Mike Cushionbury
Mike Cushionbury
Every rider knows at least one person who is self-centered and thinks he rides faster than what he actually does. Mbaction.com is me. I spend hours analyzing roady-boy results online and chatting about heart rate and power outputs.
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WORLD CUP CROSS COUNTRY #1-Napa CA
Mary Grigson and Bas Van Dooren were the big winners. Any signs of the so-called mountain biking recession were almost non-existent at Napa World Cup, which was the opening round in the World Cup cross country. Last year’s venue was lost due to environmental concerns. This year, the venue was moved to Domaine Chandon in the hills, which is famous for its sparkling wines. We were actually in Yountville, a tiny village located about 10 minutes north from Napa. The course was cut on singletrack at 60 percent with some fireroad climbs. It wound around the vineyard. The length of the course was 4 miles and there were 182.9m of climbing per lap. Top men were able to complete laps in under 20 minutes, while the top women managed just 20 minutes. People came out in large numbers to witness a great bike race. They weren’t disappointed. The course was well-received by riders, but it was difficult to find a rhythm on the bumpy, rough course, according to Polo-Sports Jimena Flowerit.
Some may believe that Be-Ones Bas van Dooren was Sunday’s man of the day, but it was Gary Fisher. According to the self-described founder of dirt, he was known for his electric blue hair and hot pink shirt. He also wore black pants with suspenders and black trousers. He explained to me why he needed bright pink Sugar/SAAB socks and his black and white stripe striped knee socks. In obedient homage to Gary, I donned pink socks too. Gary’s female team members dominated the pro women’s class, taking three of the top five spots, with Mary Grigson, the winner from Australia.
WOMEN
The GTs duo Laurence Leboucher & Alison Dunlap pulled the field through two parade laps before climbing the first climb. Grigson, Specialized Subarus Marga Fullana, Fisher-SAABs Paola Perzzo, and Grigson remained at the front by the end of the first lap. Leboucher led the chase group, which included Alison Sydor from Volvo-Cannondale.
The chase group picked up speed and created a 10-rider group with Scotts Barbara Blatter (who later DNFd), Fullana (who later DNFd), Grigson (who later DNFd), Sydor, Pezzo), Fullana (who later DNFd), Grigson (who later DNFd), Grigson), Fisher-SAABs Chrissy Redden (who later flatted), Leboucher, and Volkswagen-Treks Chantal daucourt (who later he This group had three Fisher riders, which was key to the victory. Here’s what Grigson, the winner, said. Chrissy blocked the third lap and I started the climb. I was feeling great. Paola also blocked. My descent gave me the confidence and strength to continue climbing. Grigson was out descending other riders. The 30-second lead at top of the climb was quickly increased to 45 seconds the next lap. Grigson, Alison Dunlap and Pezzo extended their lead to just over two minutes at the finish. Sydor managed to get away from the three-rider group consisting of Redden, Pezzo, and herself to take third.
Mary Grigson has been riding for the Australian national team for several years, and this was her first race with a large team. It was impressive, no doubt. Especially considering that she has only done base training and has not done any high-intensity riding yet.
1. Mary Grigson (AUS),Gary Fisher-SAAB
2. Alison Dunlap (USA). GT
3. Alison Sydor (CAN) Volvo-Cannondale
4. Paola Pezzo (ITA) Gary Fisher-SAAB
5. Chrissy Redden (CAN), Gary Fisher-SAAB
MEN
Pro men finished the parade laps one minute quicker than women, with all 139 participants in a group that only had 45 seconds between first and last place. The start of seven laps was a fast one. Only a few back markers would be lapped twice by leaders. Filip Meirhaeghe, Specialized-Subarus, led the first lap, but quickly fell to 15th. He then DNFd from an allergic reaction to dust. His team claims that he has had this condition since childhood, but it has never been a problem in a race. The leaders group consisted of Be-Ones Bas van Dooren, Haro–Lee Dungarees Michael Rassmussen, and Full Dynamix teammates Miguel Martinez & Marco Bui. Things were changing by the end of the second lap with Martinez leading a group which included Ritchey-Yahoo! Thomas Frischknecht and Van Dooren, Rassmussen were riding, as was Giants Christophe Dupouey and GTs Roland Green, on a full-suspension I-Drive.
Another shake-up occurred on the third lap. Van Dooren, Martinez and a few others broke away from the pack with a lead of 45 seconds. Rassmussen (and Marcel Heller) of the Arrow Swiss Bike Team chased Green just ahead. Bui, Frischy, Dupouey, and Bart Brentjens were all Subaru-Specializeds five minutes later.
The Van Dooren/Martinez couple was the best. Van Dooren stated that Martinez pulled up the hills and down the flats until he began to show signs of weakness. Bas described Martinez’ slow death as Bas. Van Dooren attacked Martinez with two laps left and it stuck (even with Bas’s two crashes on the descents). Green tried to drop Heller, but couldn’t do it. He was too exhausted by the end to keep third. Brentjens dropped out of the top five after five laps, fell to 15th and then returned to take fifth place.
The USA’s RLX Polo-Sports Carl Swenson won the hardluck award. He was in contention for a top-ten placement, but he lost his chance with a double flat. This was the Volvo-Cannondales Tinker Juarez who took home the American top honor in a disappointing 35th.
1. Bas Van Dooren (NED) Be-One
2. Miguel Martinez (FRA) Full Dynamix
3. Marcel Heller (SWI), Arrow Swiss
4. Roland Green (CAN), GT
5. Bart Brentjens (NED) Subaru-Specialized
That’s all for Napa. Now I head to Mazatlan, Mexico for round two. It’s the first time that a World Cup has ever been to Mexico so it should be an amazing event. It’s not clear how I will get from my little nook in the north of Los Angeles to Mexico. I could drive to Tijuana, then take a bus, or my wife might tell me to spend more time at home. I might hook up the dually to the mobile house and bring the wife, cats and all the enchilada down to Mexico for a bit of R & R.
