Taberlay plays team tactics for win

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Clear skies, an all-new cross country course, temperatures in the 80s and a record 680+ racers were the elements of a perfect script for Bonelli Park, which hosted the opening round of the US Kenda Cup West on Sunday. The men's elite cross country race was nothing short of a barn burner as a field of 40 pro men lined up. In the end, Sid Tablerlay rode solo to a win after breaking away with help from teammate Sam Jurekovic (Sho-Air/Specialized) and Andy Schultz (Kenda/Tomac/Hayes).

Immediately at the start of the four-lap event, KHS/Cytomax rider Chuck Jenkins put the power down at the front as he began the first climb. Jenkins held the tempo just until the top when Jurekovic took over. That lead was short-lived as national series regular Schultz (Kenda/Tomac/Hayes) went to the front before the first major downhill and applied the pressure. Schultz's aggressive riding quickly separated the men from the boys and the field was down to four with Schultz, Jurekovic, Taberlay and Mexico's Emmanuel Valencia in tow.

The group of four remained intact into the second lap until the first climb, where Taberlay tested the field for the first time. Only Team Turbo's Valencia was able to respond, and Schultz and Jurekovic slipped behind. Taberlay, knowing he had the numbers, decided to sit up and wait for teammate Jurekovic to bridge up. However, that didn't last long as Schultz again turned the screws as soon as he made contact with Taberlay and Valencia and then proceeded off the front.

"After I settled in, I made an initial attack to test the guys because Valencia was climbing really well today," said Taberlay.

Schultz drove the pace at the front with Jurekovic, Taberlay, Valencia in tow. Taberlay and Jurekovic responded, however Valencia's first effort to match Taberlay's acceleration put him in difficulty. Now on the back section of the 7.5-mile loop, it was down to three riders. With an obvious mismatch – with two Sho-Air/Specialized riders in the group – the five-time Australian National Champion Taberlay decided he had had enough and made a go off the front.

"Once Andy and Sammy J got back on, Andy punched it again. But once we brought that back and got rid of Valencia, I thought I should take another go," said Taberlay.

Taberlay absconded off the front leaving Schultz as the odd man out. He had to drag around former U23 National Champion Jurekovic, who was playing perfect team tactics. Going through the feed zone climb starting lap three, Taberlay had opened up over 1:15 lead ahead of Schultz and Jurekovic. Off the back of that duo came Valencia, dangling 35 seconds further back.

Once out front, Taberlay cooled the afterburners as he came through the feed zone with heavy traffic on the fourth and final lap. A minute later, Jurekovic appeared all alone as he had dislodged Schultz and was all alone in second. Forty five seconds later, Schultz appeared alone in third.

"From there on out, my manager was giving me time checks so I could manage my effort," said Taberlay.

At the finish line, Taberlay won, beating Jurekovic by 16 seconds. Schultz was one minute back.

"This course was definitely fast, so team tactics really came into play," said Schultz. "Unfortunately my other teammates weren't here, so I ended up on the short end of the stick once it was down to the three of us, but hey that's racing. That said, I feel like my training is coming along nicely and I should have some more horsepower at the Pro XCT race in Fontana when my teammates arrive."

In the women's race, American Krista Park won with a time of 1:40:41. She defeated Canadian Melanie McQuaid (Sho-Air/Specialized) by 1:31. Natasha Hernday (Amgen) was third.

See Cyclingnews' full coverage of the US Cup West opener.