Doing it in the dirt--and the mud, sand, and pavement
By Jennifer DuBois
Outside Online

Washington, New England, and Northern California are the traditional powerhouses when it comes to churning out top-ranked 'crossers, and the field at this year's national championships is no exception.

Cyclocross courses typically start out with a paved circuit before leading riders to steep sections where they must dismount, shoulder their bicycles, and run. Muddy sections and sand pits make the run-ups and barriers all the more treacherous to navigate. A senior-level cyclocross race typically lasts about an hour.

The site of this year's national championships, located just south of Seattle, features a hearty mix of fast downhills, 90-degree turns, sand pits, and well-placed barriers in its 1.6-mile circuit.

The SeaTac course, used for the national championship in 1994, has gained a great deal of acclaim simply because it is one of the country's best courses. Fast sections, slow sections, fairly wide trail, great spectating opportunities, and plenty of fast run-ups combine to make it a true "crosser's" course.

As Seattle-area cycling commentator Eric Zuelow explains, "SeaTac favors the rider who has speed, technique, and is a good runner. The final two hills, so close to the finish, will cause problems for those who can't run. Basically, SeaTac is just a darn good 'cross course and will allow for a true battle between the top riders."

A few local boys--Craig Undem, Dale Knapp, and Jonathan Sundt--are likely to make the most of their home-course advantage. Undem, the 1994 Washington state champion, and Knapp, fifth at last year's national championship, have been swapping podium places throughout the season in local as well as national series races. But on a good day, national series Espoir (junior) points-leader Sundt can beat them both.

Meanwhile, on the East Coast, two-time national champion Jan Wiejak (Haro) has been having trouble posting a win. Instead, brothers Frank and Mark McCormack and Saturn teammate Bart Bowen have been the stronger riders at races in Connecticut and Massachusetts this season.

Another East Coast rider to watch is Jonathan Page (G.S. Mengoni). A former junior national champion, Page has been winning and placing in races throughout New England and should be considered a top favorite for a podium spot.

In the women's contest, defending champion Jan Bolland finished the mountain biking season in the best form of her career, finishing fifth in the national championships series after a season-finale second place at Mammoth, California.

The Volvic-PowerBar mountain bike racer and former roadie won last year's cyclocross championship in a snowstorm after jumping on her mountain bike.

But by no means has she been resting on her laurels. Bolland, who this year moved from Colorado to New Hampshire, has dominated races in New England this fall.

Bolland's toughest competition likely will come from Shari Kain (Ritchey) and Beth Lyndon-Griffith (Ellsworth).

Kain came in second place at last year's national championships, following Bolland across the line by about 30 seconds. The 1994 champion was less than thrilled about her rival's decision to ride a mountain bike for the race. "This is a cyclocross race, so I rode my cyclocross bike," she said afterwards. Look for the winner of this season's national series opener to show up in Seattle fit and ready for redemption.

Women's masters world mountain bike champion Lyndon-Griffith is the hometown favorite going into Nationals. She's posted wins this season in the Seattle-area series and the second race in the national series, held at the SeaTac course.

As one local race-watcher says, "She's got skill, tactics, motivation, and fitness. A great bet for the top three and a gold medal contender."