KSP athletes move into first in State Championship Series Racing
The state championship series, which has two races to go has turned into an exciting and tough race season. The caliber of racing in Texas continues to improve across all categories from year to year.
The STORM Hill Country Mountain Bike Challenge in Comfort, Texas was stop number 6 on the Texas State Championship Series calendar. The race was run as an omnium and included short track and time trial races on Saturday and a long cross country race on Sunday. KSP athlete Scott Henry, who has had an excellent year thus far, was slightly outgunned in the short track, but established himself as the clear favorite going into the cross country by winning the time trial despite having a flat for a mile of the course.
In the cross country, Henry attacked on the first turn, established the race lead, and won the men's pro field without a challenge. His wins in the TT and XC earned him the overall victory in the general classification and moved him into the first place spot in the state rankings.
KSP athlete John Howell, who races as a cat 1 in the 60+ category has shown outstanding in-season improvements. Howell, who is known for his technical riding and climbing abilities, was well-suited to the terrain at Comfort. Despite battling a spring cold, Howell pulled off a third place finish and moved into first in the state championship series.
Newly upgraded KSP athlete, David Kessler, who is returning from a back injury to compete in the men's Cat 1 19-29 field, established a personal record and his first Cat 1 top 5 finish. Said Kessler of his race, "I felt GREAT out there, with all of the time off, I expected nothing, and yet, I was able to chase, attack, and really hammer. I never expected to come in 4th."
KSP ahletes have posted excellent results all season, with numerous top 5's, Coach included. Krause currently sits in 2nd place in the state series, and her training is on-track to have some great performances during her summer and fall racing.
Congratulations to all of the KSP athletes who have put in the hard miles in the saddle and earned their victories this season!