December 3, 2008 – On the weekend, two Ontario cyclocross events were going strong, despite the presence of white stuff on the ground. Both events were dedicated to raising funds for Canadian athletes headed to the Cyclocross World Championships in Europe.

Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series #10 – November 30

Over 100 riders were out for the final round of the Eastern Ontario Cyclo-Cross Series in Mooney’s Bay in Ottawa. Money was raised to help Derrick St. John and Natasha Elliot with their “Euro Cross Fund”. The race began with a pavement mass start, but the rest of the course was covered in snow. Osmond Bakker (EMD Serono/Stevens) won the men’s race and Natasha Elliot (EMD Serono/Stevens) took the women’s victory. Bakker and Spooner took the overall series wins in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.

Results

Elite Men
1. Osmond Bakker (EMD Serono/Stevens) 0:58:21
2. Derrick St. John (Stevens Cross) 00:53
3. Steve Proulx (EMD Serono/Stevens) 00:54

Elite Women
1. Natasha Elliot (EMD Serono/Stevens) 0:58:48
2. Tricia Spooner (EMD Serono/Stevens) 01:26
3. Anna O’Brien (Tall Trees Cycles) 08:06

For full results, visit www.cyclocross.org

Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series Final Overall Ranking

Elite Men
1. Osmond Bakker (EMD Serono/Stevens) 120 points
2. Aaron Fillion (Ottawa Bicycle Club) 103
3. Douglas Van den Ham (Ottawa Bicycle Club) 94

Elite Women
1. Tricia Spooner (EMD Serono/Stevens) 118 points
2. Joanne Thompson (Ride with Rendall) 91
3. Anna O’Brien (Tall Trees Cycles) 87

For full results, visit www.cyclocross.org

Subway “˜Cross – November 30
Race Report by Scott Kelly

There’s a song about addiction by the Red Hot Chili Peppers entitled Under the Bridge. At some point today, while grinding around in the Humber River Valley under the shadow of the Old Mill Subway bridge, I thought I might know how the singer felt. Addiction must play some small part in why normally sane souls would sign up to race around in freezing temperatures, on the brink of a snow storm, in a windy valley, under a bridge in downtown Toronto. Maybe it was addiction; maybe it was that the proceeds were going to a good cause. Cyclo-Cross Ontario and Midweek CC teamed up to put on the final race in the Southern Ontario Cross series with all the profits going towards the Friends of Canadian Cyclo-Cross Racers fund. Since its inception two years ago, the FCCR fund has offset over $4000 dollars in costs for Canadian racers attending the World Cyclo-Cross Championships in Europe. A strong turnout of hearty souls showed up today for the series finale and to support the cause and were treated to the second new course in Ontario in as many weeks and it did not disappoint. The course had a little bit of everything (with the notable exception being barriers) and the slick grass and mud put everyone’s technical skills to the test. Course conditions worsened as the Master 2 men, Junior Men and Women took to the line.

Results

Elite Men
1. Justin Hines (Handlebars CC)
2. Peter Morse (Jet Fuel)
3. Nathan Chown (Handlebars CC)

Elite Women
1. Anita Lagler (Chain Reaction)
2. Carolyne Haill (Chain Reaction)
3. Briana Illingworth (Sweet Pete’s)

Click here for full results.