Crossin' in Minnesota

Red Barn CX Photos courtesy of Linsey Hamilton

2 great races in Minnesota this weekend, Red Barn CX in Taylors Falls and Crossniacs Fridley Fall Back in Fridley. Jordan stormed to his 2nd Cat 3 CX win of the season at Red Barn, and then finished runner-up to Planet Bike teammate Linda Sone at Fridley Fall Back. I raced at Red Barn, and managed to NOT finish last.

Jordan's performance at Red Barn was fun to watch. He took the hole shot and never looked back. He steadily pulled away from the trio of Dave Oachs, Nils Boberg, and Dan Jacobson. Halfway in, Jordan was 30 secs up on Oachs and Boberg, with Jacobson dropping back a little. Jordan cruised in for the win, with Oachs gapping Boberg before the finish. Great job by all.

Fridley Fall Back was a bigger test for Jordan for several reasons. He had some gear problems, where he was unable to use his big ring, and he could not get into his upper cogs on his cassette. This kept him from being able to really open in up in the straights, and forced him to run-up a hill section, that others with smaller gears could ride. But that's cross racing. Bikes act up from time to time, and you have to deal with it. Jordan did admirably. On top of that, he struggled in the pinwheel portion of the course, mainly due to poor tire choice on my part.

Jordan was able to get away early in the race, then Planet Bike teammate Linda Sone and Nils Boberg bridged up to him. The three traded pulls, but Jordan struggled in the pinwheel. Late in the race, Linda and Jordan were able to distance themselves from Boberg and it looked like the 2 would finish together. However, Linda gapped Jordan in the pinwheel, and Boberg caught back up to Jordan. Linda won handily, with it coming down to a close sprint for second, with Jordan just beating Boberg. Great race to watch, and a good learning experience for Jordan.

It just goes to show you that different courses favor different riders. Sone was 10th in the Cat 3's at Red Barn, then wins the next day in Fridley. Well done.