Six-Time National Champion Tim Johnson Headlines Elite Men’s Field at New Year’s Resolution Cyclocross UCI C2 Weekend

Nation’s top cyclocross racers head to Chicagoland to prepare for 2013 National and World Championships

Chicago, Ill. – Six-time National Champion Tim Johnson headlines the men’s elite field for the 2013 New Year’s Resolution cyclocross weekend, featuring a pair of UCI C2.0 races at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Ill., on Saturday and Sunday, January 5-6.  Johnson, of the Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com franchise, comes to Chicagoland in preparation for the following weekend’s National Championship in Madison, Wis., where he will be among the title favorites. The second edition of New Year’s Resolution will feature opportunities on Saturday and Sunday for local competitors to race the same course as the elite and professional riders. Hilton Indian Lakes will be open and no admission fee will be charged for spectators.

Johnson, holder of six junior, U23 and Elite National titles, last captured the stars and stripes jersey in 2009. His recent results bode well for his national ambitions, including a pair of victories in Iowa’s Jingle Cross weekend and a win over a stacked field at the USGP Cyclocross-Deschutes Brewery Cup in Bend, Ore.  The New Year’s Resolution stable of racers will feature notables Adam Myerson (Team Mountain Khakis / SmartStop) and Tristan Schouten (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) on the men’s side and Amanda Miller (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) among the women’s lineup.  A native of Iowa, Miller is a dual road-cyclocross threat who has done battle at the sport’s highest levels, including the 2011 UCI World Road Championships.

Elite competitors can look back at New Year’s Resolution’s inaugural edition to gain inspiration for Nationals. On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, 2011-12, elites Ryan Trebon and Jeremy Powers battled head-to-head through wintery conditions, including frozen mud and windy fairways that rewarded the powerful Trebon with back-to-back wins. A week later in Madison, Powers would rebound and go on to win the first Elite National Championship of his career.  In 2013, Tim Johnson will be among the elites not only eying the National Championship, but the looming World Cyclocross Championship, to be held February 2-3 in Louisville, Ky.

“We are excited to host the lead up to Nationals and to have competitors from around the country here in the Chicago area, making final preparations for their biggest race of the year,” said Chicago Cyclocross Cup Series and NYR race director Jason Knauff.  “Getting ahead of the curve, we are also matching the UCI women’s payouts to the men’s with the help of the Chicago Women CX fund. We’re grateful to have so many talented athletes join us and for the local community to witness the sport at its highest level.”

Registration for the New Year’s Resolution closes at midnight CT on Wednesday, January 2 at BikeReg.com.  The event is hosted by the Chicago Cyclocross Cup and governed by USA Cycling. Valid 2013 licenses are required for all races. Competitors should visit ChiCrossCup.com/NYR or BikeReg.com for details. Rooms at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort are available by calling (630) 529-0200 or visiting indianlakesresort.com.

Photo: Snowy Mountain Photography

– Thanks again to everyone who raced in the mud last Saturday at Afterglow and for donating a ton (literally) of food. This enormous show of generosity is a perfect example of how great our Chicagoland CX community has become. The weather was the worst (or best depending on your point of view) of the year but  ROBOTS <3 and the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew handled it all in style. The coffee was great too.

– Well, if you like racing on a 3 hole golf course with astroturf, you’ll love racing on a 36 hole golf course complete with a pro shop, bar, restaurant, pool, bar, hotel, spa, did we mention a bar?, and of course… a hot tub. The CCC’s New Years Resolution is back at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort 1/5/13 and 1/6/13. A certain former national champion and current energy drink drinker will be there, as well as a rad dude with lots of tatoos, plus a lot of other really fast guys and gals. Come test your pre-Nationals legs and have some fun too. See the NYR page for more details. We still need volunteers though so please help out and race for free.

– Andden (finally) USA Cycling’s CX National Championships in Verona, WI on 1/10/13 – 1/13/13, Masters World Championships, and World Championships on 2/2/13 – 2/3/13 Louisville,KY.

– This past Sunday the CCC was at EJ’s Place in Skokie and handed out a few overall series winner cowbells (as well as a bunch of schwag). We also presented our season long donation to World Bicycle Relief to the tune of $2,200. We think that’s pretty awesome, so thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who donated throughout the season! Also, since the ‘send David Lombardo to Euro Cross Camp‘ fund reached its goal of $5k and went well over, Verdigris-Village CX team captain Tim Boundy made a $900 donation back to the CCC for a future CCC junior development fund. Stay tuned for details! David leaves for ECC tomorrow (Wednesday) and we all wish him the best of luck racing in Belgium! 

– Series Sponsor Update from the desk of Morning Bird Studio: We’re fired up for the New Year, Hope you are too! The Bird has a ton going on in January with new workshops and the continuation of the Engine Building “off bike” throwdown series. It’s truly time to start thinking about your 2013 goals and the best way to get faster on the bike is to be the best version of yourself off the bike. This year, the class size is smaller for a better experience with an improved student teacher ratio. You will develop solid technique with more personal attention, With the goal of getting really strong, becoming more mobile and most importantly, to stay healthy all year round’. EB101 2011/12 Alumni have claimed multiple state championships, a hoard of victories and even more podiums. Lets get after it 2013!! Engine Building 201 will start Saturday January 26 and run for 8 consecutive weeks, at a cost of 240.00. Space is limited, so please register soon! Link to reg.

– If we don’t see you this week… and we likely won’t since there is no CX racing in Chicagoland for 2 weeks (gasp!?!?), have a great holiday season! If you’re riding (and you likely will since the weather is balmy) be safe and make sure to thank your family for allowing you to play bikes with us all during this past CX season. We’ll see you all at NYR!

– And finally… we can’t  believe we’re linking to this.

– The Afterglow team has scored a brand new location–Douglas Park Golf Course! When registering to race, please consider donating those extra dollars you’re saving on the cheaper reg to the wonderful people at Blackstone Bicycle Works right from the registration page. Look for all the Blackstone kids (along with our friends West Town Bikes!) in the Juniors and 4s, and cheer them on! Intelligentsia will also have that coffee you’ll need for your second race for sale to help support West Town Bikes. Registration closes tonight.

– Continuing the theme of giving, Greater Chicago Food Depository has paired with the team on a food drive at the event–everyone who brings a non-perishable food item gets a coveted CALLUP. And if that’s not enough motivation to lend a hand to the needy during this holiday season, a Team Competition is in place–the team that brings in the most amount of food BY WEIGHT wins a fabulous item to impress your friends for an entire year! Sign up for the team competition here. You have until Friday at 4pm to register for the team competition (but we will of course accept day-of donations!). The award will be given out after the Cat 4/FatBikes/Etc race. UPDATE: Please see RpbL for more information about the food drive.

– If you’re coming in from somewhere that doesn’t have easy public transportation (hint),  figure out your parking strategy now! There will be parking along S Thompson Drive (leading toward the fieldhouse). Please leave the fieldhouse parking lot for volunteers and park patrons, as we aren’t the only ones at the park on Saturday. There’s also parking along Inner Ogden Drive.

– Congratulations to all the CCC’ers who raced up North at Badger Cross and down South at Miller Chill CX. Looks like some very solid results going into the end of the year.

– Up next, CX racing returns to Chicago with the Afterglow on SATURDAY. The Afterglow team has scored a brand new location—Douglas Park Golf Course! When registering to race, please consider donating those extra dollars you’re saving on the cheaper reg to the wonderful people at Blackstone Bicycle Works right from the registration page. Look for all the Blackstone kids (along with our friends West Town Bikes!) in the Juniors and 4s, and cheer them on! Intelligentsia will also have that coffee you’ll need for your second race for sale to help support West Town Bikes. Registration will be open until Thursday night at 11:59PM. More details here.

– Speaking of coffee, ROBOTS <3+Comrade Cycles+Just Coffee Co collabo CYCLOCROAST will be around to drink and maybe to buy if we can work it out to purchase.

– Continuing the theme of giving, Greater Chicago Food Depository has paired with the team on a food drive at the event–everyone who brings a non-perishable food item gets a coveted CALLUP. And if that’s not enough motivation to lend a hand to the needy during this holiday season, a Team Competition is in place–the team that brings in the most amount of food BY WEIGHT wins a fabulous item to impress your friends for an entire year! Sign up for the team competition here. You have until Friday at 4pm to register for the team competition (but we will of course accept day-of donations!). The award will be given out after the Cat 4/FatBikes/Etc race. UPDATE: Please see RpbL for more information about the food drive.

– Check back Thursday morning for the course preview, including details on an epic REMATCH.

– If you have any money left for Christmas presents after all of that the CCC merch page is still open and we can deliver to you at Afterglow or via USPS before 12/25.

– On SUNDAY (12/16) the CCC hosts its annual End of the Season Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie at noon. Please pre-purchase your tickets here. The coveted CCC series winner cowbells will be awarded to the overall winners, our season long donation will be made to WBR, we’ll have a bunch of fantastical door prizes, and of course the world famous Lost & Found grab.

– Need more CX racing? The CCC’s New Years Resolution is at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort 1/5/13 and 1/6/13. See the NYR page and help us finish off the season right. We still need volunteers. Help out and race for really cheap free.

– Then USA Cycling’s CX National Championships in Verona, WI on 1/10/13 – 1/13/13 (nearly the same course as Badger CX but entry fees increase tonight at 11pm). Andden Masters World Championships and World Championships on 2/2/13 – 2/3/13 in Bourbonland (i.e. Louisville,KY).

– And finally… winter time means its cold and dark here in Chicago, but that’s not always so bad.

Just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the last month, Verdigris-Village CX junior David Lombardo has been tearing up the local scene (2nd by a tyre width at Montrose Harbor) and is on his way to Euro Cross Camp over the Christmas holiday. Donations are being accepted until 12/15 to help pay for the trip. David has been racing for years in the CCC, first as a junior, and now with the big boys in the Cat 1/2/3 race and we couldn’t be more excited for one of our home grown speedsters to show the rest of the country (and world) what the CCC is made of. David’s parents and especially his father Chris (who is no slouch on the CX bike either) are equally excited and wanted to share the following note with everyone in the CCC Community…

Dear CCCer’s, Chicagoans, and all who have reached out from surrounding communities and beyond,
We would like to express my deepest gratitude to each of you for your support and generosity! David has worked hard, sacrificed, but most of all grown in this community and been shaped by it. Thank you for all the kind words about David, and while we may have had something to do with that, he’s spent a lot of time with all of you too. Thank you for making our job easier. Your positive outgoing attitudes, sense of community, leadership, guidance, and plain good old fashioned friendliness, well who wouldn’t want their son around that. If it couldn’t get any better than that it does. Having one the best cyclocross series in the country, The ChiCrossCup in our own back yard certainly made a difference, what a gift. You all are deeply imbedded in David’s accomplishments.

Thank you again for helping make one of David’s dream’s Euro Cross Camp a reality. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Sincerely,
Chris & Tammy Lombardo

Photo: Amy Dykema

– Wow… what a Sunday at Montrose Harbor. Thanks to Ten27 Cycles, all the sponsors, volunteers, USAC officials, spectators, friends, families, dogs, horses with 1/2 a million views, and especially all the racers who made the 12th and final stop of the CCC and Illinois State CX Championships something special… again! Lots of pictures and videos below in Sunday’s post, but please add your links to the comments.

– The CCC series may be finished, but there is still plenty of CX racing to do in and around Chicago:

– Next weekend you have the choice of traveling North to the double Badger CX weekend in WI or South to Miller Chill CX in Bloomington.

– The weekend after that The Afterglow moves to a new venue in Douglas Park here in the city on Saturday.

– Not racing per se, but on that Sunday the CCC hosts its annual End of the Season Awards Party at EJ’s Place in Skokie at 12/16 at noon. Please pre-purchase your tickets here. The coveted CCC series winner cowbells will be awarded to the overall winners, we’ll have a bunch of door prizes, and of course the world famous Lost & Found grab.

– Then a break for Christmas… then a break for New Year’s Eve. Then racing picks back up in earnest with the CCC’s New Years Resolution weekend back out at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort. See the NYR page for more details including reserving your room at ILR at a discounted race. The CCC also still needs volunteers to make the race happen. Help out and race for really cheap (read: free).

– The following week USA Cycling’s CX National Championships take place just up the road in Verona, WI. Remember entry fees increase on 12/11. Even if you don’t race Nationals is a great event to see in person and cheer (and heckle of course) your friends and others from around the country.

– If all that racing isn’t enough for you, head to Louisville, KY for Masters World Championships and World Championships on 2/2/13 – 2/3/13.  After that… well, you’ll just have to wait until next season!

– If you need Christmas presents we still have CCC merchandise available. Head on over to our merch page for all the goods.

– USAC recently changed their upgrading policy. At this time it is unclear how this may affect the 2013 CCC season… stay tuned.

– One rider who has already upgraded is youngster David Lombardo of team Verdigris-Village CX who is going to Euro Cross Camp over the Christmas holiday. Donations are still being excepted here to help defray the cost of the trip.

– And finally… how soon until we see this in a CX race?

Photo: Luke Seemann

– One more to go! Ten27 Cycles once again hosts the last stop in the 2012 Chicago Cyclocross Cup… which just happens to also be the Illinois State CX Championships at Montrose Harbor. You all have been racing all season long with plenty of ups, downs, highs, lows, podiums, crashes, and heckles and we’ve finally made it to the finalé. We at the CCC and Ten27 again ask everyone to bundle up, bring your cowbells and cameras, and make a day out of Montrose… which means the Cat 4’s should show up early and heckle the 40+ field, and the Masters should stick around and cheer on the Cat 4’s. Lots to review below, so buckle up…

– Registration: We’ll be running reg the same way as every other CCC race. Please allow all 40+ racers to reg first since they have to get ready first. Several fields are already full but we’ll run wait lists starting Sunday morning. Combined categories have a combined field limit of 100 so once No-Shows are removed its first come, first served until we hit the 100 rider limit. As of this morning there are >625 of you pre-reg’d (we AND Ten27 thank you!), which is already more than last year. Online pre-reg closes tonight at midnight… so if you’re not yet reg’d, do everyone (yourself included) a favor and reg now!

– Staging: Since we know down and mid-state IL riders can’t make it up to Chicago every weekend but may still be racing CX outside of Chicagoland, staging at Montrose will incorporate CrossResults.com points for those riders (especially from downstate, but even out of state) without CCC series points. Riders with OUT CCC series points in a category but better (lower) CrossResults.com points will be staged ahead of riders WITH CCC series points in that category and worse (high) CrossResults.com points. Riders in the CCC overall who have better CrossResults.com standings than other riders in the CCC overall will NOT move up in position… you keep your overall CCC position. Also if you have raced in a category but not earned CCC series points (yes, we’ve been keeping track) you will NOT be moved up if your CXR points are better. See the procedure here.

– Preliminary staging will be posted here tomorrow (after pre-reg closes).

– State Champion Requirements: The CCC along with Ten27 and the ICA will be presenting 13 14 CX State Champion Jerseys (on the podiums) to the first IL rider to cross the finish line in every category (excluding the 4B’s). This means Juniors 15-18 AND Juniors 10-14… boys AND girls. Remember that in order to win the state championship you must be a permanent Illinois resident (we’ll be checking ID’s), a US citizen or permanent resident, and hold a valid and unsuspended 2012 USAC annual license before the start of the race (yes, we’re looking at you Cat 4’s). There must also be a full podium of IL riders (that means 3) to win the state jersey. This should not be a problem in any category.

– Speaking of… as of Saturday (12/1/12) you can start renewing your annual USAC license. Annual licenses purchased on or after 12/1/12 are good until 12/31/2013. We highly suggest renewing/purchasing your license online at USACycling.org as this is the easiest (for everyone) and most efficient method, especially if you plan to race with us at the New Year’s Resolution race.

– Podiums presentations for each race (top 3 overall in the race) AND and for the IL state championship (top 3 IL riders in the race) will occur immediately after each race finish… so pay attention after your race, we may be calling your name! The two exceptions will be for the W123/Master50+/60+/Single Speeds podiums at 12:15 pm and the Women 4 and Juniors races when the podiums will be awarded at 2 pm.

– Ten27 Cycles has secured several additional prizes beyond championship jerseys and the 2012 CCC minimum payouts thanks to their generous sponsors:

• EJ’s Place: the North Shore’s premiere supper club since 1997 with a menu of prime aged steaks and chops, pristine seafood, and traditional Italian specialties, presented by a mature and experienced wait staff.  E.J.’s Place is located on Skokie Blvd., just north of the Old Orchard shopping mall.
• Chicago Chiropractic and Sports Medicine: where they specialize in helping athletes and active individuals achieve optimal performance in sports, as well as body balance for every day activities through chiropractic care, Active Release Techniques® (ART), Rolfing, education, and exercises.
• Team Kenda presented by RACC (Racers Against Childhood Cancer): supports a strong US Domestic Elite Team with a mission to build the sport of women’s cycling by developing Junior, U-23 and Collegiate riders through their regional programs in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Western United States.
• Ten27 Cycles: located in on Davis Street in downtown Evanston, is conducting a going-out-of-business sale with really good deals now on the bikes, tires, shoes, and parts you’ll need for the 2013 season.
• Wheel and Sprocket: a nationally recognized bicycle shop from the Milwaukee, WI area, has announced they’ll be opening a new shop inEvanston early next year.  They look forward to supporting cycling clubs, events, and activities in the Chicago metro area in the years to come, starting with this year’s Illinois State Cyclocross Championships at Montrose Harbor.
• The American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure bicycle ride is held every June to raise money to fight diabetes, through research and patient support.  This event now includes a wide variety of rides, ranging from 15 to 100 miles, so there is something for all levels of cyclists.

– Thanks to these sponsor’s generous support, Ten27 Cycles has upgraded the prize list to $2,660, their largest ever and almost double what it was last year.

• Category 3: $275
• Category 1/2/3: $580
• Women 1/2/3: $580
• Category 4A: $200
• Women 4: $200
• Junior Boys 10-14: $30 (3 places)
• Junior Girls 10-14: $30 (3 places)
• Junior Boys 15-18: $30 (3 places)
• Junior Girls 15-18: $30 (3 places)
• Category 4B: $30 (3 places)
• Cash prizes for the other races will be as usual
• The winner of each of the 13 races will receive a Body Shape Kit from the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure.
• Furthermore, the Illinois State Champion in each of the Masters 30+, Masters 40+, Masters 50+, Men 1/2/3, and Women 1/2/3 categories will receive a $200 dining card from EJ’s Place restaurant, ensuring they can celebrate their hard-earned victory in style.

– The Chicago Cuttin’ Crew will also be awarding extra prizes and trophies for Junior categories. The (other) CCC will be giving out junior girls awards as usual (5 deep, medals and ribbons) for the race as well as trophies (3 deep) for final CCC overall standings in Boys 15-18, Girls 15-18, Boys 10-14, and Girls 10-14.

 – Ten27 will be selling Jay Ryan designed posters (at left) for this year’s Cyclocross Championships.  Those of you who have been collecting these posters every year will want to add to your collection.

– While a few riders have already locked up their CCC overall titles (see riders in yellow), there are quite a few very, very, very close categories still to be decided on Sunday. Overall titles will be  announced Sunday, but all official overall series awards will be presented at the CCC Awards Party on Sunday December 16th at EJ’s Place. We look forward to celebrating with all of you.

– Neutral race support will be provided by Ten27 Cycles, in the heated tent next to registration. This year’s equipment/wheel pit should also be plenty big enough for everyone, but please do NOT leave your spare bikes and wheels in the pit after your race. The next category needs to use the pit too.

– Food: Thanks to Ten27 the Big Star truck will again be serving Champurrado Hot Mexican Chocolate, Tacos al Pastor, Tacos de Pescado, and the Tacos de Papas con Rajas from 11am – 3pm. Hand-ups encouraged!

– Series sponsor NovaCare Rehabilitation will once again have physical therapists (and CCC participants) at Montrose providing free injury screens and stretching. We’re getting to the end of the season, so take care of yourself and bring your beat up body over to the green NovaCare tent between 10am – 1:30pm to get checked out. Also see us for a free energy bar or for information on our bike fit services and physical therapy services.

– More than any other factor, the weather usually makes Montrose the legend it is. However right now the forecast is rather benign). In any event the weather can always change on a dime, especially next to the lake, so bundle up, dress appropriately, and come prepared with extra warm (& dry) gear.

– Todd Busteed will be announcing the race.

– We will have all pre-ordered CCC merchandise (t-shirts, socks, & embro) at the race and available for pick-up. Socks are sold out but we will have t-shirts ($15), Mad Alchemy embro ($20), and Contigo coffee mugs for sale (cash only). You can still pre-order your merch here.

– Parking: Like the last 2 years, the parking lot at the east end of the park is closed (now boat storage). Parking will be on the street only along Simonds Dr. Several parking spaces near the restrooms and registration will be roped/coned off (for officials, CCC staff, BigStarTruck, etc) so please do NOT move the cones. We also need this area clear for pedestrian and bike traffic.

– The Course: Course designer Chuck Judy brings back several of Montrose’s classic features course while incorporating a few new twists and turns. The course goes anti-clockwise, beginning at the staging grid which will be just East of the finish line due to a few new trees planted over the summer. The finish line, wheel/bike pit, and registration will be in nearly the same location as years past, just off the road and near the main sand pit. Note the equipment pit is backwards (unless you get off your bike on the wrong side) but its the best place to put it given the layout of the course. Please be careful when pitting and have your mechanics stay out of the way of other riders entering/exiting the pit. Feel free to set up your tents near registration and the sand pit, but given the potential for strong winds, bring weights and stakes. Yes the main sand pit will be back, where spectators are all but guaranteed a great view of all the action. The 2nd sand section close to the bath house will likely not be in play. As always the final course route will be determined Sunday morning and may be altered from the map below.