Mud. True 'cross racers love it, they beg for it, yet when truly in the thick of it they know anything can happen. Mud can be your friend or it can be your foe, sometimes a little of both. At the recent UCI World Cup in Waterloo, Wisconsin Gage Hecht was on the less fortunate side of what a muddy course can dish out.
Gage would suffer an untimely, mud-induced mechanical issue in the early laps of the race and never quite got back in to the mix. "Around the second lap I had an issue that forced me to run a while to the pits," said Gage. "With these conditions the chances of this sort of thing happening are much higher." Gage would go on to finish 27th on the day. He now looks forward to some training back home in preparation for the Oz Cross in Fayetteville, AR. and his home state race, the US Open in Boulder, CO.
The calm before the storm. "When I saw the conditions I was really looking forward to getting out there. I love this stuff." - Gage Hecht
Let's run. "I felt pretty good throughout the day, although on days like this I always feel as though I should have run more in training!" - Gage Hecht
Never give up. "After first lap I was near the top 15 , but a mechanical forced me to run a ways to get a fresh bike in the pit. It took another lap to really get a good rhythm going again. I really found my groove the last half of the race. I was pretty proud to have fought my way back from basically last place into the top 30. " - Gage Hecht
Sponsor Highlight // Full Speed Ahead Our team has been graciously supported by Full Speed Ahead for more years than we can count. We know we can rely on their rigorously tested and proven components to handle the demands only a pro cross racer can dish out. Whether it's on the trail, tarmac or in between the course tape, look no further than Full Speed Ahead for all of your component needs.
Rider Tire Selection and Pressure
Gage Hecht (Sun.)
Front: PDX / 19 psi
Rear: PDX / 20 psi
Donnelly Professional Cycling Team Sponsors
Donnelly Bicycles
Aevolo Cycling
Shimano
Full Speed Ahead
Vision
Cuore Cycling Apparel
POC
SockGuy
Feedback Sports
Victory Circle Graphix
ProNet Cycling
For media and sponsorship inquires email: info@donnelllycycling.com
Team Schedule (Tentative)
Rochester Cyclocross – Rochester, NY
Jingle Cross World Cup – Iowa City, IA
Trek CXC World Cup – Waterloo, WI
NEXT RACE:
Oz Cross - Fayetteville Arkansas
US Open of Cyclocross – Boulder, CO
Cincinnati UCI Cyclocross - Cincinnati. OH
Silver Goose - Midland, ON
Pan Am Games - Midland, ON
Ruts N Guts CX – Broken Arrow, OK
USA National Championships – Tacoma, WA
UCI World Championships – Dubendorf, CH