The Verge Mid-Atlantic Championship Cyclo-Cross Series ended with a double race weekend that saw riders contending with 10 inches of snow on two totally different types of courses. With several series titles coming down to the wire, it became apparent that the best bike handlers were going to have the edge heading into the weekend. The combination of snow, mud and unseasonably cold weather changed two notoriously fast courses, Phelps School 'Cross and First State Velo Sport 'Cross, into treacherous, ice skating rinks. Conditions changed from hard-packed snow and ice to mud as each day went on so riders were never quite sure what to expect when they took the start line.

Jeremiah Bishop (Trek-VW) came into the weekend in third place behind Ryan Leech (Guys Bicycles) and Gunnar Shogren (Guinness-Fort Frames) but clinched the elite men's series title with back-to-back wins. Bishop's mountain-bike-honed technical skills enabled him to carry speed through sections that tripped up other riders. Leech held on for a second-place finish in the series, staying ahead of his season-long nemesis, Shogren who finished in third place. Sean Groom (Snow Valley) racked up two second-place finishes over the weekend and solidified his fourth place ranking in the series. Marc Gullickson's (Mongoose-Hyundai) early-season points were enough to earn him fifth place.

In the elite women's field, last year's champion Josie Shew (First State Velo Sport) once again proved that consistent riding week after week pays off. Shew' s second and fourth place finishes were enough to keep her in the top spot. Kristine Oesterling (Trek) took the win on Saturday at the Phelps School 'Cross and finished second to teammate Erin North (Trek) on Sunday at First State Velo Cross. Oesterling missed four races in the 2002 series but earned enough points to take second place in the series. Amber Itle (Wissahickon), hindered by crashes and mechanicals, had a tough weekend but still managed to grab third place. North took fourth overall. Finishing fifth was Sami Fournier (Snow Valley) who fell victim to the snow and mud Sunday, unable to finish because of a mechanical.

With Verge Series leader, Eric Schlauch (Somerset Wheelmen) out of town for the weekend, everyone knew the masters 35+ title was up for grabs. Chris Long (IF-Toga) and Mike Hebe (PA Pension Planners) were the pre-race favorites but both were surprised on Saturday when Martin Jones (Somerset Wheelmen) put in his best ride of the season to score a win at Phelps School. Long bested Hebe on Sunday, took the win and clinched the series title. Hebe finished second both days and finished second in the series. Schlauch dropped to third. Richard Mihills (First State Velo Sport) scored a fourth place series finish and Randy Root (Snow Valley) took fifth place.

Fred Wittwer who put in solid rides week after week, won the masters 45+ title. Kevin Breckenmaker (Team Harrisburg) took second and Leo Pizzini (First State Velo Sport) took third.

Adam Beattie (First State Velo Sport) won the juniors title narrowing beating out Joey Thompson (Devo). Chris Consorto (First State Velo Sport finished third.

The men's B title was not decided until the last race as two riders came into it tied for first. When the dust (more like mud) cleared on Sunday, Kelly Cline had claimed the title. David Yu Greenblatt (Highland Park) was second and Nathan Diebert (PA Pension Planners) took third.

Megan Render (Snow Valley) won the women's B title by benefit of her early-season finishes. Render recently upgraded to Elite but her lead in the B field was enough for her to claim the 2002 title. Elzabeth Mauldin (Wissahickon) rode into a second place finish and Erica Miller (Wissahickon) finished third.

The team title won by First State Velo Sport. Snow Valley and Wissahickon finished second and third respectively.