November 12, 2007 – Competitors from across Ontario and the USA met in Toronto this weekend to battle it out on the slopes of Centennial ski hill at the first annual Toronto UCI C2 International Pro-Am Cyclocross Races.

Racers were faced with two unique yet equally challenging courses. Saturday’s course was a long flat serpentine affair rewarding riders who could push a big gear. Sunday treated racers to the classic up and down and up and down and up once more grind that is the ski hill course. Pundits had been weighing in on their choices in the week preceding the race. With the level of competition in Ontario cyclocross on the rise, riders choosing to attend larger races in the US and with two strong series in Ontario, this would be the first time this year that all of the top Ontario riders, as well as a few American wildcards would meet.

Saturday’s Races

Buoyed by a 135-dollar first-lap prime, Saturdays elite men’s race was fast from the gun. Mike Garrigan (Epic Ride/Jetpower), newly crowned National Cyclocross champion took the money for being the first through the beer tent barriers (note to announcer Rick Meloff”¦not only are they NOT hurdles, but Beer Tent Barriers alliterates better).

Unfortunately what momentum he had was hindered by an early puncture. A group containing all the favourites quickly formed and the race was on. Positions would change but it was still very much anyone’s race until the closing laps when Greg Reain (Ride with Rendall) decided to make his move. It was very much a course suited to his style of riding and when Reain went, no one could respond. Reain finished thirty seconds clear of second placed Osmond Bakker (Stevens Cross) with Nathan (I finally dispelled my UCI Curse) Chown (Handlebars CC) rolling in for third.

In the women’s race pre race favourite and reigning Canadian National champion Wendy Simms (Kona-Yourkey.com) led from start to finish. Owing much to her strong legs and flawless riding she was simply the class of the field. Knowing the UCI points would earn her a favourable spot on the start line at next weekend’s USGP in New Jersey; Simms was out for the win. Natasha Elliot (Stevens Cross) continued her strong cross campaign with second place and Jennifer Stephenson (Team Ultralink) took third.

Sunday’s Races

With Sunday’s course came a new set of challenges. Gone were the windy flat stretches and off camber sections that played so strongly in Greg Reain’s favour; climbing was the theme of the day and the course had it in abundance. The talk prior to the race was focused on gearing. Some of those running 9 speeds in the rear had substituted mountain bike cassettes in place of their normal 12-25 spreads. Those who chose to forgo the front derailleur in favour of a more mud friendly single ring set up were reevaluating said choices. There was one thing that most agreed on however, the favourite today was Andrew Watson. Watson has been on a tear as of late and is leading the points in the Southern Ontario Cyclocross series. Given his proven ability to perform on hilly courses and buoyed by the knowledge that his beloved Battlestar Gallactica would be back for another season, Watson was looking to do something special. Greg Reain jokingly congratulated Watson on his win on Sunday, before they had left the beer tent on Saturday.

Again, the competition was fierce from the gun. Almost immediately riders were fighting for lines and for places. Again there was a prime on offer for the first rider to the barriers and again Mike Garrigan was the rider to take it, in the process earning himself a brand new pressure washer. I wouldn’t be surprised if he used it to wash his new Volkswagen Scirocco before he uses it to wash his bikes. It didn’t take long for a split to happen and when it did it was Andrew Watson and Mike Garrigan making amends for their mechanical difficulties on Saturday. Working together they distanced themselves from a hard charging field. With several laps to go, Watson went to work on the climbs. Much like hotshot pilot Kara “Starbuck” Thrace, Watson flew up the slopes of Centennial Park riding towards a well deserved win. Mike Garrigan was able to hold on for second with previous day’s winner Greg Reain coming in for third.

In the woman’s race Wendy Simms was again favored for the win and again came up with the goods. Simms again proved why she is one of the premiere Cyclocross riders in North America. Proving she is just as adept on the hills as she is on the flats Simms climbed and descended in a class all her own. Trading spots on the podium were Jennifer Stephenson taking second and Natasha Elliot taking third.

Please visit www.ontariocycling.org for photos and full results.