North American briefs

Sucker Brook 'Cross Donates $5,500 to Auburn Teen

An Auburn, New Hampshire teen fighting cancer was the biggest winner of the 4th annual Sucker Brook 'Cross, a cyclo-cross race held at Auburn Village School. Race Director Jack Chapman, with his wife Barbara, recently presented Sean Levesque, 16, with a check for $5,500 to help with medical expenses.

"The donation is thanks to our generous sponsors and racers," Chapman said this week. "Everyone who raced, sponsored or volunteered at the race should be proud of their contribution. The support of local individuals as well as local and regional businesses and organizations has been simply awesome!"

Sean was diagnosed with Stage IV Lymphoma in February, 2008 and will undergo weekly chemotherapy until the Spring of 2010.

The Sucker Brook 'Cross, held Sept. 21, is one of the fastest growing cyclo-cross races in New England. In its fourth year, the event registered 322 racers and has established a tradition of raising money to benefit local residents with cancer or other life threatening diseases. Chapman noted that since 2005 the event has raised a total of $18,000 to aid Auburn cancer victims.

"As cyclo-cross becomes more popular in New England, and as our race continues to grow, we look forward to continuing to help local residents who are in need," Chapman said.

De Stad Series Heads to Cyclo-cross Paradise

The De Stad Cyclo-cross Van Kansas Series presented by Paceline Products is proud to present the Smithville Cyclo-cross Festival Oct. 25th and Oct. 26th. This years festival has moved to what will soon be known has Cyclo-cross Paradise' in the small town of Paradise, Missouri (just 25 minutes North of Kansas City).

A well balanced course has been designed by the Cross Guru for the Smithville Cyclo-cross Festival. The course features 158 feet of climbing per 1.5 mile lap with plenty of pavement, flowing turns, a few off camber turns, a natural steep run up (one the Guru is famous for) and the return of Harter's Horseshoe V2 along the shores of Smithville Lake.

Racing at Sailboat Cove begins Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with the Category 3 / 4 men going off first. The KCA is sponsoring the Category 4 women by supplementing entries, so beginner women race for just $5. Races continue throughout the day with the Category Men 1/2/3 racing at 1:30 p.m. and the finale at 2:45 with the Juniors, Cat. 4 Women, and Masters B.

Visit http://www.kansascitycross.com for all the details.

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Kirsten Frattini
Deputy Editor

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.