National Cyclo-Cross Series wraps up in style

Published Date

Written by Una McKay

The 2012 Champion System SRAM National Cyclo-cross Series wrapped up on Sydney’s northern beaches on the weekend, with Victorians Adrian Jackson and Lisa Jacobs crowned inaugural Series champions.

The exciting new Series featured six rounds held across three weekends in July, August and September, with riders racing on some classic Cyclo-cross circuits in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney.

NSW MTBA Committtee representative Rob Parberry was key to the design and successful event organisation for the final of the 2012 series. Catch all the action at 5 p.m. on SBS1 Sunday, October 7th.

The final and deciding rounds were both held in Terrey Hills, with riders faced with a ‘fast and flowing circuit’ for Saturday’s round five. The smooth ride was shortlived however, with ‘a full Flemish course’ for Sunday’s final round promising an afternoon of gut-busting pain similar to that seen in Europe, the home of Cyclo-cross.

In the women’s event, series leader Lisa Jacobs was looking for a clean sweep of all six races, however in Saturday’s five-lap race the Victorian took a conservative start allowing Mel Ansett to take an early lead.

The pair stayed together for the majority of the race until a fall by Jacobs on the second lap allowed Ansett to ride away for a comfortable one minute victory. Jacobs secured the Series victory after finishing in second place, while Terri Rhodes finished third just four seconds behind Jacobs.

In the men’s event, it was neck and neck between Adrian Jackson and Sid Taberlay for the majority of the nine-lap event, with Jackson claiming a twelve second victory over his rival. Mitchell Cordner was a further minute behind the duo in third.

Despite the overall women’s Series being decided on Saturday, series’ standouts Ansett and Jacobs put on a nail-biting tussle for the fans during Sunday's final round.

Holding the pair closely for the first three of five laps was Rhodes, although the pair managed to shake the youngster before continuing their battle to the line. On the final grassy corner, it was Ansett who gained the edge on Jacobs to take the victory.

An ecstatic Jacobs celebrated becoming the first Australian National Cyclocross Series Champion as she crossed the line two seconds later.

“It’s a great honour an privilege the be standing here,” said an elated Jacobs after receiving the winners jersey.

“All anyone has to do is to see how much fun the events are when you are here, the atmosphere is incredible, the spectators are great and the races are even better.

“I say get amongst it,” remarked Jacobs of the new Cyclo-cross series.

In the men’s final round, a blistering start by John Groves saw him create a considerable gap on the strung-out field shortly after the start, however a blistering run by Adrian Jackson saw him quickly bridge the gap.

A deft move by Taberlay saw him sneak past the duo on lap two of nine, with the 2004 Athens Olympian slowly extending his lead as he completed each lap. He went on to recorded a comfortable 31 second victory.

In a battle for the minor placings, Jackson turned the pace on during the last lap to finish in second, securing the Series title in the process.

“I asked my team if they’d give me a cross bike for this year and they were obliging, so it’s all worked out really well,” said Melbourne's Jackson, who claimed the honours in just one round of the Series, but finished second in all five other rounds.

“I would like to thank everyone involved for putting on such a great series, it was fantastic and I am certain it is only going to get bigger and better,” he added.

Special mention to:
- all the riders, especially those that came from interstate.
- Chief Commissaire, Peter Tomlinson
- Assistant Commissaires, Danny Hennesy, Antoni Mikac, Brad Ward and James McAdam

-Lewis Rattray and Neil Ross

- Paula Hollamby from PACC for timing

- Paul Craft
- The MWCC/MTB team - Jim Buda, Dave Watkinson, John Miller, Nick Mansell, Christine Carter, Duncan Markham, Gary Harwood, Martine Robin, Warren Burgess, Danny Wright, Alexis Kaless
- Joe & Fi from Chocolate Foot

Round Sponsors- NSW
- Lido from Bacino Bar for providing the coffee
- Giovanni Pilu for upping the ante for the local riders
- The Fixed Wheel bike shop
- Magellan GPS, HED Cycling, Continental Tyres, Torq Performance Nutrition

Series Sponsors
-Champion System
-SRAM

SRAM

Champion System/SRAM 2012 National Cyclocross Series

Elite Women Standings
1. Lisa Jacobs
2. Melissa Anset
3. Erica Gurner

Elite Men Standings
1.Adrian Jackson
2. Lewis Rattray
3. Leigh DeLuca

Photos:

Mitchel Codner pushes through the pain barrier on his second day of racing

Jacobs, Rhodes and Anset set a high pace to match the heat of Terry Hills.

Complete Series Standings