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'Cross Examination: Schneider, Foland win in Georgia; Burns takes Almost 18; Swartz tearing it up

By VeloNews.com
Published: Nov. 6, 2006
Schneider en route to victory
Schneider en route to victory
Photo: Trish Albert/southeasterncycling.com

Schneider, Foland take Georgia race
Jed Schneider (Alan Factory) and Kim Foland (Travel Girl) won round four of the Georgia Cross Series in Monroe.

The course at at Criswell Park was primarily flat with some fast pavement sections, off-camber turns and plenty of headwinds.

Schneider took an early lead only to bobble in one of the off-camber sections and be overhauled by the charging field. But he escaped once again, establishing a gap over an eight-man chase and holding on for the victory ahead of series leader Michael Cummings (KHS-Cycleyouth).

The Travel Girl team dominated the women’s race with Foland defending her series lead against Ellen Carroll (Outspokin). Foland’s teammate Kim Sawyer came in second.

Schempf, Swartz gobble up Tacchino Cicliocross
Weston Schempf (FORT Factory Team) and Melanie Swartz (Velo Bella-Kona) won the Tacchino Cicliocross, the penultimate round of the 2006 BikeReg.com MABRAcross series, on Saturday at the Ida Lee Park and Recreation Center in Leesburg, Virginia.

The men’s race started fast, with Schempf and teammate Gregg Wittwer, Keck Baker (CVCC), Bryan Butts (SPBRC-Bianchi) and Nathan Deibert (Holmes Cycling) forming a lead group.

Just short of midrace, Schempf gave it some gas and took the lead. "I put in an effort up the hill toward the finish line and saw that I got a gap, so I kept on going," he said.

With Baker fading and Wittwer not about to chase down his own teammate, Deibert led the chase. But Schempf’s well-timed attack had given him an insurmountable lead, and he won with about a 300-meter advantage.

Behind him, Deibert and Wittwer flew down the hill and toward the barriers just 500 meters from the finish. Wittwer flew across the dismount section, gapping Deibert, who tried to fight his way back but slid out in the next corner. Wittwer had time to celebrate as he came across the line to give the FORT Factory Team a one-two finish.

In the women’s race, Swartz, took the honors ahead of Marjan Huizing (DC Velo) and Lisa Vible (C3-ADG-Joe’s Bike Shop).

Swartz, Hammaker show some Race Pace
Melanie Swartz (Velo Bella-Kona) did it again on Sunday, winning the Race Pace Cyclocross on Sunday at Freedom Park in Sykesville, Maryland. Kyle Hammaker (Trek-VW) launched a late attack to claim the men’s victory.

Swartz once again stormed to the front and stayed there with a small group forming behind her. Lisa Vible (C3-ADG-Joe’s Bike Shop) took second, locking up the BikeReg.com MABRAcross Series Championship by five points. Teammate Beth Mason finished third.

In the men’s race, the group rode together for the first couple of laps before a group of five formed at the front: Hammaker, Greg Marini (Coffee Plus); Weston Schempf and Greg Wittwer (FORT Factory Team) and Nathan Deibert (Holmes Cycling).

Hammacker attacked and opened up a gap, but the group reformed, minus Deibert. Thee Trek-VW rider attacked again with Wittwer, only to see the first four riders regroup once again. Finally, with half a lap to go, Hammaker attacked once more on the final incline to steal the win.

Race Pace Cyclocross
Men
1. Kyle Hammaker, Trek-VW
2. Greg Wittwer, FORT Factory Team
3. Greg Marini, Coffee Plus
4. Weston Schempf, FORT Factory Team
5. Nathan Deibert, Holmes Cycling

Women
1. Melanie Swartz, Velo Bella-Kona
2. Lisa Vible, C3-Athletes Development Group-Joe’s Bike Shop
3. Beth Mason, C3-Athletes Development Group-Joe’s Bike Shop

Burns burning it up
Burns burning it up
Photo: Matt Howey

Burns takes Almost 18 ’cross
Cory Burns (Fiordifrutta) won the Almost 18 Cyclo-cross on Sunday at the Greene Elementary School in Greene, New York.

Pierre Roussel (U of R-VC Chaumontais), leader of the Louis Garneau Central New York Cyclocross Series, punched it at the start and led the way onto the first grassy section.

A four-man lead group quickly formed, including Burns, Roussel, Paul Komanecky (Preferred Care) and Matt Dickinson (Placid Planet). Burns took control of the race in the first couple laps and began extending his lead on the twisting course.

Roussel hung on for second, and while Komanecky made a late charge, Dickinson was able to hold him off to take third.

The series finale, the Dave Panella Memorial ’Cross, is slated November 12 at Endicott, New York. For more information, click here. — Matt Howey

Sachs, Klug win in Chicago
David Sachs (Vision Quest) and Holly Klug (Killjoy) won round two of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup Racing Series on Saturday at Campton Park in St. Charles, Illinois.

For more information, see www.chicrosscup.com.

Chicago Cyclocross Cup Racing Series
Men
1. David Sachs (Vision Quest)
2 Kyle Jacobson (Beans n Barley)
3. Brian Conant (Training Bible)
4. Thomas Bender (Team Wisconsin)
5. Lou Kuhn (The Pony Shop)

Women
1. Holly Klug (Killjoy)
2. Kris Over (Team Kenda Tire)
3. Corie Berrigan (Team Kenda Tire)
4. Emily McDonald (XXX Racing-AthletiCo)
5. Irene Pang (ABD)

Quad Knopf coming to Bakersfield
The Quad Knopf Cyclocross, round five of the Southern California Cyclocross Prestige Series, will take place November 11-12 at Hart Park in Bakersfield.

The official race flyer can be found at www.kernwheelmen.org. Series information and a race schedule can be found at www.socalcross.org.

Got 'cross? Teams, technology, or race information/results? Send it to crossexam@insideinc.com. Please include the appropriate credits for writers and/or photographers, and attach your contact information in case we have questions.

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