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Tobin Ortenblad is a Cyclocross Privateer – Garrett Kautz

Reportage By: John Watson

Tobin Ortenblad is a Cyclocross Privateer – Garrett Kautz

Tobin Ortenblad is a Cyclocross Privateer
Words by Garrett Kautz and photos by Brett Rothmeyer

Tobin Ortenblad isn’t your typical 22-year-old, nor does he fit the mold of most professional bicycle racers. Sure, he has a coach and a training plan, but that’s where the path begins to blur. Tobin was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California and spent most of his formative years riding BMX bikes, building jumps and eating burritos. Fast forward a decade and he’s fresh off winning the Under 23 Cyclocross National Championship in Asheville. This year, racing in the Elite category, his results have proven that the off-season wasn’t squandered at the beach. He’s finished consistently in the top ten (or top five) at UCI C1 races and a top thirty at both World Cups. Most impressive is that he’s currently doing all this, without a pro contract. We wanted to catch up with the privateer and see what he’s been up to since his big win in January.

All the Action from the Women’s Elite Trek CXC Cup – Kevin Sparrow

Reportage By: John Watson

All the Action from the Women’s Elite Trek CXC Cup – Kevin Sparrow

All the Action from the Women’s Elite Trek CXC Cup
Photos and words by Kevin Sparrow

To me, the Trek CXC Cup is the official start of the midwest cyclocross season. The best of the best show up and battle it out on the Trek Factory grounds. This year was huge. World Champion, Wout Van Aert and a bunch of Belgians, showed up and, as expected, destroyed the rest of Men’s field. It was impressive, and it goes to show that they are (still) on a totally different level than the US. Although this seemed more like a training ride for Wout, a shout out to Stephen Hyde, the top US finisher, seems deserving.

I’m sure, by now you have read about (or watched) the results and highlights from this past weekend on all the typical media outlets. Yeah, having a world champion race in front of you was pretty rad, but when it comes to good ol’ fashioned racin’ the Women’s Elite race was where all the action was happening.

Most of the Women’s Elite raced both days, unlike the Men’s field who were saving their precious legs for C1 points. That alone says a lot about the Women’s field and about Women’s CX racing in general. It’s positive, healthy competition that seems to be based around the love for racing. The way it should be. I heard many words of encouragement and solidarity at the start, during the race, and at the finish line.

I could go on and give a play by play but that seems sort of boring. Instead, just enjoy some photos of some real rippers from this past weekend. Read the captions for a better feel for the course.

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Follow Kevin on Instagram.

Radar

Chasing the Rainbow Stripes

Santini is the Official Partner of the UCI and supporter of the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland. The WCC is a coaching and training facility that offers development for around 100 athletes each year, in three Olympic disciplines: road, track and racing BMX. Check out more at the Santini UCI collection.

Patent Leather Helmet by Joe Parkin

Radar

Patent Leather Helmet by Joe Parkin

“It was early fall, 1990, in Dublin, Ireland. I had just finished the final stage of the Tour of Ireland and was collecting myself a little, off away from the crowds and the other riders. I’d gone for the long breakaway — me and Irish rider Martin Early — but our bid had been shut down by one of the other teams. There wasn’t too much time to think about what could have been, though, before I was mobbed by some young boys looking for souvenirs.

They took the race numbers off my back and the bottle I hadn’t tossed away in the finale. I’d already had an Avocet cyclometer stolen earlier in the week, so I was pretty protective of the new one, but they did ask for it. They even asked for my jersey and shoes. I think they would’ve taken my shorts and socks if I’d offered.

And then one of them asked for my helmet.”

Continue reading Joe Parkin’s story on his hairnet helmet at Brancale!

Radar

Froome on Climbing

Gilette interviewed Chris Froome, the winner of Stage 08 of the TdF, while he was training in Mallorca, Spain with Team Sky about how he became such a good climber.

Radar

JPows and the Sandpit

Jeremy Powers is no stranger to riding sandpits in UCI ‘cross races, yet he still has a love / hate relationship with each and every one.

Ornot Ornot
Mondraker Mondraker
Endura Endura
Flagstaff Flagstaff
45NRTH 45NRTH
State Bicycle Co State Bicycle Co
Paul Paul
Gravel Adventure Field Guide Gravel Adventure Field Guide
Leatt Leatt
Rivendell Rivendell
SimWorks SimWorks
Quad Lock Quad Lock