Yesterday Hillsboro (a few miles West of Portland) played host to the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross (USGP). By all accounts, the rain-soaked course did little to dampen the spirits of the racers and the spectators.
In fact, the challenging conditions were welcomed by many. In a report on VeloNews.com, USGP series director Bruce Fina said,
“if I could race any single day of the series, I would race on this day, because of the epic scale of it. The winner today will be a hard man.”
Local Portland talent mixed it up and fared well against some of the top cyclocross racers in the country including the likes of Tour de France competitor Chris Horner and national mountain bike champion Geoff Kabush.
Photo: Brian Ellin
Vanilla Bicycles rider and 2005 National ‘Cross Champion Shannon Skerritt was the top local finisher with a 17th place in the Elite Mens category. BikePortland contributor and Sellwood Cycle co-owner Erik Tonkin (Kona Bicycles) and Molly Cameron (Vanilla Bicycles) from Veloshop rounded out the top 35.
On the women’s side, Team S&M/Vanilla Bicycles racer Rhonda Mazza nabbed 9th place and River City Bicycles’ Sue Butler and Wendy Williams finished in the top 20.
But making national headlines for Portland weren’t our fastest racers.
No, in true Portland cross racing spirit, it was a hot tub full of scantily clad men and women drinking beer and champagne who stole the show.
Photo: Michael Kloeppel – Cyclone Bicycle Supply
More coverage:
- View photos in Brian Ellin’s Flickr photo gallery.
- Read the race report on VeloNews.com
- View the full results from OBRA.