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Cyclo-cross

Jones and Krasniak top single speed cyclo-cross championships

published 21 November 2011

San Francisco's Golden Gate Park hosts world titles

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One of the "feats of strength" was a run up the infamous Lyon Street steps - a very long and steep staircase(Image credit: Jenny Oh Hatfield)

Refreshments post-race may or may not have included alcohol(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Julie Krasniak (Rapha Focus) had a big lead(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Julie Krasniak (Rapha Focus) (Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Blood was drawn.(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

The Rapha Focus riders had an edge in the form of mechanic Dan Horndasch(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

A Belgian tan for Chris Jones(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

The winner, Chris Jones, was forced to don gold hot pants for the podium(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Supporters from San Francisco's Castro district?(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Rachel Lloyd made a brief comeback(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Axl Rose(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Julie Krasniak climbs the run-up(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Competitors had to cross a muddy water filled trough(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Trepidation at the Obstacle of Unusual Size(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

The SSCXWC attracted a slightly crazy crowd.(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Chris Jones (Rapha Focus) was the SSCX winner(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Riders push their bikes up the steep, lengthy run-up(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Chris Jones had a large lead heading into the logs(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

The Bride from Kill Bill?(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Guns on a Mexican wrestler(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Erin Durkee's banana costume looks a little ripe(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Santa's little helper is looking a little muddy(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Barb Howe(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

Julie Krasniak's finest moment.(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

There were geared races in the morning.(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

(Image credit: Jason Perry Photography)

(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Qualifiers at Ocean Beach(Image credit: Jenny Oh Hatfield)

Riders had to qualify for the championships through "feats of strength" which included a dune run at Ocean Beach(Image credit: Jenny Oh Hatfield)

Skipping the jersey cuts down on laundry loads.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Superhero!(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

There were thrills and spills.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

White was a poor color choice for the mucky race.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Smurf.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

There was one tandem in the race.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

This was just one muddy run-up(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Riders tackle one of the steep descents.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Plastic was a good choice in attire for a very muddy race.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Some racers went with minimalistic costumes(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Some racers had more complicated attire(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

More cowbell?(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

There was plenty of beer on hand, of course delivered by bicycle(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Is it the governator?(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

The obstacle of unusual size was a water trough.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Rachel Lloyd came out of retirement, briefly, as a shark.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

It's the chick's race.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Julie Krasniak soloed to the victory in Golden Gate Park.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Some wore wigs under their helmets.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Some wore wigs on top of their helmets.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

It's another chick race.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

The guys who raced were mostly clowns.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Some racers took things seriously.(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

Spiderman(Image credit: Laura Weislo)

The Rapha Focus duo Chris Jones and Julie Krasniak took out the unofficial titles at the 2011 Single Speed Cyclo-cross World Championships, held in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on Sunday.

Costumed competitors took to the 2km circuit which had been thoroughly soaked by overnight storms to compete for the overall prize: not a gold medal, not a rainbow jersey, but a world championship tattoo.

The single speed cyclo-cross discipline has been growing in popularity through the grass-roots efforts of local 'cross promoters, and the first "world championships" were held in 2007 in Portland, Oregon.

The 2011 event whittled down the hundreds of entrants to 150 starters in the men's race through qualifying "feats of strenght" on Saturday which included several challenges scattered around San Francisco: a sprint up California Street's knee-breaking grades, a run up the Lyon Street steps 40% grade, a dollar grab, wheel change and a sand dune challenge at Ocean Beach.

On race day, riders were lined up on the grid and then surprised with a Le Mans-style start which sent them up a steep run up back to the grid in search of their machines to start the race.

Rapha Focus riders Chris Jones and Julie Krasniak, dressed in "I love wieners" costumes, each secured early leads which they never relinquished, inspired perhaps to ride faster while being chased by a shark, chicken, gorilla and crocodile, among other "creatures".

You can view the full video interview with Julie Krasniak here.