The Evol Elite Racing team was faced with the most challenging conditions of the season last Saturday as the Without Limits Cyclo-X race series culminated at the Boulder Reservoir. Most races at the Res' are all about the sand.
This one was not. Instead, racers were faced with single-digit temperatures, several inches of snowpack and hidden ice patches that could topple the best rider in the blink of an eye.
Despite being a first-year cyclocrosser, Kristen Peterson fearlessly attacked the race and icy course. From the gun, she took a clean inside line on the first slippery corner and never looked back, extending her lead and earning her first ever win in the women's open category. Plus, this was the first time any Evol lady has won an open race.
Not to be outdone, the Evol men took the course late in the afternoon as the sun was setting, and Spencer Powlison turned in an equally strong performance for his first-ever win. But his race was not so straight-forward.
Early on, Spencer dangled off Robin Eckmann's wheel, as the pro roadie powerhouse stretched the elastic. Eckmann, however, came to grief on the icy terrain and after a particularly bad crash, Spencer took the lead. It wasn't all wrapped up though. After tangling with some course tape, he found himself battling with Chris Case on the last lap. Spencer managed to take and keep the lead by nailing a tricky inside line on an icy corner when Case went wide with too much speed.
Although the team is still thawing out, this weekend is the Colorado 'cross season finale, State Championships in Castle Rock. Hope to see you there!
Photos: John M. Flora and Dejan Smaic
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