By nature cyclocross is brutal – at times testing riders against harsh winter elements. But this is Los Angeles and while the sky went from pleasantly sunny to pleasantly cloudy the worst conditions racers faced was the film of dust kicked into the air.

The course itself was challenging, seeming to be a no-flow hamster-cage taunting racers. Even as route revisions made after the first-day of racing ironed out some excessive braking, growing pains on the field’s pitch were still noticeable to both spectators as well as racers. But the atmosphere was stirring, locals were excited that racing had come to Hollywood and many amateurs wish the SoCal Cross Prestige Series luck in returning to Griffith Park next year.

As the Elite Men took stage in the late afternoon, fan favorite Ryan Trebon (Rideclean/Kona) won the hole-shot before Adam Craig (Rabobank/Giant) worked his way from fourth to victory. Craig passed Trebon at the top of the course with four laps to go and rode a steady pace escaping Trebon and even increasing his interval with waning each lap. It was Adam Craig’s second win of the weekend.

At the finish line Trebon seemed disappointed but his Shimano M315 mountain bike shoes were much less dusty than Craig’s. Mountain bike champion Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) always rides his Specialized S-Works.

Mavic mountain bike shoes also stood out in the pack decking out the fashionable Rapha Focus team with their bright yellow kicks and lightweight profile. Crowds were drawn to a celebrity appearance by Team RadioShack star Chris Horner. The American surfaced pre-race in a pair of gray Pearl Izumi tennis shoes before donning black Mavic MTB shoes for the race. Wearing black shoes keeps with the RadioShack uniform as team mate Lance Armstrong is notorious for preferring black shoes.

Horner finished respectfully in the top-ten after getting tangled in an early crash despite commenting that his shoes help him “keep the rubber side down.”

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The Sidi Spider SRS is below the familiar top-end Dragon 2 Carbon in the performance pecking order, but it doesn’t skimp on features and it may find an important role in your arsenal every fall when cyclocross season rolls around. That’s because part of the Spider’s design aims to make this shoe a dynamic workhorse off-the-bike.

“We are excited to produce for this year a new choice for the serious Cyclocross Racer or Cross-Country rider. The Spider SRS emphasizes performance, durability and style.” explains Pio, Sidi’s legendary industrial designer.

The front of the Spider is armored with a special rubber toe guard for protection against hits and bumps while the heel cup is more relaxed for running and nailing the dismounts.

The Spider also comes with Sidi’s redesigned Caliper Buckle for dialing in a precise fit and making micro adjustments easier even while riding. Two Velcro straps, both with High Security teeth for snug fits that won’t slip, complete the closure system. Sidi’s Soft Instep Closure System and padded tongue is designed to eliminate pressure points.

The SRS in the Spider’s model name stands for Sole Replacement System. This patented feature can increase shoe life when you want to rebuild the bottom of the shoe’s sole with new cleat tread simply by using a Phillips screwdriver. The Spider accepts standard SPD pedal cleats.

The shoe’s upper is made of Lorica Microfiber, the same supple material found in other Sidi performance shoes. The black Vernice patent leather finish and graphic are distinctively Italian.

Besides the introduction of the new Spider, 2010 also marks Sidi’s 50th anniversary as the Signori family has making cycling shoes in Italy since 1960.

Sizes: 39-48 (half sizes 39.5-46.5)
Colors: Black Vernice
Price: $349.99

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