August 23, 2005

Season Opener: Frischi on Top

MONTEREY, CA - The Hyundai Sea Otter Classic saw today the introduction to the cycling world of Super XC, an event which is half pavement, half dirt, and all high speed, aggressive racing. The four mile circuit took the riders up a long paved climb, and then onto fast single track dirt trails before sending them back onto the pavement for the finish line. The men raced for a timed 90 minutes. The men's Super XC boasted of one of the strongest fields every to be assembled at Sea Otter, including current world cross country champion Filip Meirhaeghe of Belgium, current marathon world champion Thomas Frischknecht (Swisspower Mountainbike Team) of Switzerland, and defending Sea Otter Classic champion (and two-time world champion) Roland Green of Canada.

Green was one of the most aggressive riders in the race, constantly attacking and tearing the field apart. Despite a poor choice of tires, which slowed him down in the dirt, Meirhaeghe kept his Canadian rival in check. But in the end, it was neither of these two on the top step of the podium. German Karl Platt (Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) attacked in the final lap and a half of the race, catching the leaders sleeping. While they hesitated, waiting for each other to take up the chase, Platt quickly opened up a gap. Thomas Frischknecht responded in the final lap, bridging up to Platt and charging for the finish line. Frischknecht was able to hold on for the win, but only barely, with Meirhaeghe and Green coming across the line literally on his and Platt's wheels.

Thomas Frischknecht

Results:
1 Frischknecht Thomas SUI 1:26:28 2 Platt Karl Rocky Mountain GER :10 3 Meirhaeghe Filip Specialized BEL :15 4 Green Roland Trek-Volkswagen CAN :20 5 Kabush Geoff Team Maxxis CAN :20 6 McGrath Seamus Haro-Adidas CAN :20 7 Hestler Andreas Rocky Mountain CAN :53 8 Wells Todd GT-Hyundai USA :53 9 Wicks Barry Kona GBR :53 10 Horgan-Kobelski Jeremy RLX Polo Sport USA 1:32