Montana cyclocross season in high gear

Whitefish Pilot

Bob Presta edged Matt Butterfield in the final lap of the Woodland Park cyclocross race on Oct. 17 in Kalispell to claim the overall top spot among Category 1, 2 and 3 cyclists.

The hour-long biking event challenged competitors with a variety of off-road terrain, steep hills and obstacles to jump over.

Neck and neck going into the final lap, Presta pulled away from Butterfield, of the Sportsman Ski Haus cycling team, when Butterfield's tire rolled off his rim, forcing him off the course.

Presta finished 85 seconds ahead of Butterfield. Clint Muhlfeld and Jason Schmidt finished third and fourth, respectively.

Chance Cooke took the top spot in Class A, finishing ahead of Tim Gaertner and Craig Prather.

Rhea Fuller was the top finisher among women.

Butterfield, the race's organizer, said the event was a success despite the smaller-than-normal turnout due to a scheduling conflict.

"We didn't have the freezing temperatures of the prior week," Butterfield said. "It was perfect racing conditions."

The course at Woodland Park is considered one of the most challenging and fun in the state.

"The terrain varies from grass to asphalt," Butterfield said. "There are stair run-ups, railroad crossings and single track. It's a very aerobic course and you never get bored."

The event was a part of the Montana Bicycle Racing Association series and helps riders gain position in upcoming races based on a points system.

A number of local riders also competed at the Rolling Thunder cross race in Missoula on Oct. 24.

The state cyclocross championship will take place on Nov. 8 at Herron Park in Kalispell.

Butterfield, Mulhfeld, Phil Grove and Ben Parsons — all of the Sportsman Ski Haus team — are among the favorites at the championship.

Woodland Park cyclocross results Oct. 17

Cat 1/2/3 CX Men

1 Presta, Robert 53:25.00

2 Butterfield, Matt 54:10.00

• Muhlfeld, Clint 54:59.00

4 Schmidt,Jason 55:36.00

5 Noonan,Tim 56:02.00

6 Schneider,Russell 57:44.00

7 Connelly,Chris 01:00:32.00

Cat 4 CX Men

1 Shehan, Joel 42:02.00

2 Finley, Rick 42:29.00

• Penner, Brett 45:07.00

Cat 4 CX Women

1 Fuller, Rhea 48:40.00

2 Larsen, Lydia 49:10.00

Master CX A Men

1 Cooke, Chance 55:27.00

2 Gaertner, Tim 57:23.00

• Prather, Craig 58:27.00

4 Brooks, Jeff 58:51.00

5 Graves, Richard 59:12.00

6 Muller, Steve 59:58.00

7 Dahlberg, Daniel 01:02:02.00

Master CX B Men

1 Chauner, Walt 42:27.00

2 Scharfe, Pat 45:07.00

• Fisher, Blair 46:40.00