It was a beautiful fall weekend in Boulder, Colorado for the U.S. Open of Cyclocross at Valmont Bike Park and the racing action was incredible. For those of you that don't know, Valmont Bike Park was designed several years ago and is one of the first purpose built bike parks in the United States. It features 42-acres of riding terrain and was designed with two permanent cyclocross specific staircases and sand pits. Donnelly Sports is based in Boulder and it was awesome to have the entire team racing in our backyard!
"Did I win?" a breathless Jamey Driscoll asked team photographer Meg McMahon after he crossed the finish line in Boulder on Saturday.
It was close, very close, but thanks to strategic last lap tactics and sprinting skills, Jamey took home his first big UCI win of the season! "It feels great to get the monkey off my back. " said Jamey. "I've been knocking on the door and today the pieces fell into place."
Sunday's race was going well for Jamey until a late race crash knocked him out of the main group. He still finished 5th on the day. "My family was able to make it out from Utah, which made the win on Saturday that much more special. My daughter is the best podium girl I would ask for!"
"This weekend was certainly not my best showing. Saturday went really hard from the gun and I found myself redlined and unable to recover as I normally would," said Lance Haidet. "Between that and crazy winds I was really struggling to find my rhythm out on course."
On Sunday Lance was looking for a little redemption. "I got a great start and felt comfortable at the front for the first few laps, but unfortunately a mechanical dropped me from the front group." Lance would fall back into the mid-pack, then claw back to finish 6th on the day.
"I thought the courses were awesome. I always love it when a track has something special that really sets it apart from other races," said Lance about Valmont Bike Park. "It made for some really interesting racing."
Next up for Lance is also the Cincy CX UCI weekend where he will look to mix it up with the men's elite group. Then the following weekend it's off to Louisville, KY where he is laser focused on winning the Pan-American title in the U23 race.
Rider Tire Selection, Pressure and Course Conditions
U.S Open of CX course conditions report from Head Mechanic James Sullivan
When it's dry and warm, like it was this weekend at Valmont Bike Park, the course is generally firm on straightaways and loose and sketchy on the corners. With firmer corners the riders likely would have chosen the LAS, but the MXP was the way to go this weekend.
U.S Open of CX Tire Selection and Pressure
Laurel Rathbun
Saturday & Sunday
Front: MXP / 24 psi
Rear: MXP / 25 psi
Jamey Driscoll
Saturday & Sunday
Front: MXP / 26.5 psi
Rear:MXP / 27 psi
Lance Haidet
Saturday & Sunday
Front: MXP / 25 psi
Rear: MXP / 26 psi
Donnelly Professional Cycling Team Sponsors
Pivot Cycles
Team Schedule
Rochester Cyclocross – Rochester, NY
Jingle Cross World Cup – Iowa City, IO
CrossVegas – Las Vegas, NV
Trek CXC World Cup – Waterloo, WI
KMC CrossFest – Thompson, CT
West Sacramento Grand Prix – Sacramento, CA
Charm City Cross – Baltimore, MD
US Open of Cyclocross – Boulder, CO
Derby City Cup – Louisville, KY
Pan Am Championships - Louisville, KY
Major Taylor CX – Indianapolis, IN
CXLA – Los Angeles, CA
Ruts N Guts CX – Broken Arrow, OK
USA National Championships – Reno, NV
UCI World Championships – Valkenburg-Limburg, NED