• Written by: Lin Ruobai
• Date: Sun Mar 14 2010

Feng Kuan Jie won the final round of the Specialized Shanghai Cyclocross series on Saturday with a ride similar to that of a motorbike, leaving his rivals almost a lap behind. His win also clinched him the series overall win.

Shanghai Specialized Cyclocross Final (Race #3)
Feng Kuan Jie rocks Shanghai
Race 1 winner dominates on mostly dry course

Feng Kuan Jie completed his dominance of the Specialized Cyclocross Series

The Holy Brother Cycling rider from Suzhou who won the first race of the series wearing dossard number nine, launched himself away from the pack off the start. He blew past any riders he caught, leaving the remains of the riders to fight for minor placings. Specialized rider Gary Loafman took second place at more than a minute back, from the chase group of two, with Shanghai Trek China Racing rider Cui Yinhao in third about 30 seconds back.

Cui Yinhao works hard to hold of Specialized rider Gary Loafman (background) Loafman would prove too strong. Photo© James Le

The mens race was a fast and relatively dry affair yesterday with the winner completing 16 laps and lapping the entire field except for second and third place.  The third race of the Shanghai series saw an increase in numbers yet again, with riders arriving at the race by the bus load. A new course design saw some run ups that truly sucked the momentum out of cyclists and really tested their fitness.

Specialized rider Gary Loafman rode consistent and strong to take second place. Photo© James Le

40 minutes in the saddle (Mens B and Womens Race)

David Cole won the 40 minute test of the Specialized Cyclingnewsasia Cyclocross series. The American has been a consistent rider throughout the series and today he showed true class, leading from the first lap. Jon Nordmeyer and Luo Jiamin didn't quite have the legs to catch him before the line after all three riders completed 10 laps of the fast (semi-sticky) course. Antonio Muttoni finished just off the podium around 3 minutes back.

David Cole with the team that supported him in the win. Photo© James Le

After the cold and rainy conditions of the last race, riders were greeted with overcast skies and a pleasant temperature (around 13 degrees) for their final race. The B Grade peloton was in high spirits and enjoyed having a laugh at some good natured humour by Specializeds' Eric Koh at the start line - a great way to get started.

A Panaracer Club rider gives 120%. Photo© James Le

From the word GO! David Cole was away immediately followed by Jon Nordmeyer and Luo Jiamin and the race would remain this way most of the day. Behind the leaders riders Antonio Muttoni, Huang Min, Yu Xiao Ai, Stephen Gow and Jean Charles Onillon fought hard to bring them back, at one stage narrowing the gap slightly. Unfortunately for the chasers, the leaders pace was too hot and they finished very similar to their starts. First David Cole, second Jon Nordmeyer, and third place Luo Jiamin.

A happy Jon Nordmeyer heads to the podium. Photo© James Le

Spectators lining the course saw a familiar site with Tori Widdowson leading the womens race, followed by Yuki Zhao and Melissa Devoogdt. After the positive feedback Specialized has received from the ladies after the first few races, numbers had increased dramatically for this race. The womens race was a hard fought one, but Widdowson was able to pull away for the win - allowing her the overall of the series as well!

Spectators were out early to get the best spots on the course. Photo© James Le

Overall the three-race Specialized Cyclocross series has been a massive success. Cyclingnewsasia spoke with a B Grade participant at the race who said:

You guys should be congratulated on a truly excellent event. This race has far outweighed my expectations; in fact I was surprised at how professional, and how much fun these events were. A huge well done and thank you, to Specialized and Cyclingnewsasia for putting on such a great series of events!

Ladies podium (l-r) Melissa Devoogdt and Tori Widdowson. Photo© James Le

***FULL RESULTS AND GENERAL CLASSIFICATION WILL BE RELEASED LATER TODAY WITH A STACK OF NEW PHOTOS***

Specialzied Cyclingnewsasia Race 3 Results

Womens

Place/Rider Name/Avg Speed (km/h)

1. Tori Widdowson/19.99
2. Melissa Devogdt/19.25
3. Yuki Zhao/19.23
4. Yali Zhang/17.94
5. Clara Ching/12.67

Mens B Podium (l-r) Jon Nordmeyer, David Cole, Liu Jiamin. Photo© James Le

B Grade

Place/Rider Name/Avg Speed (km/h)

1. David Cole /27.33
2. Jon Nordmeyer/27.06
3. Luo Jiamin/26.87
4. Antonio Muttoni/26.54
5. Huang Min/26.22
6. Yu Xiao Ai/25.9
7. Stephen Gow/24.93
8. Jean Charles Onillion/24.7
9. Cam Lee/24.61
10. Eric Loriot/24.41
11. Antonio D'Angio/24.32
12. Filippo Resini/24.27
13. Xiang Jiang/24.10
14. Gu Ming/24.08
15. Sean Xie/23.93
16. Rider #88/23.87
17. Maurizio Galante/23.84
18. Marco Pozzo/23.79
19. Ian Foulsham/23.73
20. Ke Jiang/23.73
21. Tom Burgess/23.72

Mens A Podium (l-r) Specialized Angel, Gary Loafman (Specialized Angel?), Feng Kuan Jie (Holy Brother), Cui Yinhao (Trek), Specialized Angel. Photo© James Le

A Grade

Place/Rider Name/Avg Speed (Km/h)

1. Feng Kuan Jie/30.84
2. Gary Loafman/29.46
3. Cui Yinhao/29.23
4. Robert Lamb/28.41
5. Martin Breuvart/28.16
6. Tore Tjetland/28.11
7. Chang Bin/27.89
8. Zhao Liang/27.18
9. Shen Jin Chun/26.87
10. Thomas LeCoq/26.57
11. Zhu Tian Yuan/26.54
12. Wang Rui/25.77
13. Wang Jun/25.47
14. Rider#7/25.4
15. Ken Gilbert/25.26
16. Christian Goesker/25.15
17. Kevin Corfa/25.02
18. Yang Qi/25.01
19. Rider #20/24.76
20. Chen Xin Rong/24.46
21. Sun Weihong/24.31
22. Rider #23/24.14