Race report by Jennifer Maxwell

Elite Women

Perfect conditions greeted the riders who awaited a technical course consisting of short power climbs and a long gradual climb on the back section of the course. It was a perfect sunny autumn day in rural Middletown, Maryland filled with lots of fans cheering racers in each race segment.

The paved down hill start was key to getting onto the first technical grass section that lead to tight corner. Julie Kuliecza (Alan North America Cycling) got the hole shot with Jennifer Maxwell (ATAC Sportswear p/b The Bike Rack) and Lenora Pipes on her wheel.

The field reached the first natural barrier quickly and Jennifer Maxwell felt more confident dismounting after seeing that it was faster to remount with momentum rather than try to bunny hop and lose speed for the quick 180-degree turn. The grassy section was dry and fast and was the start of many power turns and out-of-the saddle attacks of the lead group of Lenora Pipes, Julie Kuliecza (Alan North America Cycling) and Jennifer Maxwell (ATAC Sportswear p/b The Bike Rack).

The back section was a fast down hill that led a tight left hand turn around a tree and a long gradual uphill climb. It was long and hard and the three stayed together for the first few laps. The only section of the course for reprieve was on the back grass section after the downhill but it quickly brought racers to the technical creek and wooded platform section. With momentum slowed due to a grassy muddy after the creek the women had to power up a grass climb and navigate the final off camber grass section before the last climb to the start line.

With each lap Maxwell used the big ring for the paved section and grass section, which was important in shedding her companions. The three women fought hard and Maxwell continued to power through the grass section and up the Wheel Base Bikes of Frederick fly over. This was one fast and sturdy fly over and great to finally have at a local race. Since there was a natural barrier before the fly over, Maxwell was able to shoulder her bike before the barrier and continue her speed straight up the stairs to quickly remount and click into her pedals for the down hill ramp. Each lap Maxwell was able to stay at the front of her group and then she would try to recover at the start finish behind Kuliecza and Pipes. With a few laps to go Maxwell saw Pipes take the first grass section and barrier cautiously, so she powered ahead of Pipes and then decided to put the pressure on through the corners and jump out of the saddle on the flats. With a few laps to go Maxwell punched a small hill after the fly over and was able to get a gap and maintain her rhythm throughout the remaining laps. The last few laps were focused on technique and maintaining her speed for the win. Julie Kuliecza was able to drop Pipes for second place and Pipes came in for third.

Maxwell placed 2nd in the Elite Women field in the Breast Cancer Awareness Cyclocross race on Saturday, October 3rd held at Hagerstown Maryland.

Elite Men
The Elite Men race was won by Jeremiah Bishop (Mona Via Cannondale).

This race was put forth by the efforts of the Team Kenda Mid-Atlantic Regional Elite team and HPC.  Chris, a Team Kenda Mid-Atlantic Regional Elite racer and her husband Fred Kelley allowed the race course to be set up on their property.  Additionally, Kenda USA provided swag for prizes plus the team contributed a cash donation that was distributed to the top three category 3 women podium finishers in the race.

Note: Race winner Jennifer Maxwell is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Elite team.