Max Plaxton, Sid Taberlay and Todd Wells in an uphill breakaway (Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Team Sho-Air/Specialized wrapped up the inaugural ProXCT men's team title this past weekend in Windham, New York, thanks to a second and fourth place by its riders, Max Plaxton and Sid Taberlay, at the final round.
Throughout the six-round series, both Plaxton and Taberlay never finished worse than second place at any given round between them, and each rider also collected a win. The duo made double podium appearances together at Sea Otter, Bump 'n' Grind and finally, at Windham - capping off a stellar season for the team.
Taberlay and Plaxton ended up second and third, respectively, in the individual ProXCT standings.
The 2009 season proved to be a rebirth for Taberlay after the former World Cup rider and Olympian found himself in the United States and without a ride at the end of 2008. The scrappy Australian was a factor at almost every round this year, taking a big win at round three at the Bump 'n' Grind in Alabama and narrowly missing winning the overall title.
For Plaxton, 2009 was a confirmation of the 23-year-old Canadian's talents. Plaxton took over the ProXCT lead at Sea Otter in April and held the jersey for several rounds, even taking his first US national career win in Colorado Springs. If not for an off day at the Mount Snow round, the Canadian may have won the overall jersey. Regardless, he bounced back the following week to take a well-fought second at the series final in Windham.
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Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews. She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.
