Bicycle Steeplechase

Cyclocross is a bicycle race run over an obstacle course. The racers have to dismount to run over barriers or up stairs, then remount and resume peddling. It requires explosive strength, aerobic fitness and a strong tactical approach. It's a mind body sport that creates exciting competitions. Another RadXSports video clip.

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Narration:We look at an anaerobic type of bike racing...

As bicycle racing gets more popular it is morphing into all sorts of different competitive formats. Cyclocross has been around for almost 100 years, but it's only now coming into its own.

The Tour de France is the marquee event in endurance bike racing. BMX is the new Olympic biking sport, but it's the hybrid race, cyclocross, that's growing fastest.

The women's elite division was a typically tight race. Major Beth Mason, a physical therapist stationed at West Point, was a favorite in the highly competitive field at Newburgh. Mason was in second place after a grueling first lap.

She was focused enough to take the lead on lap number 2. She pushed hard to maintain her lead and lap the trailers.

With 3 laps to go Beth was cruising, comfortably in front.

Then, with one lap to go, she had company. Katina Walker had closed fast and, when they came around for the stretch run, it was Walker in the lead. A disappointed Mason finished a few seconds back, done ion by mechanical failures and a tactical opponent.

Like any park in any city on a festival day, people socialized at food booths offering sinful treats.

Back to the races and the men's elite bracket; nine top competitors testing their strength, speed and fortitude on the tough Downing Park course.

Andrew Crooks took the early lead and tried to stretch out the pack. As they headed to the lower section there was some separation between the racers. Crooks was ahead of Christian Favata going out, but on the return leg Favata had taken control.

Third time over the double barrier and Favata was in the lead, but not by much. Gavriel Epstein was close behind him, waiting for an opportunity. Then this happened on the long uphill stretch on the far side of the course.

Another chain dropped, another lead change. There's still a lot of racing to go, but Favata has a lot of time to make up.

A lap to go and Epstein hasn't let Favata get any closer than 10 seconds back. Epstein cruises over the finish line, savoring his win.

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• NY
• Downing Park
• travel
• tourism
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• New York
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• extreme sports
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• bike
• exercise
• anaerobic
• aerobic
• waffles
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• yt:stretch=16:9
• biking

[benjiheads]

how is it harder bigger wheels thinner tyres

[benjiheads]

just get a mountain bike