This photo received the most number of votes from the 11 Judge panel. Photos were judged based on:

1)       Quality of photo

2)       Composition

3)       Framing

4)       IF the photo captures “Cross”

5)       If the photo captures COTR?

One of the best Cross Photographers out there, Joe Sales, was one of our judges and he had this to say about Halldor’s photo:

A Euro-maxed out dude shoulder to shoulder with a guy rocking disc brakes and a BC bike race jersey with fans cheering.  Older dude even has a bloody mini-bike light on his handlebars. And its  a perfect mild pan, just enough to capture motion and spoke blur but the riders are sharp.   The colours aren't dialed in but content is king.  This picture wins for sure.   There's even a baseball diamond in the background!  This picture shows that there is something for everyone at COTR: Euro - geekiness, Fred-Geekiness and crazed rabid spectators.   And after the race you can play softball.

The Tour of Tucson is one of many mass participation rides that attracts thousands of entries. I wonder if Nanaimo will ever see an event that attracts so many riders. Here is an interesting video of the leaders, the mid- pack, and the stragglers hitting a sharp climb. Note the difference in approach and the resulting variety of outcomes.

Arrangements are being completed for MIVA home trainer evenings. The weekly "sweat with the oldies" sessions will be on Thursday evenings from 7-8pm at a venue to be announced. There will be great videos and loud music to mask the pain! The Sufferfest series of training videos has been purchased and, believe me, these super productions will make you really work!

MIVA  riders posted more good results in the final Cross on the Rock event in Victoria on Sunday. Thanks to Janna Gillick for this report.

In the Intermediate Women's race, Charlene Stewart proved that consistency is key. She finished fifth, giving her enough points to take second place in the series. Vicki Boyd narrowly missing a 3rd straight win in Intermediate Women, finishing only seconds behind the winner. Colleen Wtorek and Charlene Hay toughed it out through the mud for a couple of solid finishes.

In Intermediate Men, Shawn Boyd finished 6th and Corey Friesen had a great finish for his first race in this new category.

A big crash and some mechanicals in expert women took out most the field so Janna Gillick managed to end the season with a good result too.

MIVA member Bill McMillan sent this interim report from the Cross on the Rock final in Mechosin

" I can tell you it was a mudfest. 14% DNF, at least 10 derailleurs torn off. The course incorporated a lap of a motocross track that turned from frozen to sloppy

upy mud as the racing progressed. I was happy with my 4th place, best finish of my injury plagued season. A minute ahead of me was Robert James Russell . I liked Rob's comment: " I want to move to Expert, so I can comfortably race in the middle of the pack with minimal pressure to win."  The podium in the masters series was decided on the final day, with each of the top guys suffering from the stress. Shepherd Stewart ran a good race, as did Ron Hewitson. Iain Hay succumbed to the mud :)"