The growth and success of the Southern California Cyclocross Cup continues to draw big names(Daniello Pontoni, Andy Jacque-Mayes, Jackson Stewart and Kris Kringle) , big fields and great races, but today's race at Pierce College in Woodland Hills featured 6 time tour champ Lance Armstrong and Tony Cruz of USPS, soon to be Discovery Channel.
Before the A-Mens race Santa had arranged two of his cronies to dress up as Old St. Nick to confuse the elite class. The race started quickly with the three Santas taking quick control of the the field with Celo Pacific rider Brent Prenzlow, Amstrong and Cruz at the tail end. The pace up the fast twisting climb caused by Santas #2 & 3 was blistering and a gap soon formed. As the group weaved there way down and up into the set of barriers it was clear that this wasn't Lance or Tony's first stroll through the cross park.
 
The group stayed somewhat together through the twisty single track and back to the start finish area with Santa #1 now leading the charge and a calm yet laboring Armstrong in tow. As the two riders powered up the steep start of the climb, the rest of the field, save for Cruz and Prenzlow were strung out all over the course. Santa #1 and Armstrong rode neck and neck for several more laps with Prenzlow and Cruz making pace behind. Armstrong put in a move on the climb with 5 to go causing a gap on Santa #1. Santa #1 shouted to Lance at the next swithback, "Your officially on the Naughty List now boy!!" Lance replied, "I'm already on that list remember." Many a lapped rider could be heard saying, "Get a picture of Lance behind me!". Photos for the scrapbook, indeed. With the bell lap Armstrong had a 30 second lead on the now furious Santa #1 who had trained all summer with several T-Mobil riders in South Africa for this event. Lance rolled in for the win to a thunderous crowd. As Santa #1 crossed the line for 2nd he shook his fist at the crowd threating to put them on the Naughty List too for not cheering louder for him. Prenzlow attacked on the last dismount getting a gap on Cruz to take a solid 3rd place, Cruz crossed the line looking a bit too comfortable for 4th. Cruz later said he had just gotten off the Naughty List and had no intentions of being put back on.
"My head is about to explode, that was hard!" stated Armstrong after the race. After the race Lance graciously signed some autographs and took photos after a quick smooch and congratulations from girlfriend Sheryl Crow. Promoter Gary Hanson of Team Amgen/Scary Fast was quite pleased to have Amstrong and Cruz in attendance and indicated that Lance and Tony had donated their prize money to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
The Southern California Cross Cup features two more races. January 2nd. on the central coast in Solvang, CA hosted by Mike Hecker… www.RideSB.com
The big final race of the series takes place at the famous Hart Park European style course in Bakersfield, CA. hosted by Sam Ames and… www.kernwheelmen.org
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