CLIF BAR kids win Best Cyclo-Cross Team in ACA

Following the Colorado State Championships, Dec. 9, the American Cycling Association named it's Best Cyclo-Cross Teams and Riders for each category, based on a points system for a select series of races this year.

Despite many kids missing races at home due to US Gran Prix trips, the CLIF BAR Development team was well-represented in the final rankings, both as a team and individuals.

In Jr. 10-12, Zack Gould was 1st!

In Jr. 15-16, Danny Hiller was 3rd!

In the Open Men division, Brady Kappius was 8th, and along with Danny Summerhill, teamed up to take 3rd in the team competition.

In Cat. 3, the big squad of 6 CLIF BAR teammates won the Best Team competition. Conor Mullervy was 2nd, Robin Eckmann 3rd, Kevin Mullervy 9th, Andrew Barker 12th, Cody Cox 17th, and Yannick Eckmann 20th.

In Cat. 4, Yannick Eckmann was 6th.

Summerhill wins, Cat 3 kids sweep podium at CO States

Category 3 Men: CLIF BAR kids sweep the podium!
Barker (2nd), Eckmann (1st), C. Mullervy (3rd)

Does is always snow for the Colorado State Championships? I think the past two years it did, and this year a new race course in Lyons was broken in with a Friday snowstorm and bitter cold temps.

In the Junior race, Zack Gould braved the 12 degree weather and took home the silver medal.

In the Cat. 3 race, the CLIF BAR posse of young guns was in full effect, at one time holding down the top 4 spots in the race. Robin Eckmann showed impressive form in winning by a wide margin; Andrew Barker steadily moved up all race and wrapped up 2nd place; Conor Mullervy nailed down 3rd place. After being in the mix for top 5, Kevin Mullervy succumbed to some mechanical problems and ended up 16th.

Funny analysis of the Cat 3 results page: the kids took it to the old guys, most of whom have connections with the team!

1	Eckmann	Robin	Clif Bar Development CX Team
2	Barker	Andrew	Clif Bar Development CX Team
3	Mullervy	Conor	Clif Bar Development CX Team
4	Hopper	Tom	part-time CLIF BAR team mechanic this year
5	Opperman	Matthew	part-time CLIF BAR team mechanic the past few years
6	Barclay	John	Unattached
7	LaBarr_Dusty		Georgia Gould's husband, Luna Chix CX mechanic
8	Steposki_Waldek		Luna Chix team manager

In the Open race, Danny Summerhill and Brady Kappius immediately made the lead group of 5, riding with Brandon Dwight (Boulder Cycle Sport), Matt Pacocha (VeloNews) and Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Gary Fisher). Danny constantly tried to shed some of the group, and succeeded in getting away with just Dwight and JHK. Brady faded a bit mid-race but held on strong for a 5th place finish, while Danny went to the wire with the other 2 and pulled away through the last barrier section for the win, and his first elite State Championship.