Michael Gallagher finished 14th in Saturday's "W. E. Stedman Co. Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross" in South Kingstown, Rhode Island and crashed out of today's "Castor's Grand Prix of Cyclo Cross" in Warwick, Rhode Island.

These events were the finals of the "2005 Verge New England Cyclocross Championship Series" and since Gallagher had not competed in any of the other series events this season, he was relegated to start at the back of the field. The very tight but fast course was a major disadvantage for Gallagher as the leaders rode off while he was trying to work his way up through the field. His efforts got him from about 50th place up to 14th yesterday but he was not as fortunate today. "When you start so far behind, you have to take chances to move up," said Gallagher, "Yesterday it was frustrating but paid off - today was not the same. There was so much braking in the turns that it was slowing the race down. I took a chance on an icy turn and went down." He was unable to continue after the crash.

Complete info and results on the 2005 Verge New England Cyclocross Championship Series web site:
http://www.necyclocross.com/index.html

Gallagher is a computer systems administrator stationed with the Army Reserves in Schwetzingen Germany. He is in the U.S. preparing for the U.S. Cyclocross National Championships that will be held December 10th in Providence, Rhode Island.