Cross Nats picks

Scott said:

Bret said:

Bill C said:

Elite men: I think the weather is good so Page wins with Mark and Tim
close behind.

Bill, why would a Page win depend on good weather? Page seems to me to
be at his best in the muck. I'm basing that opinion on his recent
strong ride at Vlaamse Duinenveldrit (I saw the video) and his strong
ride at the Napa Natz which I saw in person.

Bret

Good, as in cross good, not normal people good.

I hadn't thought of it that way. I prefer my cross races dry. The
weather forecast is pretty ambiguous. Less than 50% chance of snow
Thursday and Friday, then clear on Saturday and Sunday.

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?CityName=Providence&state=RI&site=BOX

Bill C said:

I think Page is the heavy favorite, but I think that Tim Johnson is
even better than he is in the real slop, not by much but enough to make
it real close. Mark isn't quite as good in that kind of stuff, though
he did a hell of a job this weekend.
In good conditions I think it's a shootout between Page, Mark, and
Ryan.
In the slop I'd say Page, Tim, and Mark.
That said, the worst of their skills are better than 99% of us will
ever be.

Thanks for the explanation. I don't doubt that you're right about
Johnson, but it didn't work for him that day in Napa:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/?id=2002/dec02/cxnats/wade/napa_10
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/?id=2002/dec02/cxnats/wade/napa_11

Bret

"Bill C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Yeah JP is, isn't he. Damn. That just seems so weird, seeing the kids
turning into collegiates and elites. How the hell does that happen when
we aren't getting any older? Wonder when they catch up to us?
Bill C

10 years ago, I used to tease JP because he looked like this guy:

http://www.sgbenchrest.com/Eickoff.JPG

It's not the best pic, but how does JP look in comparision now?

The guy in the picture is George Eickoff, Janie Eickoff-Quigley's dad.

Great guy.

Carl Sundquist said:

"Bill C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Yeah JP is, isn't he. Damn. That just seems so weird, seeing the kids
turning into collegiates and elites. How the hell does that happen when
we aren't getting any older? Wonder when they catch up to us?
Bill C

10 years ago, I used to tease JP because he looked like this guy:

http://www.sgbenchrest.com/Eickoff.JPG

It's not the best pic, but how does JP look in comparision now?

The guy in the picture is George Eickoff, Janie Eickoff-Quigley's dad.

Great guy.

He is alot muddier.

j

alan_atwood said:

Elite Men: Jon Page. He's peaking at the right time
Elite Women: Barbara Howe. Katie Compton's not going to sneak by
anyone anymore.
U23: Jesse -- 'nugh said. (Bill: JP's an elite now)
17-18: Bjorn Selander in a repeat.
Liberty Cup: Tim Johnson.
Master Men 55: Dave Rath (buddy bias!!)
Master Women 30: Mo Bruno-Roy. No Kerlin to take revenge on though;
where's the fun in that?

Alan

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/hourbyhour/US0074:13?begHour=6&begDay=343

gym.gravity said:

alan_atwood said:

Elite Men: Jon Page. He's peaking at the right time
Elite Women: Barbara Howe. Katie Compton's not going to sneak by
anyone anymore.
U23: Jesse -- 'nugh said. (Bill: JP's an elite now)
17-18: Bjorn Selander in a repeat.
Liberty Cup: Tim Johnson.
Master Men 55: Dave Rath (buddy bias!!)
Master Women 30: Mo Bruno-Roy. No Kerlin to take revenge on though;
where's the fun in that?

Alan

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/hourbyhour/US0074:13?begHour=6&begDay=343

Yep mother nature has come through to give things a New England
flavor. I've got a 100 mile drive so we're debating whether to go
before the storm gets too bad, or clean up the mess here at home first.
Out here it's powder though and no rain in the forecast so it's no big
deal but sure looks like the Masters and collegiates are in for some
fun.
Bill C