A Really Rad Weekend.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts - the scene of the Really Rad CX Festival. A full gas weekend would unfold in Falmouth, MA with the climax of the USCX series, and the Pan American Championships.
A home-turf race weekend for Curtis White and Lizzy Gunsalsus added to the excitement for the high-stakes weekend as both of these two grew up in the New England area and always had this race weekend as a staple race growing up. Raylyn would begin her 20 hour drive from St. Charles, MO on the Monday before snaking through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut to make it to Dudley, MA where she would connect with Lizzy before finishing the drive to the cape.
Warm weather and sunshine would bless us over the weekend with temps in the low 70s, and the added bonus of the fall foliage still remaining on the trees - colors that are reminiscent of our team kit pantones.
We were unsure if the Pan American Championships would happen this year. Originally scheduled to take place in Costa Rica, the team was conflicted with the pressure of then having to miss the finale of the USCX series. The Costa Rican race was canceled a month or so ago, and back on the Friday before Trek Cup the announcement of ReallyRad picking up the event brought extreme stoke for the team. A massive thank you to the Really Rad event and promoters for taking on this major task, and pulling the race off at the last minute!
Friday rolled around, and upon wake it was clear the team meant business. Raylyn had a jersey to defend, and both Curtis and Lizzy had season goals of also claiming a title. Lizzy would set sail first, and set the tone for the day claiming the first team’s title! Around lap 4 or so she would end up obtaining a solid gap from the rest of the field, and would cruise in for the U23 Champion title! Raylyn would rock up to the start line next. There was an added pressure of defending her 2021 title. With a competitive field, and previous multi-time Pan American Champion, Maghalie Rochette, registered to spice up the field. After a lap and half into the race Raylyn decided to take charge and speed up the pace. Obtaining a nice gap quickly, and continued to press on the pace to sail away and never look back. Lastly, the men’s race would unfold. Curtis battled in the lead group for the majority of the race with several lead changes, and battled hard against the strong men’s field. Ultimately, finishing the day in 2nd place was still a great achievement for Mr. White!
The weekend had only just begun. We then had a USCX Series Overall to wrap up! Saturday’s race would blast off in a very quick fashion as some of the turns had tacked up just enough to turn into “hero dirt”. The forever tenacious, Caroline Mani (former multi-time French National Champion, and Elite World Championship podium finisher), would also be lined up on Saturday and Sunday to try and keep her first place spot in the series. Raylyn and Mani would battle one another both days - taking lead turns and also working together to obtain large gaps to the rest of the field. Mani’s experience ultimately landed her the winning position both days, and Raylyn would finish 2nd place and solidified her massive 2nd place finish in the Series Overall!
One of the team’s main objectives this year was to claim a USCX Overall Title. Our guy, Curtis White was set up well to make this happen. All he had to do was finish a minimum of 2nd place both days to make it happen. We say, “all he had to do” as an easy feat, but with the team tactics at play, and the target on his back - it wasn’t such an easy task at hand. For Curtis to succeed in obtaining the overall title is a massive accomplishment. We are so proud of him! It’s really important to our program to have Domestic representation, and continue to support our country’s series.
We are so pleased with the overall success of cyclocross in the United States so far this year with 11 total Televised events, a competitive Series, and 6 total C1 races. The outpouring of support from the community and partners has been remarkable. It’s really refreshing to see each of these race weekends with filled parking lots, art booths, delicious food vendors pour in each weekend.
The team would wrap up the weekend with a nice team dinner on Sunday night, and a friendly round of bowling (where Raylyn would claim the Bowling Queen title). Monday the team would get to get a quick beach moment in before leaving the Cape, and headed to Boston, MA to tour the Taza Chocolate Factory and sneak in a little sneaker shopping at Bodega before parting ways. A successful holiday weekend in Falmouth!
Photos by Kenza Barton Schlee.
