chris Sheppard made a solo heroic effort to grab the leaders as he climbed the only sustained climb of the course. Kabush also broke down and decided to do some serious damage. The Maxxis team leader fleding to flee found himself nearly one minute ahead of Kabush at the top that same climb. Kabush kept his feet on the pedal, while the chase group tried their best to survive.
After things settled down among the front-running GC women, Kathy Pruitt (Luna Chix), an ex Junior World Downhill champ, threw everyone for a loop. Kathy rode to first and led the climb. The climb broke apart the race except for the leader group, which included Mary McConneloug (NORBA Champ), Alison Dunlap (World Champ), Sue Haywood, Shonny Vanlandingham and Katerina Hanusova. First McConneloug attacked. Dunlap followed. The 2004 NORBA Champ Vanlandingham took the lead at half-way. As former Dunlap stayed back in the chase group, which still included Haywood, Koerber and McConneloug, team tactics were put into practice. Dunlop was there to help Haywood catch Vanlandingham. It was two Luna Chix against Trek-Vw and, not surprisingly, Vanlandingham won.
CROSS-COUNTRY RESULT
1. Geoff Kabush (Can.Maxxis)
2. Liam Killeen (GBr). Specialized
3. Jeremy Horgan-KobelskiSubaru-Gary Fisher
4. Adam CraigGiant
5. Todd WellsHyundai – GT
WOMEN
1. Shonny VanlandinghamLuna Chix
2. Alison DunlapLuna Chix
3. Susan HaywoodTrek – VW
4. Willow KoerberSubaru–Gary Fisher
5. Mary McConnelougKenda-Seven Cycles
OVERALL GENERAL Classification
1. Geoff Kabush (Can.Maxxis)
2. Liam Killeen (GBr). Specialized
3. Jeremy Horgan-KobelskiSubaru-Gary Fisher 4. Sid Taberlay (Aus)Specialized
5. Todd WellsHyundai – GT
WOMEN
1. Susan HaywoodTrek – VW
2. Willow KoerberSubaru–Gary Fisher
3. Shonny VanlandinghamLuna Chix
4. Alison DunlapLuna Chix
5. Katerina Hanusova (Cze)Luna Chix
81 MILE MARATHON
The endurance race was not part of the elite stage race. It was however race two in the national series. Amon Pease, a SoCal resident, and Chris Eatough, 24 Hour Solo World Champion, joined Jay Henry, Mike Jannells, Todd Helmuth, Ian Stanford in completing the first two laps of 27 miles together. On the final circuit, Eatough and Pease split. The semi-sponsored Intense rider lost, and Pease was defeated by Chris who took the win.
Melissa Thomas (Tokyo Joes), the woman in the women’s section, quickly established herself as the untouchable. Melissa rode to victory and then she just sat back and watched. Next, Monique Sawicki, NORBA Marathon Champ, battled Jennifer Bennet and Marla Streb for the runner-up spot. The distance covered by the women was the same as that of the men. Sawicki rode away with the two other riders during the third round. Only four women completed the entire 81 mile distance. Last year, Melissa was second to Monique.
MARATHON RESULT
1. Chris EatoughTrek-VW4.51.11
2. Ian StanfordNatureValleyat 7.25
3. Jay HenryFord-Specialized12.40
4. Mike JannellTokyo Joes13.09
5. Todd HelmuthTrek15.20
WOMEN
1. Melissa ThomasTokyo Joes5.34.20
2. Monique SawickiWarriors Societyat 12.44
3. Marla StrebLuna Chix25.41
4. Jennifer BennettTitus49.41
SUPER D
This was the first gravity national for the year. The course of 10 miles was mostly downhill. It was a Le Mans-style start. Only the names of the winners, Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain Business Objects), and Marla Streb (“Luna Chix”) were released.
