Originally a somewhat local cross race weekend in South West Ohio, the UCI3 Cyclocross festival is quickly becoming a regular stop on the schedule of many big time pros. Many of the big names in cross were there including Trebon, Wicks, Powers, Kabush, Parbo, and of course Katie Comtpon for the women. Surely a combination of some serious prize money, a great atmosphere, and above all a great course the UCI3 was a great time for athletes and spectators alike. While the Midwest might not come immediately to mind when thinking about the hotbed of cross, the hard work of race promoters like Mitch Graham is undoubtedly gaining some respect for the tri-state area.
Race recap after the break, plus one of the funniest champagne celebrations I’ve ever seen!
In the Elite Men’s Race, it was pretty much Jeremy Powers from the beginning, holding a gap over Trebon for the first 4 laps. From there the two traded places a few times, only for Powers to jump off the front and never look back.
The Elite Women’s race on the other hand, was all Compton as somewhat expected. Katie got out front and rode the wheels off her bike finishing with a sizeable lead. The women’s race was especially entertaining for the position of 5th place, due to a huge drop off in prize money from 5th to 6th. The first 5 positions were the same payout as the Elite Men, but that meant that 5th place got $586, and sixth didn’t break $100.
Sue Butler showed great form and stayed off the front remaining in second or third the most of the race. However in what has to be the worst luck of the day, she suffered a mechanical no less than 100 yards from the finish line bringing her from second to, yup you guessed it – sixth. Really a shame for such a great ride.
The women’s champagne celebration was quite comical as Antonneau had some difficulties removing her cork from the champagne bottle. So what does Katie Compton do while shes not winning races, or teaching cross clinics to the future of the sport? She teaches the future of the sport how to celebrate in style! Check out the play-by-play below, I have a feeling that with her performance today she’ll be needing those bottle opening skills in the future!
