This past weekend the Alpha Bicycle Co. – Groove Subaru CX Team had a pretty surreal weekend at the US Open of Cyclocross in Boulder. The team dominated the Men’s Elite races with Gage Hecht winning on Saturday and Brannan Fix getting his first UCI Elite win on Sunday! In addition Katie Clouse, at 17 years old, finished 2nd and 4th in the Women’s Elite field and Turner Ramsay had some of her best finishes of the year riding with some impressive company also in the Women’s Elite. The conditions were polar opposite over the 2 days as you’ll see on the Dropbox link. Bo Bickerstaff captured the images which tell a story of more than just racing.
THE BIKE THEY RACE
The Alpha team has been using the Psychlo X RSL for several seasons. It’s purpose built for Cyclocross racing and leaves no stone unturned with features throughout the frame to make Cyclocross just a bit easier.
We introduced the Psychlo X RSL in 2011 and back then it was a cantilever equipped bike. Since then things have changed to address a much more modern day crosser and the demands high level racing and riding put on the equippment.
Psychlo X RSL frame features:
Double butted tubeset throughout—lighter is better
44mm head tube for stiff, exact cornering and accelerations….each lap of a race there are many of these.
3D printed drop outs that incorporate flat mount. Stiff, light and precise. By printing this piece is allows us to keep alignments exact frame after frame.
Shaped top tube for when on foot. This nice feature gives the top tube a nice shape to rest on shoulder.
38mm of rear tire clearance. At the UCI level riders are held to a 33mm max tire width, which gives mud a place to go on days like this past Sunday. Outside of mud days, you can run a big tire with cofidence with room to spare.
Thru-Axles–front and rear standard. Makes for precise line choice and feel, also makes for a wicked stiff bike when under hard acceleration.
Flat Mount–standard front and rear. Clean and compact, out of the way.
Moots Fork—The entire Alpha Team races on the Moots Carbon Cyclocross and gravel fork. Internal routing, thru-axle, flat mount and hidden fender eyelets for those dark wet winter training rides or commutes.
As Adam the team director put it, it’s so much more than racing. It’s watching these now adults, grow from kids to amazing people. Always humble, always supportive, always with a smile.
Congrats to the team, at Moots we could not be more proud to be a part of this program.
Enjoy the photos and stay tuned for more as our team of 4 set off for the next big Cyclocross event!
Gage Hecht powered his way to a win on Saturday during sunny and warm conditions. Bart Simpson onboard, Emerald Mountain Green logos in the sun.
Katie Clouse puts the Psychlo X RSL to the test on one of many hills that litter the Valmont Bike Park.
Turner Ramsay had a great weekend, always gloveless no matter the weather.
Turner post-race looks back on her Psychlo X RSL.
Brannan Fix gets some sun during Saturday’s race.
Gage takes the win in the UCI C2 Elite Men’s race.
Podium for Gage, the only metal bike present. For the WIN!
Team Director Adam Rachubinski keeps the team dialed.
The tale of two days. Sunday brought 7” of fresh snow on warm ground, which turned Valmont Bike Park into a Cyclocrossers dream. Katie would battle all race long in 1st & 2nd spot and in the end came away with the 2nd step on the podium in the Elite Women’s race…….all this at age 17.
Turner…again, no gloves, no knee warmer warmers, all heart. Elite Women, her best reuslts in a talent heavy field.
The effort was off the charts high.
Teammates to the core.
Adam and staff kept the machines clean and running smooth. Those new anodized logos held up to 3500psi every lap. How’s that for field testing?
Sunday would be Brannan’s day. Lurking in the top 6 for the entire race, Brannan made the last two laps count as he surged forward with absolute possed concentration that resulted in the win! Congrats to Brannan for his first every UCI C2 win! Team, that’s what it’s about!
Gage looked to be headed towards his second win of the weekend before a jammed chain had him running to the pits from a long way out. He rallied and came back from almost dead last to 7th on the day.
Look at those eyes. This is what full concentration and riding like a man possessed looks like. Brannan put all the pieces together to come up with a stellar win on Sunday. Lucky number 13!
Gage puts that shaped top tube of the Psychlo X RSL to use during a running section on Sunday. The shaped top tube takes the bit out of the contact point between bike and rider.
Over the line for the “W”!!
Happy teammates!!!
Brannan on the top step with some powerful company!
Bart hung in their all weekend long. Here’s mud in your eye.
Give the team a follow on the socials:
Alpha Bicycle Co. – Groove Subaru Cycling Team on FB
Links from the past weekend:
Day One: US OPEN OF CYCLOCROSS ELITE MEN
DAY Two: US OPEN OF CYCLOCROSS ELITE WOMEN
Day Two: US OPEN OF CYCLOCROSS ELITE MEN
NEXT UP FOR THE ALPHA BICYCLE CO. – GROOVE SUBARU CYCLING TEAM:
Cincinnati October 27th & 28th
Join us for team night at BIOWHEELS
TEAM NIGHT AT BIOWHEELS (click the link for more info)
