November 26, 2012 (Niagara Falls, ON) – This weekend the final races of the Southern Ontario cyclocross season were held in Niagara Falls, ON. Utilizing a beautiful private venue owned by the Stamford Volunteer Firemen’s Association, the Firemen’s Park cross saw 2 days of great racing on courses that while similar in layout rode very differently as a result of the weather. Both days were just above freezing; while Saturday saw sunny and dry conditions with high winds, Sunday was marked by snow flurries which made the course wet and slick in some places and notably less wind.

Saturday’s race was dry and fast making for good group racing in most categories. Starting off with the ‘C Men’ at 10 am comprised of Master 3, Beginner and Under 17 men a group of 4 quickly established itself at the front. They rode well together with a move on the final lap leaving Robin Watt (Team 905) chasing the other three. Dan Daking (Canadian Cycling Magazine) took the 2-up sprint against Ciprian Scriuba (Darkhorse Flyers) with Tim McClure riding in just behind for 3rd.

Next to take to the course were the Women and ‘B Men’. In the women’s race Aly Armstrong (Team NA Consulting) pulled away early, with Antje Thamm (St. Catharines CC) not too far behind keeping the pressure on the whole race. The battle for 3rd was taken by Kathleen MacEwan (Lapdogs CC) over Katlyn Dundas (Trek Store CC). The men’s race saw Scott Farrell (Tom’s Pro Bike) take an early lead which he held to the finish. The chase group behind worked together for most of the race with Patryk Biegalski (Beaches CC) taking Paul Beit (CHCH) in a sprint after they had distanced the rest of the group.

The final race of the day saw the ‘A Men’ (combined Elite and Masters) facing off. Through the first lap a group of 6 riders led by Peter Mogg (Stevens Racing) rode steadily until Andrew Watson (Norco Factory Team) pulled away mid way through the second lap. Though the others could not match his pace, the acceleration shed all but 3 riders from the chase group: Mogg, Nathan Chown (Team CF) and Craig Barbules (Tom’s Pro Bike). Mogg eventually took Chown in the sprint by a few centimetres with Barbules right behind for 4th. Peter Mancini (Esteemtraining.com) eventually shed Alex Schmidt (Liberty! Bicycles) to take 5th.

Sunday’s race was the final event of the S-Cup series, and used a modified version of Saturday’s course. The snowy conditions that came just after the first race, however, made for a slick course that proved to be more selective with most races seeing riders solo away or riding in groups of 2.

The first race of the day had the large field of Master 3 Men sharing the course with a handful of Beginner Men and Under 17 Men and Women. The Beginner Men’s race was won by Robin Watt (Team 905) after Dan Dakin (Canadian Cycling Magazine) fell victim to a flat and couldn’t get back up to him. The Under 17 race was won by Caleb Shaver (Reactivated Racing) with Farleigh Creswicke (Invita-FCV) taking the victory in U17 women and the lone U15 rider Max Chalovich (Lapdogs CC) riding strong from start to finish. The Master 3 Men’s race was won by James Cook (Canadian Cycling Magazine) over Stephen Chester (eRace Cancer) and Matthew Pioro (Lapdogs CC).

By the time the 11:30 start arrived, snow was falling on the course, quickly changing the amount of traction available and which lines were taken. In the Master Women’s race Aly Armstrong (Team NA Consulting) repeated her performance from Saturday riding away from the others to victory over Kathleen MacEwan (Lapdogs CC) and Carolyne Haill (Chain Reaction/Molson 67). The Elite Women’s race was hard fought with Briana Ingram (Cycle Solutions/Angry Johnny’s) taking the win over Siobhan Kelly (Coachchris.ca/Ted Velikonja) and Antje Thamm (St. Catharines CC).

Full results here.