A weekend of cyclocross racing

Local cyclocross juggernaut Chance Cooke put together two strong days of racing at both the Woodland Park and Herron Park events last weekend in Kalispell. Cooke, of Whitefish, smoked the Masters A event on a fast course at Woodland Park on Saturday before edging Tim Noonan at Herron Park on Sunday.

Before this weekend’s races, Cooke held his own with the region’s elite Category 1 riders at the Rolling Thunder race in Missoula on Oct. 16 — Montana’s premiere cyclocross event. He says his recent quality results aren’t necessarily a product of intense training.

“I try to ride my bike as much as possible,” Cooke said, “but it only ends up being about one or two days a week. I think the results are coming from being well rested more than anything.”

Cyclocross races challenge cyclists to complete as many laps as possible with in a predetermined time on a mixed course that features hurdles and hill climbs too steep to ride up. Cyclists carry their bikes — typically hybrids of mountain and road bikes — over the obstacles on their shoulders. The sport is popular on the East Coast, but has gained a following in the West recently.

Cooke praised the race directors at Herron Park, saying it’s one of his favorite cyclocross venues in the state. The course features a few steep climbs, is mostly on dirt or grass, and is widely considered a tough venue. With Western larch trees now in full color, the setting is unmatched, as well.

“Steve Muller has worked so hard to make that a great course,” Cooke noted.

Muller was the race director of the Herron Park event for many years before Tim Killen, of Flathead Cycling, took over the gig this year. Killen, who works at Glacier Cyclery, in Whitefish, only slightly tweaked the course by adding a few more “twists and turns.” He says he’s happy with the final product and likely won’t change much next year.

Killen competed in the Men’s 4, 5 races at both events this weekend and managed to grab second place at his own race on Sunday. At Herron Park, he finished two minutes behind Reid Sabin, of Whitefish, who tallied a 43.12.

In the Category 1 races, Scott Herzig, of Montana Velo, won at Herron Park after taking second place at Woodland Park on Saturday. Local rider Phil Grove, of the Sportsman Ski Haus team, was first at Woodland Park with a 1.01.31. He took third at Herron Park.

Among women Category 1, 2, 3 riders, Julie Zickovich was first at Herron Park, while Lindsey Campbell took first at Woodland Park.

Heron Park CX results

Men 1, 2, 3

Scott Herzig 57.10

Frank Fonzales 58.30

Phil Grove 58.50

Brad Morgan 59.20

Noah Young 59.22

Russ Schneider 1.02.10

John Fiore 1.03.10

One lap down

Shaun Radley 59.10

Chris Connely 1.01.45

Kristian Miller DNF

Jesse Doll DNF

Master A

Chance Cooke 57.00

Tim Noonan 57.12

One lap down

Tim Geartner 52.18

Craig Prather 52.24

John Wiehrich 54.10

Steve Muller 55.15

Pat Scharfe DNF

Women 1, 2, 3

Julie Zichovich 48.37

Ingrid Lovitt 44.07

Women 4, 5

Addy Wygmans 45.14

Wendy Brooke 46.13

Meg Killen 47.05

Jacquie Spoon DNF

Master B

Bryon Deford 44.01

Phillip Howeth 46.26

Clay Lundgren 48.30

Mens 4, 5

Reid Sabin 43.12

Tim Killen 43.14

Aaron Johnson 44.18

Mark Brooke 44.38

Scott Pavlakovik 45.13

Matt Voll 45.37

Eric Horn 46.57

Sam Irons 50.14

One lap down

David Howland 45.04

Bridge Fiore 45.57

Rob Fajt 52.46

Chris Raulston DNF