Season Opener Preview!

In less than 48 hours, some of the finest Cyclocross talent in the country (Alberta has placed a man in the top 5 at nationals for the past two years) will rise from a restless slumber, drink way too much coffee, and feverishly ride their bikes around a Red Deer sports field until their full-body spandex suits are soaked and dusty from exertion. Finally, the wait is over – Alberta Cyclocross season is upon us.

Any cyclist who participates in Cyclocross does so with a certain degree of enthusiasm that only exists for the cross season. There is an addicting quality to this subculture of the sport, but Alberta ‘Crossers are as fervent as any, as evidenced by our 10-race provincial series, two year home of the national championships, and the contingent of irresponsibly tricked-out bikes in the pits of every race.

Sunday is the first time riders have raced together in almost a month, which helps fuel speculation and rumor over who’s fast, who’s been secret training, who's riding what, etc. The usual cast of characters (and a few surprises) is always present. Since Cyclingnews.com hasn’t given our scene much play lately, here’s my beef on the top 5 animators for Sunday’s race (in alphabetical order):

Robin Baillie: Part of the Sask Cycling glory days, Robin has been racing cross (and everything else) since before you could even buy a Cyclocross bike in Canada. One of the most underestimated members of H&R block in 2009, Robin raced consistently all year and nabbed himself a provincial champions’ jersey in the process. Consistency is a virtue, he should not be underestimated again this cross season.

David Larson: More than just a pretty face, Larson also likes to wear pink legwarmers. Probably one of the more talented racers in Alberta, Dave has a habit of finding the fitness to perform well in the first races of the cross season. This year he has been notably absent from the second half of the season, putting a big question mark around whether he has been actually training or just eating schnitzels.

Chris McNeil: Another really consistent H&R rider. Chris will be fast because he always has been fast. Quiet and unassuming, will finally riding Kona bikes give Chris the edge he needs to make it to the top step this fall?

Aaron Schooler: Also riding a Kona this year with H&R Block, Aaron was consistently well-placed last season and is one of the most enthusiastic cross racers around. Capable of some good results, will he prove in Red Deer that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line?

The Wildcards: Boy-wonder Cody Canning is fresh off the recent hill-climb win in Banff (and a Sasky boy, too). Ryan Hopping is back on the scene, but has he been away too long? Roddi Legga will show us all what’s in his closet (a national champ jersey), and Yours Truly has managed to ride his bike more than once a week for quite some time now – it’s going to be interesting.