November 6, 2007 (Kingston, ON) – Our string of clear weather continued for our only cyclo-cross race in Kingston, and an added bonus was that there no wind coming of Lake Ontario, which is only meters away from the course. The smallest field of the season, 119 riders, challenged the Lake Ontario Park course. The Kingston riders enjoyed their “short drive” to the race and the extra hour sleep with the changing of the clocks.

The course was long and had everything including: fast grass, pavement, gravel, sand, hills, stairs, 5 barriers, technical turns and descents. The technical sections of the course made riders pay for their inattentiveness or excess speed with a number of them sliding, falling and an occasionally crashing. The very tight technical downhill switchbacks on the terraced slope section of the course quickly proved to be a separation point for riders, and a favorite spot for spectators.

79 riders started the first race of the day, and it proved to be a big day for Kingston racers, as they took first place in 6 categories in front of a large number of spectators who showed up to cheer on riders. Andy Leger (MB/J&J Cycles) rode a strong race finishing just in front of a small case group of Paul O’Blenes (MB/The Cyclery), Jim Laird (MC/TI Cycles) and Karl Hoppner (U15/Ride With Rendall), who took till the last lap to sort them selves out and finish 2nd, 3rd and 4th overall respectively. Other hometown winners were: Devon Novakowski (Jr Men/Gears and Grind), Denise Ramsden (Jr Women/CyclocrossOntario.com), Evan McNeeley (U17/J&J Cycles), Jim Laird (MC/TI Cycles) and Claire Michael (Women/Aztech/Cyclopath). This was another impressive ride by the U15 Karl Hoppner, who is having a super series this year, with a 4th overall and 1st in his category. With a good solid ride, Gary Romkey (Ride With Rendall) took first place in the Master Men D. The U13 was won by Derek Gee.

Ottawa riders showed their strength in Race 2 of the day taking first place in the Senior Men, Master Men A and Women A categories. The small field of 40 riders on the long course saw some significant gaps develop. Greg Reain (SR/Ride With Rendall) back from a second place at nationals rode away from the field in the first half kilometer and by the end of the race was over a minute ahead of Aaron Fillion (Sr/Ottawa BC) the second place rider.

Top Master Men A was Paul Skafel (The Cyclery) who rode a steady race and kept ahead of his main challenger John Fee (The Cyclery). In the women’s category Jennifer Stephenson (Expresscopy.com) managed to overcome a very nice spill and was able to ride a strong race leading the other women to first place, and was the only woman to finish on the same lap as Greg Reain.