February 6, 2008 - 2007 Cyclocross Season Review

2007 Cyclocross Season Review

The cyclocross season has come to a close, so now is a perfect time for a review of the year’s action. This year’s key cross racers were Jamey Driscoll, Matt White, and Toby Marzot, with other members of the squad occasionally jumping into the action. Unlike most road teams, Fiordifrutta puts in a full cyclocross season, gaining even more publicity for our sponsors at an otherwise quiet part of the cycling season. Over the years, the popularity and exposure of US cyclocross races has improved dramatically, and most publications have plenty of space for cyclocross coverage while the pro roadies take some time off.

Our cross superstar this year was Jamey Driscoll, who picked up his second straight U23 title in the USGP Overall Rankings. Driscoll also won the collegiate national cyclocross championship for the second year in a row, and represented the US at the World Cyclocross Championships. He was basically unstoppable all year, winning the New England Championship Series, with a total of 14 U23 wins for the season. Against the nation’s top pros at the biggest UCI races, Driscoll often finished in the top 10 overall, and he will be force when he finally hits the senior ranks.

Driscoll was outsprinted at U23 Nationals and ended up second, but then pushed on to win the collegiate race and then travel to Europe over Christmas to prepare for worlds. His ride at world’s was solid, finishing on the lead lap in 34th, but this was finally the one rare day this year that he just did not have the legs for a top finish. Jamey was also featured in a Velonews print article that is attached.

Matt White had a solid season that did not quite live up to his own high expectations, but he finished with two wins - the Coonamesset Eco Cross in MA, and the Capital Cross Classic, a UCI event in Virginia. White started the season by being invited to the spectacle that was the Las Vegas nighttime cross event, finishing in the top 20. His lucky numbers for the UCI races were 6th and 7th, and White was always up there in contention with the nation’s top cross pros.

Toby Marzot had a tough season battling with illness, but he came back after a mid-season break to finish 19th at U23 nationals. Josh Dillon also spent the cross season trying to maintain his fitness from the road season, and had some good results despite a crash in a Canadian UCI event. Josh Lipka spent his first season as a cross racer dominating the B events. Johs Huseby has a couple of top five results in early races, before retiring for the year to prepare for the birth of his daughter Lola who arrived on November 1st.

2007 Cyclocross Results

1st USGP Overall Series Title, Under 23
1st New England Championship Series Title, Under 23
1st National Cyclocross Championships, Collegiate
1st USGP Mercer Cup, Under 23, Day 1, UCI, NJ
1st Capital Cross Classic, UCI, VA
1st Grand Prix of Gloucester, Under 23, Day 1, UCI, MA
1st, 5th Grand Prix of Gloucester, Under 23, Day 2, UCI, MA
1st Granogue Cross, Under 23, UCI, DE
1st Wissahickon Cross, Under 23, UCI, PA
1st Chainbiter Cyclocross, Under 23, UCI, CT
1st Cycle Smart International Cyclocross, Under 23, UCI, MA
1st USGP Cyclocross Toyota Portland Cup, Under 23, Day 1, OR
1st USGP Cyclocross Toyota Portland Cup, Under 23, Day 2, OR
1st W.E. Stedman GP Cyclocross, Under 23, RI
1st NBX Grand Prix of Cross, Under 23, RI
1st Schenectady Central Park Cyclocross, NY
1st, 5th Coonamesset Eco Cross, MA
1st, 5th Baystate Cyclocross, Under 23, MA

2nd National Cyclocross Championships, Under 23 Men
2nd USGP Derby City Round 1, Under 23, UCI, Kentucky
2nd, 4th Bedford Springs Cyclocross, MA
2nd New Jersey State Fair Cyclocross
3rd Mercer Cup USGP, Under 23, Day 2, UCI, NJ

5th Amesbury Cyclocross, MA
5th USGP Derby City Round 2, Under 23, UCI, Kentucky
5th NBX Grand Prix of Cross, Elite, RI

6th Whitmore’s Landscaping Supercross, Day 2, UCI, NY
6th USGP Derby City Round 1, Elite, UCI Kentucky
6th USGP Cyclocross Toyota Portland Cup, Elite, Day 1, OR
6th USGP Cyclocross Toyota Portland Cup, Elite, Day 2, OR

7th Whitmore’s Landscaping Supercross, Day 1, UCI, NY
7th Grand Prix of Gloucester, Day 1, UCI, MA
7th Grand Prix of Gloucester, Day 2, UCI, MA
7th Cycle Smart International Cyclocross, Under 23, UCI, MA

7th Suckerbrook Cyclocross, MA
8th USGP Derby City Round 2, Elite, UCI Kentucky
8th Toronto UCI Cyclocross #1