July 20th, 2016

CXHairs Goes to Le Tour (2016 Edition)

John Kavouris

Editor’s Note: In The Crosshairs’ Grand Tour correspondent, John Kavouris, is once again at the Tour de France and capturing the sights for you, the cxhairs.com viewer. Check out John’s work at johnkavouris.com and follow along here for another installment of offseason fun.

Rest Day Recap – Week 2

If you remember from last year, In The Crosshairs spent part of the off-season covering of week 1 of the Tour de France. It was a fun time, it was a tiring time, and it was a major learning experience. Part straight race coverage, part behind the scenes, part travel-log, it was an experiment, really, that happened to work out pretty well. At the bare minimum, I was able to start from zero, acquire a credential, drive like hell for 8 days, push the shutter button a few times, and arrive at the other side unscathed and with pictures that weren’t totally atrocious, in my opinion. Continue reading “CXHairs Goes to Le Tour (2016 Edition)”

2016 races, Race Reports, The Big Picture, Uncategorized

January 19th, 2016

The Big Picture: 2016 U.S. Cyclocross Nationals (John Kavouris)

John Kavouris

The afterglow from the US Cyclocross National Championships continues to warm my soul, as temps here in Boston and elsewhere around the US continue to dip. For the past week, I’ve been trying to unpack exactly why, and I think I’ve come up with a succinct enough answer: Nats in Asheville was precisely the experience that top ‘crossers in the US deserve. The hype around the event is absolutely justified—the venue amenities were top notch, the whole parking/admission price ‘issues’ foreseen simply weren’t, and the course was phenomenal. At best, US cross racers will typically encounter a World Cup feature on their otherwise domestic course. No. Not here. Course designer Tim Hopkin crafted absolutely a World Cup-level course, packed with off-cambers, climbing, as well as sick descending. Even the weather cooperated perfectly – dumping just enough rain on course the night before, staying cold and dry all day, and developing into light flurries during the culminating Elite Men’s race. For a racer or fan in attendance, I don’t think one could have asked for better. Continue reading “The Big Picture: 2016 U.S. Cyclocross Nationals (John Kavouris)”

2015 Races, Race Reports, The Big Picture

December 17th, 2015

The Big Picture: NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Elite Men (Day 2)

John Kavouris

SICK WHAT!!!! New England local favorite Anthony Clark (Squid Bikes) brought home a HUGE win on day 2 of the NBX GP of ‘Cross, ahead of Dylan Mcnicholas (Polartec) in 2nd, and Curtis White (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld) in 3rd. This win was Clark’s first time on the top step of a UCI podium, and also scored Clark first place in the Verge overall series standings. Continue reading “The Big Picture: NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Elite Men (Day 2)”

2015 Races, Race Reports, The Big Picture

December 17th, 2015

The Big Picture: NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Elite Women (Day 2)

John Kavouris

After fading late the day prior, Emma White (CyclocrossWorld Development Team) struck back hard at day 2 of the NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross to take the win. She and Ellen Noble (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria) both went clear of the field in the first moments of the race, followed by Jenna Greaser (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria). After trading early attacks, Noble was eventually unable to respond to White and would have to settle for 2nd. Behind them, Greaser rode virtually all race solo – trailing White and Noble, but well ahead of any chasers. Her consistent performance over race clinched the 3rd spot on the podium. Continue reading “The Big Picture: NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Elite Women (Day 2)”

2015 Races, Race Reports, The Big Picture

December 8th, 2015

The Big Picture: NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Elite Men (Day One)

John Kavouris

After a lead group of five traded blows over the majority of the race, Jeremy Martin (Louis Garneu) emerged victorious from fray at day 1 of the NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross. Behind him, Anthony Clark (Squid Bikes) rode an aggressive race, driving the pace through many sections to secure 2nd. As a final survivor of some late-race attrition, the JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria team scored a bonus podium spot, with Jack Kisseberth taking 3rd place. Continue reading “The Big Picture: NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Elite Men (Day One)”

2015 Races, Race Reports, The Big Picture

December 7th, 2015

The Big Picture: NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Elite Women (Day 1)

John Kavouris

Ellen Noble (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria) and Emma White (CyclocrossWorld Development Team) returned from a brief jaunt of European racing to crush day 1 of the NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross. After White took a commanding lead over the first half of the race, Noble surged back in response to take and hold onto a lead for the win, with White in 2nd. Behind the pair, Arley Kemmerer (Level Eleven Racing) would hunt Jenna Greaser (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria) over the much of the race, ending in a dicey sprint with Kemmerer ultimately taking 3rd. Continue reading “The Big Picture: NBX Grand Prix of Cyclocross Elite Women (Day 1)”

2015 Races, Race Reports, The Big Picture

November 30th, 2015

The Big Picture: Supercross Cup Day 2 (Elite Men)

John Kavouris

Cameron Dodge (unattached) took a repeat-win at day 2 of the Supercross Cup. Dan Timmerman (Stan’s NoTubes Elite CX) improved upon the prior day’s podium, moving up to 2nd place, and U23 rider Scott Smith (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria) took 3rd. Continue reading “The Big Picture: Supercross Cup Day 2 (Elite Men)”

2015 Races, Race Reports, The Big Picture

November 30th, 2015

The Big Picture: Supercross Day 2 (Elite Women)

John Kavouris

Crystal Anthony swept the women’s elite races at the Supercross Cup, after riding away from the field and taking the win at day 2. Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D. Foundation) and Jenna Greaser (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria) fought for 2^nd and 3^rd over the entire race. Their fight continued to the final meters, with Fahringer holding off Greaser in the sprint for 2^nd and 3^rd. Continue reading “The Big Picture: Supercross Day 2 (Elite Women)”

2015 Races, Race Reports, The Big Picture, Uncategorized

November 25th, 2015

The Big Picture: Supercross Cup Day 1 (Elite Men)

John Kavouris

Cameron Dodge (Unattached) took the win at day 1 of the Supercross Cup in Stony Point, NY, riding a smooth and steady race over the slick and technically challenging course. Raleigh-Clement rider Kerry Werner fought back from several places down to finish 2nd, while Dan Timmerman (Stan’s NoTubes Elite CX) finished 3rd on the podium. Continue reading “The Big Picture: Supercross Cup Day 1 (Elite Men)”

2015 Races, Race Reports, The Big Picture

November 25th, 2015

The Big Picture: Supercross Cup Day 1 (Elite Women)

John Kavouris

Crystal Anthony (Boulder Cycle Sport/YogaGlo) finished with a solo win at day 1 of the Supercross Cup, attacking immediately to counter an early error. Behind her, course conditions would provoke an all-race battle for the 2nd and 3rd spots, with a mud-slicked and challenging course forcing errors and several riders swapping placings. Ultimately, Arley Kemmerer (Level Eleven Racing) would ride into 2nd place, followed by Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D. Foundation) for 3rd. Continue reading “The Big Picture: Supercross Cup Day 1 (Elite Women)”