“Team Rize” rider Greg Junge of Tryon had an impressive weekend at the 2013 N.C. Grand Prix of Cyclocross.

Taking a third on Saturday morning in the 36 degree rain and mud, and a first place on Sunday with extremely muddy conditions in Cat. 4.
“My teammate Brandon Highsmith told me you better get the Hole shot (first person to the first turn) if you want to win in this mud. So I sprinted like crazy from a second row start position, got the hole shot and led every lap!” said Junge.
Christopher Kent of Asheville ,also on Team Rize, took a fifth place Saturday and a fourth on Sunday, keeping the Rize Jerseys near the front of the pack for the whole weekend.
The NCGP brings the fastest riders in the state and region to Hendersonville every year for some really great racing. Cyclocross is referred as the Steeplechase of bicycles. It is a mixed sport that combines road riding and mountain biking. Races typically take place in the autumn and winter (the international or World Cup season is October–February), and consist of many laps of a short (1.5–2  mile) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount quickly, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount. The sport is strongest in the traditional road cycling countries such as Belgium (Flanders in particular), France and the Netherlands, but quickly gaining popularity in the United States. Last year’s cyclocross world championships took place in Kentucky, a first time for the USA to host such an event. Team Rize is sponsored by Rize Performance, Bicycle Time bike shop, Tile Specialties, Henson Collision and Nature’s Storehouse. The next cyclocross event will be at the Biltmore Estate on Jan. 18 and 19. There will be discounted tickets to get on the grounds for both days.
-article submitted
by Greg Junge