BIKE CENTRAL CYCLOCROSS

The Cat. 4 race on day 2 of Oakley Night Cap was a special one for us, so although this is a little late, here's the re-cap.

After starting in the second row, BC rider Jared Ritz maneuvered his way through the pack into second place. Just as he was catching the leader, though, he dropped his chain. After a good fight he wrenched the chain free and hopped on his bike, but the leader had pulled away. Over the next two laps he calmly gained back the lost time. By the final run-up he was neck and neck with the leader. Both riders crested the run-up, remounted, and took off down the final straight. It was a thrilling sprint finish made more thrilling by the fact that Jared crossed the line first taking top spot on the podium.

Oakley Night Cap Day 2

The best word to describe day 2: hot. With temperatures in the upper 80s the heat certainly took its toll, but it didn't stop racers from giving it their all.  The Pro 1/2/3 race saw the big three from day 1 get off the front early. After several laps, McConnell and Kluck distanced Savery. They would trade blows the rest of the race. On the final run up, McConnell had a perfect "one, two" clip in while Kluck slightly missed his pedal remounting. McConnell sailed down the final straight away solidifying his second win of the weekend. Jeff Kluck finished a close second followed by a strong 3rd place performance from Brian West. 

Two great days of racing, awesome weather (if not a bit warm), and Oakley Night Cap 2014 was a success.

Speaking of success, Bike Central's Jared Ritz won the Cat 4 race!  More to come...

Results

Our new Bike Central CX supporter stocking caps are available in the webstore!  HUP! HUP!

Oakley Night Cap Day 1

"It's like a mini CrossVegas!" - Jeff Kluck.  (He would know.)

Oakley Night Cap is an urban cyclocross race held at Mullets, a restaurant and bar located in downtown Des Moines.  This year the event was moved up in the CX calendar and stretched to 2 days of racing.  Riders of varying ages and abilities filled all categories of racing.  The 9pm Pro 1/2/3 race was loaded with talent, and the racing did not disappoint.  Iowa's own Kevin McConnell took top spot on the podium, while former Masters World Champ, Mark Savery, took 2nd, and Night Cap rookie, Jeff Kluck, finished 3rd. 

Top level racers, live music, heckling crowds, and a bar as the backdrop make Oakley Night Cap one of the best races of the year.

As for Bike Central, the Cat 4s were at 10 PM, last race of the night.  Jared gave a valiant effort, and after 4 crashes on the soggy, muddy course, was able to salvage 5th place.  Ian's highlights of the day were Hamm's beer & Cheese Whiz handups in the Cat 5 race.. we'll leave it at that. Stay tuned for our Day 2 recap!

Cross Vegas is tonight!!  Check out this gallery of Telenet-Fidea trio training in the Nevada desert