October 7, 2009 (Vancouver, BC) – Fantastic weather and a brand new course greeted racers and spectators on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 as West Coast Racing and Trek Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic Homes combined once again to host the Vanier Park Cyclocross Classic, B.C.’s longest-running BC Cup ‘cross event.

156 senior racers, plus a gaggle of future ‘crossers on the kids’mini-courses took delight in ideal conditions, a new layout directly alongside one of Vancouver’s most popular and scenic beaches, and free BBQ during post-race festivities provided by M&M Meat Shop. The Vanier event capped off a remarkable weekend for ‘cross in B.C., with the BC Cup double header kicked off the previous day at Team Wedgewood’s New Brighton race featuring a similar turnout, plus the popular Cross on the Rock series running like clockwork as always on Vancouver Island.

In the Men’s A race, Tyler Trace riding for co-organizer TREK RedTruck p/b also had a remarkable weekend individually, sweeping both BC events over the weekend. While Trace required a sprint finish to take the win the previous day, no such challenge was in the works on this occasion. An early attempt by Rocky Mountain Bicycles’Even Guthrie, recently returned from representing Canada at the world junior mountain biking championships, was repelled by the Trek rider who coasted in with a clear 25 second margin. Craig Richey of Blue Competition Cycles p/b Neverblue, who was on the losing end of the sprint finale at New Brighton, brought home 3rd place honours, with Trace’s team mates Kevin Noiles and Rob Britton rounding out the podium.

For the Women A & B a smaller, very high quality field took the line, but on this day there was no doubt about the victor, as the legendary Alison Sydor of Rocky Mountain-Maxxis navigated swiftly and silently, ever upwards through the B men sharing the course to take a commanding win over Local Ride Racing’s Jean Ann McKirdy. Sarah Stewart of Total Restoration, Island Racing Club’s Joele Guynup, and Kelly Jones riding for Sugoi filled the 3-5 spots on the podium. Organizers decided to expand the cash prizing beyond the required top 3, and instead went to 5 deep prizing for the women also, in recognition of the high calibre of riders in attendance and also hoping to provide incentive to further boost women’s participation in the sport.

Results for all categories (does not include lapped riders) available here.

Championship category podium results below;

Men A

1. Tyler Trace (TREK RedTruck p/b Mosaic Homes)
2. Evan Guthrie (Rocky Mountain Bicycles)
3. Craig Richey (Blue Competition Cycles p/b Neverblue)
4. Kevin Noiles (TREK RedTruck p/b Mosaic Homes)
5. Rob Britton (TREK RedTruck p/b Mosaic Homes)

Women A & B

1. Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain – Maxxis)
2. Jean Ann McKirdy (Local Ride Racing)
3. Sarah Stewart (Total Restoration)
4. Joele Guynup (Island Racing Club p/b Cameron Law)
5. Kelly Jones (Sugoi.com)

Master Men 35+

1. Bob Wellbourn (Team Glotman Simpson Racing)
2. Kim Steed (Steed Cycles)
3. Chris Sayers (Kelowna Cycle)
4. Sean Howie   
5. John Perkins (Team Glotman Simpson Racing)

Master Women 35+

1. Nicola Mann   
2. Heather King (Active Life Physio)
3. Amanda Butler (West Coast Racing)
4. Shera Clement (Team Wedgewood)
5. Katherine Warrendorf (Team Wedgewood)

Premier sponsors Trek Red Truck Racing, Race Face, PowerBar, Ryders Eyewear, Schwalbe Tires, and Vancouver Parks were joined by supporting sponsors Active Life Physio, Atac Sportswear, Bike Gallery (sponsor of neutral tech support zone and Kids’ Cross events!), Mighty Riders, Bicycle Sports Pacific, M&M Meat Shop, North Shore Athletics, and Uprising Breads whose collective support we could not run this event without on behalf of the cycling community.

We’ve graciously received links to several galleries containing some stunning photographs of the picturesque venue overlooking the water, mountains, and downtown Vancouver all at once – enjoy!

Photos and videos by Ryan Morasiewicz http://www.flickr.com/photos/rcousine/sets/72157622397935335/show/>”<http://www.flickr.com/photos/38833904@N05/sets/72157622393497279/><http://www.flickr.com/photos/trekredtruck/sets/72157622392934451/show/> http://www.flickr.com/photos/realaworld/sets/72157622391925479/show/with/3981105713/“>here

Photos by Ryan Cousineau
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rcousine/sets/72157622397935335/show/>”<http://www.flickr.com/photos/38833904@N05/sets/72157622393497279/><http://www.flickr.com/photos/trekredtruck/sets/72157622392934451/show/> http://www.flickr.com/photos/rcousine/sets/72157622397935335/show/“>here

Photos by Dave Watt
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38833904@N05/sets/72157622393497279/><http://www.flickr.com/photos/trekredtruck/sets/72157622392934451/show/>http://www.flickr.com/photos/trekredtruck/sets/72157622392934451/show/”>here

Photos by Doug Brons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38833904@N05/sets/72157622393497279/>http://www.flickr.com/photos/38833904@N05/sets/72157622393497279/”>here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rcousine/sets/72157622397935335/show/>”<http://www.flickr.com/photos/38833904@N05/sets/72157622393497279/><http://www.flickr.com/photos/trekredtruck/sets/72157622392934451/show/> http://www.flickr.com/photos/realaworld/sets/72157622391925479/show/with/3981105713/“>here

What is West Coast Racing?
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West Coast Racing is a community cycling club operating as a not-for-profit society run entirely by volunteers from within its membership. Various outdoor and indoor cycling programs are run by West Coast Racing year-round for mountain bikers, road riders, and cyclocrossers. In addition to the Vanier ‘Cross Classic, West Coast Racing is also the organizer of the Cardiac Classic BC Cup Cross Country event and the West Coast Super D. For more information visit <http://www.westcoastracing.ca/>www.westcoastracing.ca .

About 2009 Trek Red Truck Racing Team presented by Mosaic Homes
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The 2009 racing season will be devoted to developing new members. Our past and present riders have enjoyed success at the local, provincial, national and international levels. Our current team consists of a very select group of young athletes. Those selected are chosen not only for their ability to perform individually, but also for their abilities to co-exist as a whole unit. Those chosen for our team must have demonstrated excellent teamwork and sportsmanship on and off the bike. One of our main goals over the next few years will be dependant not only on our success on the road but also on our success in finding additional sponsors. With an increased budget the team will be able to sign additional young talent which will allow us to attend higher calibre races in Canada, and the US. Beyond racings, the members will also be very busy hosting the 4th annual Yaletown Grand Prix.The Yaletown Grand Prix, is an exciting fast race which winds through the heart of historic Yaletown. Like NASCAR the racing fans get an opportunity to see the racers pass through the start / finish area every few minutes. For more information visit <http://www.trekredtruckracing.com/>www.trekredtruckracing.com .