In The Crosshairs

The Mid-Atlantic cyclocross scene visited Leesburg, Virginia November 23 for Squadra Coppi’s Tacchino Ciclocross. Racers were treated to crisp conditions and a challenging course. We got some great responses for this race. If you want to know how the top racers in the Mid-Atlantic take care of business, keep on reading.
Here are my takeaways: (1) [...]

1. What was the best part of the course? What was the worst?
WESTON SCHEMPF (Elite Men 1st Place): The entire course was great, but if I had to choose one section it would be the section from after the pit the first time through the choppy ride up (3rd up hill) and the second section [...]

2. Pre-race ritual, warm-up, food, etc.?
STEPHEN CUMMINGS: Amazing espresso from our hosts’ Super Automatic machine. Bagels with peanut butter and honey and raisins, a bit of dark chocolate before the start and a Hammer gel. I pre-rode the course for 3 laps and sat on a trainer to stay warm for about 20 minutes before [...]

3. Did you overdress, underdress or get it just right?
STEPHEN CUMMINGS: I think I did it right. Long-fingered gloves, long-sleeved skinsuit, sleeveless base-layer. Wool socks. SPORTSBALM hot balm!

MATTHEW PARSE: I got it just right … just a jersey, shorts, and arm warmers.
GREG FABER: Just right: tights, wool socks, under armor base layer, long sleeve [...]

4. Describe your winning (or losing) move.
WESTON SCHEMPF: After a not so great start I knew I wanted to lead through the chicane before the sketchy gravel turn so I made a move up the left side of the pack on the second pavement section to gain the lead. I pushed it on the first [...]

5. Did you win a suitcase of sausage?
[Ed. Note: I realize that this was a mid- pack preme, which means most likely these guys would not have been in contention, but when handed such an opportunity this is a question you can't pass up.]
STEPHEN CUMMINGS: I am a vegetarian. [Ed. Note: Me, too. I [...]

6. What is something you saw a newbie do that made you think “I really need to have a friendly word with that guy”?
STEPHEN CUMMINGS: I really hate seeing people ride around without helmets. There was a kids’ race, and we are who they see and try to emulate. We all know that we [...]

7. Are you sandbagging? If not, defend yourself.
STEPHEN CUMMINGS: I am reverse sandbagging in that I should probably be racing the B’s.
MATTHEW PARSE: No, I have only won one race in my category and I have been shelled plenty of times. It is time to move up a category if you are consistently beating [...]

8. Racing next week? What will you do differently, what will you try to repeat?
KRISTOPHER AUER: Yep and I’ll get there on time.
WESTON SCHEMPF: Yes. As next weekend’s races are more for training, I’ll probably sit in more and watch the race develop rather than going to the front right away. I’ll work on a [...]

9. Do you have a coach? If so, where has coaching helped?

GREG FABER: Yes. Structure, motivation, workout variety and type.
IAN MATHIAS: Not officially, but I’ve had a ton of help from Dan Warnick and Sean Galegher, who own HVB, and Dave Weaver from Alan NA. All three of them have been huge in my [...]