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Washington State CX Championships - Arlington

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S.C.X. #7 - FINALS/Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe

On Sunday, November 25th, the team headed to the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe for the final installment of the Seattle Cyclocross Series.  The Cycle U-PopCap cyclocross team had several members in good position for the overall titles, but the final race was worth double points...and anything could happen.

  In the Elite Men's race, Evan Renwick was finally back after missing a few races from illness.  Renwick went on to finish in 17th place.  In the 35+ Master's race Jason Jablonski looked good to win the Overall Series title barring disaster, and Chad Berg was making his first race appearance in three weeks, still recovering from a back injury.  Jablonski pulled clear of his biggest threat for the overall, and began to battle with Shimano's Ronnie Schmeer.  The two took turns at the front all the way through the final lap, with Schmeer eeking out Jablonski for the win in a sprint.  However, Jablonski was the big success story as he became the 2012 S.C.X. Masters 35+ Champion!

  In the Masters 45+ race, Cycle U-PopCap's Sean Kelsey and Mafia's Jeff Beltramini were in a near tie for the overall series title.  Whoever one the battle between the two, would be awarded with the series championship.  Midway through the race, Beltramini put in a huge effort to pull clear of Kelsey by nearly 10 seconds.  Kelsey maintained his composure and continued to let Beltramini dangle out front alone and tire as Kelsey kept the gap in check.  With two laps to go, Kelsey reeled him in and went around him and began to pull clear.  Kelsey finished alone winning his 3rd race of the year and the became the 2012 S.C.X. Masters 45+ Champion.

Kristy Kelsey focused.

Jason Jablonski attempts to pull clear of Ronnie Schmeer.

Sean Kelsey heading to another win.

Berg trying to make up time after two bike changes and a bloody knee.

In the Elite Women's race, a chance for the overall title was nearly unattainable, but the remaining podium spots were still up for grabs.  Team riders Melanie Lewis, and Kristy Kelsey got things started off good with the hot pace set by Courtney McFadden and Carrie Studley.  Lewis took her chances early and gave chase hoping to put a gap between her and the others, while Kelsey was forced to battle it out with a couple of other chasers.  Kelsey eventually pulled clear to sit firmly in 4th while just ahead, Lewis held her own staying focused to finish on 3rd place for the day.  Their work was awarded with Kelsey finishing 2nd overall and her teammate Lewis next on the podium step in 3rd.

 

Evan Renwick back on track.

Melanie Lewis pushing hard in the drops.

  The Cycle U-PopCap Cyclocross Team is extremely proud of the accomplishments made by the riders with two overall championships and four out of six riders finishing in the top three overall results.  Next weekend, the team will come North to the Arlington Airport for the Washington State Championships to an all new venue/course as they look to hopefully take away some State medals.

S.C.X. #6/Steilacoom V2

 On Sunday, November 18th the Cycle U-PopCap cyclocross team once again ventured down to Lakewood in Pierce County to compete in round six of the Seattle Cyclocross Series with precious points on the line as the series winds down.
  The men started off very strong with Jason Jablonski breaking away with series threat, Rainer Leuschke of Blue Rooster.  At the halfway point through the race, Jablonski broke clear of Leuschke and rode clear all the way to the finish line for his 4th win of the season.  This gave Jablonski a more comfortable lead in the series as the finals loomed the following weekend.
  In the 45+ race, Sean Kelsey had a slim lead over Mafia Racing's Jeff Beltramini.  Within a lap, Kelsey and Beltramini pulled clear of the rest of the field and began to exted their lead, taking turns on the front.  While riding adjacent to the pit area, Kelsey's chain bounced off his chainring on a very bumpy section of the course, getting lodged beneath his chain guide.  Unfortunately, Kelsey had alread passed the pit exit, and even though Team Director, Chad Berg had his spare bike right there, next to Kelsey, by the USA cycling rules, he could not provide the bike or assistance.  Very frustrated yet remaining calm, Kelsey worked to free his chain, as Beltramini rode away solo for the win.  Kelsey eventually freed the chain and had to settle for 18th place nearly a full lap off of what was sure to be a winning ride.
  In the women's race, Melanie Lewis rode a strong race to finish in 2nd while teammate Kristy Kelsey came in shortly after in 4th.  The next race will be the finals at the Evergreen fairgrounds in Monroe where the Series champions will be awarded and the remaining podium positions will be sought after.



RESULTS:

Sean Kelsey  18th
Jason Jablonski  1st
Melanie Lewis  2nd
Kristy Kelsey  3rd

M.F.G. #6/FINALS - Woodland Park/Seattle

RESULTS:

Melanie Lewis  2nd
Kristy Kelsey  8th
Jason Jablonski  5th
Sean Kelsey  16th


  Melanie Lewis finished the M.F.G. Series in 2nd place overall!

S.C.X. #5/Enumclaw = WINS!

  On Sunday, November 4th, the team headed South to the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw, for round five of the Seattle Cyclocross Series.  The course has become a favorite to many riders with it's intimidating steep run-up, greasy off camber sections, mud, mud, and some more technical mud riding. 

Kelsey celebrating his commanding win.

Jablonski at the top of the run up, just after dropping his last challenger to win.

  Even though, teammate Chad Berg was not starting due to a minor back injury, and teammate Evan Renwick was still unable to race battling being sick, Jason Jablonski and Sean Kelsey picked up the slack from the start for the Cycle U-PopCap Mens squad.  In the 35+ category, Jablonski got the whole shot and within a couple of laps was out front with only Audi Cycling's Todd Davis to keep him company.  The pair worked together for most of the race until finally, Jablonski had had enough and shook Davis loose and pinned it.  Jablsonski won his 2nd race in as many weeks and took another step in retaining his lead in the Series.  In the 45+ field, Kelsey took to the front immediately as well, and pretty much dropped the entire field, continuing on buidling his gap every lap to include catching all but 3 riders that started over a full minute ahead in another category.  Kelsey killed 'em out there, and chalked up his second win at Enumclaw, following his win last year as well.  Nice work fellas!


Kelsey pins it to capitalize on Cutler's dropped chain.



Melanie Lewis rails another corner on her way to 5th place.

  In the Women's race, Kristy Kelsey and Melanie Lewis were licking their chops at getting a chance to race on a course that suited their abilities as two of the best technical riders in the Elite Women's field.  Their race spreaded out rather quickly with Kelsey settling in to 4th and Lewis sitting right behind in 5th.  With a couple of laps to go, the Cycle U-PopCap girls kicked it in, and started to chase down the front end of the race.  Kelsey was making ground on Cyclocrossracing.com's Jessica Cutler who appeared to be fading.  With half a lap to go, Kelsey caught up to Cutler just as Cutler dropped her chain after the set of Beer Garden barriers.  Kelsey knew this was her opportunity, but Cutler quickly fixed her chain and began chasing down Kelsey.  With merely a quarter of a mile left, Cutler went past Kelsey who had nothing left to answer with following such a vigorous chase.  Kelsey came in just after with a solid 4th place and Lewis was shortly behind in 5th.  Both teammates have been very consistant in their results this year which is paying off in series points as the last few big races remain on the schedule.
  RESULTS:

Jason Jablonski  - 1st
Sean Kelsey      - 1st
Kristy Kelsey    - 4th
Melanie Lewis   - 5th

  Next Sunday, the Cycle U-PopCap will head down to Seattle for the now iconic Woodland Park venue for the M.F.G. Finals, where they look to once again make their mark in the elite fields.