Nebraska Cycling News

Tilford (HRRC-Specialized) was on form again Sunday
Photo: Mike Madcharo

Saturday's heavy rains combined with the day's strong northeast winds created a fast, tacky circuit, which was run in the opposite direction of Saturday's race. The cold and damp conditions did little to slow down Tilford, who is preparing to race in New Zealand later this month.

"This weather is very similar to what we will experience in Auckland," commented Tilford prior to Sunday's race. "Today will be great training for next week."

The start of the 60-minute Men's A event mirrored saturday's race with Tilford and LBC/Highgear rider, Tony Wilhelm charging off the line and stretching the field heading on to the trail portion of the 1-mile circuit. Powering into the first turn, Wilhelm slid and was forced to unclip to avoid falling. Tilford pounced on Wilhelm's misstep getting out of the saddle and stringing out the 11 man field with only HRRC-Specialized teammate Bill Stolte, LBC/Highgear rider Jay Thomas and a resilient Wilhelm able to match the surge.

After only three laps, Tilford extended his lead on the three man chase group and lapped all of the riders in the field except for Stolte, who finished second overall. Thomas crossed in third with Wilhelm fourth and Monkeywrench Cycles/KONA rider, Jesse Petersen rounding out the podium in fifth. 

Steve Tilford (HRRC-Specialized) picked up where he left off in the 2004 Nebraska Cyclo-cross State Championship with a win in Men's A race saturday afternoon at Standing Bear Lake in northwest Omaha.

The 2005 Nebraska Cyclo-cross Series begins this weekend with two days of racing on Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23 at Standing Bear Lake in west Omaha. The 6th annual Nebraska Cyclo-cross Series will award $700 in cash prizes at each event and offer a separate Women’s event and the addition of a “Singlespeed” race category. This is the opening weekend of the 6-race series, which will also feature races in Lincoln and Raymond. Racing begins at 12:00pm on Saturday with the Women’s race at 12:45pm and the Men’s “A” event at 3:00pm. Sunday’s races kick-off at 10:00a.m.with the Women’s race at 10:45a.m. and the Men’s “A” event at 12:30p.m. The complete race schedule and other race information is available at www.nebraskacycling.org/cyclo-cross.