With nationals coming up in just over a week, I’ll jump on the bandwagon and make some predictions. First, the women. The easy choice is Katie Compton. Georgia Gould beat Compton twice this past weekend in Portland but when the chips are down, I’ll put my money on Katie to take the stars and stripes. Gould will finish second — perhaps a close second. Christine Vardaros will fill out the third step. I bet that locals Wendy Williams and Sue Butler will do well too with one of the two scoring a top five.
In the men’s elite event, things are a bit murkier. Page and Trebon are the obvious choices but Tim Johnson has looked strong all season too. Page is building his fitness for Worlds but I know he’d like to get the stars and stripes back. When the USGP title was on the line, he delivered a knockout performance on Sunday in Portland. Can he come up with a similar clutch performance in KC? We’ll see. Johnson will be around to clean up the mess if the top two have troubles. My picks are Trebon, Page, and Johnson. Jonathan Baker has been racing in Europe for a while now and has certainly been getting stronger. However, I don’t think he’s a match for Trebon, Page, and Johnson. JPow is going to be a factor soon but not yet. I pencil him in for fourth.
In the U23 race, there are really only three guys to watch out for. Driscoll, Summerhill, and Selander. Summerhill had it six weeks ago but Driscoll has it now. It’ll be Driscoll, Summerhill, and Selander.
In the juniors, no one is in Luke Keough’s class. He’ll win by a mile. I think he’ll be followed by a couple of Rad Racing kids but I hope that local Jake Rathe can put together a strong race to snag silver or bronze.
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December 8th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
watch out for gavin mannion (hot tubes) in the jnr race. he has had some bad luck (flats, issues w/ # of laps/officials). he has had a rough season and been just behind luke all year. He beat luke last month at baystate and if he is on and issue free, i wouldnt be surprised to see him trying to make up for earlier in the year….he may not win, but he is capable of giving luke a run for his money.
and in the u23 race, watch out for me, getting lapped by driscoll, summerhill, and selander. with the much sought after near last row start spot, I will be sure to be near the back from the start, where I will likely stay.
December 9th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Josh, way to step up and race with the fast dudes. I hope you have a great race and lots of good luck.
December 9th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
thanks brooke. I am going out mostly for the collegiate race, but it made sense to do the u23 race as well…open the legs, get some laps on the course…..we land just after midnight, so with a 10am start, I am not expecting much, but it should be fun. I got a big confidence boost last weekend after safely finishing on the lead lap (despite racing like a sally for the first 4 laps) in an hour long race (u23 and collegiate are both 45min) where toby marzot took 2nd. he isn’t quite driscoll, but he isn’t exactly slow either.
btw, I think gavin beat luke in RI yesterday, not sure about today.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Hey Brooke, I might be somewhat biased, but here are my predictions for the Women’s Elite race on Sunday:
1) Katie Compton: she will rise to the occasion for Natty’s;
2) Georgia Gould: great performance in Portland, but Katie always brings her “A” game for Natty’s;
3) Sue Butler: she’s my wife, and I like her odds… ’nuff said;
4) Wendy Williams: the River City Bicycles dynamic duo will perform a 1-2 punch on Sunday;
5) Rachel Lloyd: she’s had a good season, but she’ll be looking at RCB butts on Sunday;
6) Kerry Barnholt: she’s experienced, but she’ll be looking at RCB butts, too;
7) Amy Dombrowski.
* Christine Vardaros: won’t finish in top 10; races in Europe cuz she’s scared of the competition at USGPs!
Just my two cents… I couldn’t resist!
T-BONE
December 12th, 2007 at 7:57 am
Tim, I’d love to see the River City duo take a podium spot. I think Wendy is going to leave it all out there for the age group defense of her national championship. Sue is riding really well right now and I think has a decent shot at the third step. As good a shot as anyone, really.
I see you’re heading out too. Good luck!
December 12th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Yes, I’m psyched to be racing on the frozen tundra of Kansas! Looks like a great weather outlook in KC for a fun-hater like me! As for the races… well, Wendy has opted not to defend her Age Category National Championship; she’s saving herself for the big Sunday race. However, Sue WILL be racing in the 35-39 Age Category race on Friday. Then they’ll both be racing on in the Open Elite Women’s race on Sunday. After Natty’s, both Sue and Wendy are headed to Europe to extend their cyclocross seasons, race some World cups, eat Belgian chocolate, and kick some arse in the name of Portland, Oregon!!!
December 12th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I just got off the phone with my sports book in Vegas: I’ve recommened they make a few changes.
Compton just got bumped completely off the podium. The weather is detoriating, and Vegas doesn’t like the “phantom leg” or her PDX results.
Inversely as the conditions get worse the River City crew moves up. Here’s the recent Vegas line:
Gould, Butler, Williams.
In the mens camp, Vegas isn’t likely all the Page drama. The thought is it’ll someday make a nice “made for TV drama”:
Page (played by Matt Damon) torrmented by his Belgian squad is forced to come to the US to win the National Title for a do or die contract. The sub plot will be the American’s discontent with Page living in Belgium but only coming to American once this season to race to try and take Trebon’s (played by himself ) National Title.
In a twist of events, Trebon’s hands freeze to the bars and he can’t dismount and runs straight into the planks. Right hand man Wicks, (played by Owen Wilson) motors away for the victory.
What’s left is a battle for 2nd and 3rd between Johnson and Page.
There’s actual footage from The Portland GP of Johnson yelling, “ON YOUR F#$%*&* LEFT”!!!! at 4 local Portland riders.