New course delivers fast XC championship

Karl Vanderwood sprinted out to an early lead at the Montana Cyclocross Championship at Herron Park on Nov. 8 and pedaled to an easy victory in the men's category 1, 2, 3 race.

Vanderwood distanced himself from challengers Bob Presta and Clint Muhlfeld on an uphill section of road, breaking their spirit, and finished nine laps in 58:55.

"Karl got a good gap on the first lap," race director Steve Muller said. "He rode away with it."

In the masters event, perennial favorite Chance Cooke smoked the competition, finishing in 55:62. John Fiore took second, leaving a three-way skirmish for third between Tim Gaertner, John Weyrich and Eric Greenburg.

"There was a great battle for third," Muller said. "It was a real photo finish."

Gaertner edged Weyrich at the end to get on the podium.

This year's race was the 10th anniversary of the Herron Park event.

"I believe it's the longest running cyclocross race in the state," Muller said. "One of the reasons the championship was here was to celebrate that."

Muller — the race's director for each of the past 10 years — is undecided about whether he will continue with the event.

"My goal was to do it at least 10 years," he said. "I'd like to try and do a race somewhere else. I don't know. Ask me again next year and maybe I'll have a better idea.

"It's still a great course. I've raced in Portland, Seattle, California, and this is one of the best courses in the Northwest."

Muller changed up the course a bit from years past by eliminating a sharp curve at the finish and removing some obstacles.

The changes — along with sunny weather — garnered some of the fastest times in the history of the event.

"The course was fast and dry, so it made for some good battles in the 'A' race," Muller said. "But, I would rather have mud or a little dusting of snow."

Masters A

Chance Cooke 55:52

John Fiore 56:06

Tim Gaertner 56:55

John Weyrich 57:58

Eric Greenburg 58:02

Craig Prather 58:47

Mens 1,2,3

Karl Vanderwood58:55

Bob Presta 59:49

Clint Muhlfield 60:17

Brad Morgan 1:00:43

Matt Butterfield 1:00:57

Ben Parsons 1:01:01

Jesse Doll 1:01:05

Alex Gallego 1:01:29

Scott Herzig 1:02:25

Phil Grove 1:02:53