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Specialized Named Official Bike Sponsor for the California Giant Berry Farms USA Cycling National Cyclo-cross Championships
Specialized S-Works Tricross will be seen en masse throughout the weekend at 'cross nats
Organizers of the cyclo-cross national championships proudly welcome back Specialized as the official bike sponsor for this year's event. To celebrate more than 30 years of American cyclo-cross, Specialized returns to Providence to showcase its latest products plus cheer on the nearly 2,000 riders racing for a chance at a national title.
"When you trace the roots of American cyclo-cross you go back to Northern California in the 1970s. There are parallels between this great company and this great sport," said Communications Director Richard Fries. "This is a company that is not afraid to be bold. Look what they did with the Stumpjumper, making a high-end bike available to consumers worldwide. Then look at their S-Works Tricross line of cyclo-cross bikes introduced this year. It's bold."
Look for Specialized bikes underneath racers like Chris Horner, world-class roadie whose pro campaign includes stints in the Tour de France, San Francisco Grand Prix, and Tour de Suisse. The Cal Giant squad will also place its bid for a national title through defending national champion, Justin Robinson, and Chance Noble, who will race in the U-23 category.
Check out what else Specialized has to offer at http://www.specialized.com/
Weather for the weekend will be in the hospitable 50s, which is rugged for racers who have an advantage in the snow but great for our friends at Specialized who braved last year's weather to come back for a second time!
Riders to Watch: The Dirty Dozens
Based on UCI rankings as of December 11, any of these racers could be pulling on the Stars-and-Stripes jersey at the end of the day. Some already own a national champion's jersey (or two), some will be looking to wear one for the first time.
Here are your potential national champions in order:
Men
Ryan Trebon (Konaa)
He is the undisputed favorite. He won four of the six races in the Crank Brothers US Grand Prix series, then went to Europe where he hit a top 10 last week in a Super Prestige race. He happens to be the U.S. Mountain Bike cross country champion.
Tim Johnson (Cannondale/cyclocrossworld.com)
The local hero, Johnson stands the best chance of beating Trebon in front of the New England crowd. He beat Trebon to win in Portland, Ore., and then won three consecutive UCI races to tune up for nationals.
Barry Wicks (Kona)
The U.S. national short track mountain bike champion, Wicks scored the thrilling victory of his career winning the Boulder Cup in a four-up sprint. Reports indicate his fitness is at peak.
Mark McCormack (Clif Bar)
Given the weather forecast, McCormack could pull off an amazing upset. A former national champion in both cyclo-cross and road, McCormack is the best sprinter in the field. If he is there with one to go, he will win.
Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly)
Leading the youth movement, this Connecticut native became a regular on the podium during the Crank Brothers US Grand Prix series. He is on form to do the same in front of his New England crowd.
Todd Wells (GT)
The defending U.S. champion, Wells is Mr. December. He manages to peak for the nationals each year. An Olympian on the mountain bike, Wells won the 'cross nationals in his rookie year in 2001 on a course just like the Providence course.
Matt White (FiordiFrutta)
He is the best starter in America, famous for leading the race early. He has pushed himself deep into the best races and could shock all. A win at the Northampton Cycle-Smart International boosted his confidence.
Tristan Schouten (Trek/VW/Michelin)
Schouten stands poised to become the greatest Mid-West 'cross racer since Steve Tilford. Just 24, he scored a brilliant second-place ride at Sunday's Caster's Grand Prix in Rhode Island.
Jonathan Baker (Harshman Wealth Management / Primus Mootry)
The working man's hero, Baker willed himself onto the U.S. national team last year. Although inconsistent, the man from Boulder has pushed himself on to the podium of several top U.S. events and could surprise all here.
10.Michael Cody (FiordiFrutta Elite Cycling Team)
This young man is known as the best sprinter of the New England road scene, but he is quite nimble in 'cross, too. He scored a major win in a UCI event in North Carolina.
11.Chris Horner (Specialized)
As a road racer, Horner is a super star with victories in the Tour de Georgia, San Francisco Grand Prix, and the Tour de Suisse. This Tour de France stud had fun with 'cross last year. But this season he's raced well enough to score points and earn a berth near the front. He could surprise everybody.
12. Jonathan Page (Hot Tubes)
This is the X-factor. He is probably the best guy in the race, but an early season injury left this three-time national champion off the UCI calendar. Reports of high-speed training sessions indicate he is fit enough to win a fourth elite men's title.
Women
Christine Vardaros (Lotto-Belisol)
A California native, she is a veteran 'cross racer who has posted several stints on the U.S. national team. Racing in Europe against the international elite, Vardaros has racked up UCI points to earn the first call-up.
Deidre Winfield (Velo Bella-Kona)
The unofficial rookie-of-the-year, Winfield posted huge wins in MidAtlantic UCI races and then proved consistent on the national circuit. "Dee-Dee" is certainly capable of a podium finish with a fast course. That would make her two-year-old daughter proud.
Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication/Wheelworks)
The New England faithful will roar for this rider who posted a victory in the masters division in 2005 and then hit the podium in the elite women's race.
Georgia Gould (Luna Women's MTB Team)
Gould burst on to the cyclo-cross scene last season and used success there to springboard to the famous Luna MTB team. Gould won the U.S. mountain bike cross country title before her return to 'cross. She won Gloucester and held the leader's jersey in the Crank Brothers USGP going into the final weekend. She's the one rider capable of beating Katie Compton.
Katie Compton (Spike Professional/Primus Mootry)
Compton has dominated the nationals for the past two years, but she has never truly committed to the sport. Instead she seemed content to pilot a tandem for a blind cyclist with whom she won several Paralympic medals. But this season she raced full-on in 'cross, going undefeated until Portland. Compton could be the world's best female cyclo-cross racer.
Amy Wallace (Richard Sachs/RGM Watches)
Having spent much of the road season injured, Wallace wobbled into the 'cross season. But in just her second year of racing 'cross, Wallace improved dramatically on her skill set and found herself routinely on the podium of regional UCI events. Still young, Wallace could develop into a world class 'cross racer.
Melanie Swartz (Velo Bella-Kona)
Having scored several UCI points in MidWest events last year, Swartz arrived at the nationals only to be schooled in the snow. But this season she spent several weeks on the New England circuit gaining skills and speed.
Rebecca Wellons (Gearworks/Spin Arts)
This is the best pure 'crosser in the race. A product of the coaching of Tom Stevens and Paul Curley, Wellons makes the brutal sport look elegant. And she's fast, having finished a strong second to Canada's Lyne Bessette at Sterling.
Mandy Lozano (Cheerwine Cycling)
This roadie came through the ranks of Oregon cyclo-cross, winning several races in that prestigious region. Like dozens of road and mountain bike pros, she has made the 'cross circuit a key part of her career. On a fast course with an all-American field she could hit podium in Providence.
10.Mackenzie Dickey (Verge)
This young rider wore the leaders jersey of the prestigious New England series. A powerful sprinter, her lone challenge is the mental fatigue of racing a 10-month calendar. But note this: She has won the Cox Charities Cycling Classic in Providence twice. She likes Rhode Island.
11.Rhonda Mazza (Team S&M/Vanilla)
A national team member, Mazza placed fourth in last year's nationals. The pride of Oregon, Mazza just powered to two consecutive podium finishes in the Rhode Island UCI events last weekend. On a course likely to be muddy, look for her in the top three.
12. Ann Knapp (Kona)
The Queen of 'Cross, Knapp has been the mainstay of the national team for a decade. She's won six SuperCup titles and one national title. This season she sat out the first half of the season to nurse her terminally ill brother. With his passing, Knapp has devoted her nationals effort to him. She's back on form for Providence, starting in the second row.
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