Salisbury, Cyclocross

30-01-2013 06:22:55

NCCX#4 was presented by PainPathways Women’s Cycling Team. This was the Salisbury edition – the course featured uphill barriers – complete with zuzuzela and bull horn, and a nice wooded section. It was a dry course in perfect weather.

With last season’s state champ, as well as last season’s overall series winner, at the Cincinatti UCI, series contender Wes Richards ((Clemmons Bicycle) battled another UCI hopeful, Kerry Warner (BMC U23 development mtb team) to the finish. Warner took the win. Warner described his respect for his Lees McRae schoolmate and his winning move from the 4-man selection to CCN, “Brad Perley (Champion System/Cannondale), he’s running tubeless and he burped a tire with 3 or 4 to go. So, I sat up when he went into the pits. So I was just in the group with Wes and Paul (Paul MesiFrench Meadow Bakery/Fortistar). I didn’t do any work, I just waited for him. Then he got back with one to go and it was now or never, I just went.” Warner held the lead to finish over a charging Richards. Look for Warner to contest the state championship in Charlotte.

Emily Shields took the win in the women’s race. “I really like this course. I did my first race here when I was 10, so this is my tenth race here. I really wanted to win today.” Shields has her eye on some UCI points in New York, and plans to defend her state championship title in Charlotte.

Other notable action: Devin Clancy (Birdsong Brewing p/b Common Market) won the CX3. Clancy started out in CX4 this season! Spencer Lueders (Carolina Cycling Team), “Welcome to NCCX!”. Lueders won the the masters CX4 on his birthday.

Weldon Weaver