Bike World News

Chris is a veteran of the road scene, having wrenched for teams such as Mercury, T-Mobile, Nurnberger, Navigators and USA Cycling in the past. 2008 and 2009 have found Chris in the service of the UCI Continental squad, Team Type 1.

For the 2009/2010 cross season, Chris is working for Champion Systems rider Chris Jones. Jones opened his season with a dramatic 2nd place at CrossVegas and has consistently been in the top five of the NACT and USGP events.

Derby City Cup Louisville- Two Races

Louisville, Kentucky. The 16th largest metro area in the USA if you believe the full size images of the mayor in the airport. For me it was another late Friday night arrival, rental car, hotel, get to bed immediately so I can get up super early to assemble Chris’ race bikes. Chris shipped the bikes here from Providence, yet had to fly with a double wheel case with spare wheels. On any given weekend we pay more in baggage fees that ticket fees.

So the Derby City Cup, two races in a flat park next to the river with somewhat dry conditions. Or so we thought. They did have some rain on Thursday and Friday, but none for the weekend. The course would have probably been dry for the men’s race on Saturday afternoon, with the earlier races drying out the course, but if not for the promoter’s course design. You see, we cross mechanics like the bike wash to be as close to the pits as possible, so we can get dirty bikes turned around quickly and back to the rider. However in Louisville, the promoter looped the course around the bike washing area, including some sections that were at a lower elevation than the bike wash. Net result is run off from the bike wash area submerges a section of the course. So one big mudpuddle dip each lap. Hence the photos from the weekend with all the riders covered in mud. Chris wore a white long sleeve skinsuit both days, we will be throwing those pieces out, as then will never come clean again.

Tire selection was big this weekend. Chris had Grifos, Fangos and a pair of Rhinos available. Saturday was the Rhinos from nearly start to finish. 24 psi front and rear. I brought a new digital tire gauge to the race this weekend to better monitor pressures. Chris usually starts the day with everything at 32 psi and lets air out from there. I have been trying to quantify what one or two ‘pissst’ is, as Chris lets air out by hand and goes by feel of the tire. When I balked surprise at 24 psi on the digital gauge, Jones smiled and says ‘come on dude, its cross!’

We had a less than perfect mechanical day on Saturday, as Chris can ride with the best guys there, but came home with a disappointing 6th place. He can win races with all the big boys there, Vegas showed what he can do. Saturday night was tense as I spent extra time going over the bikes and replacing chains and cables, filing some chainrings, and rechecking bolts. Sunday needed to go well.

Sunday was kinda quiet, Chris got up and rode, then ate and took a nap. I worked on a couple of last minute things, changing some brake pads, and checking tire pressures on all the wheel sets.

Sunday’s course was completely dry, save the bike wash mud puddle. Switch to the Grifos on both bikes. Pressures in the mid twenties again. Chris went well; he was the aggressor in the chase group, burning matches early to chase the CDale boys. Seems like some riders are content to let the CDale go up the road. Not Jones, he is hungry for the win. Chased valiantly all day, but had to settle for 5th. Bikes ran better, made me happy.

Post race and we got super fortunate. The CDale/Cyclocross team is using a big Cannondale trailer for transporting their cross bikes to the races. A little polite request and Troy, their mechanic, agreed to transport two of Chris’s bikes to Boulder for next weekend. This is huge! No more airline fees and no more complete re-assemblies each weekend. Troy is super nice; he has half of the pro field’s bikes in the back of his trailer, what an awesome guy.

So Boulder next weekend. And Halloween too. Chris’ sponsors have some special kit and parts to celebrate the 31st in store. It will be worth checking out; I will have some more pics of the special setup next week.

Big props also go out to Paul Damato and SRAM for taking care of us with some extra parts. We had a few issues this weekend, but SRAM has stepped up and brought some solutions to the table to will ensure that we are dialed going forward. Chris will be 100% RED in Boulder.

See you in Colorado,

Chris Davidson

Related Posts:

• Chris Davidson’s Diary – USGP Mercer Day 2 (0)
• Chris Davidson’s Diary – USGP Mercer Day 1 (1)
• Chris Davidson’s Cross Report – Two Days in Gloucester (0)
• U.S Gran Prix of Cyclocross Mercer Cup Races Back into New Jersey (1)
• Team Type 1 reveals 2010 Pro Men’s Roster (3)