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Powers and Vervecken did battle until only one remained. © Amy Dykema

Powers and Vervecken did battle until only one remained. © Amy Dykema

September 26th, 2009 – (Sun Prairie, WI)  The USGP of Cyclocross raced in Sun Prairie, WI today under beautiful sunny skies and warm weather.  The racing for the inaugural USGP Planet Bike Cup was fast and aggressive from the gun. 

After suffering from a crash in Wednesday’s Cross Vegas, all eyes were on Luna’s Katerina Nash to see if she could hold on to the frantic pace of Katie Compton (Planet Bike). The Planet Bike Cup set the stage for another battle between the heads of the American cyclocross state. For a few laps, it looked like Nash would prove again to be a close equal to Compton, but Compton clearly had other plans.

On a course where power and technical skills were of equal merrit, Compton and Nash seemed to be about equal in terms of straight line speed, but Compton’s unparalleled technical skills proved to be a difference maker. Nash did her best to hang on to Compton’s wheel as long as she could, but Compton persistantly openened up gaps through the course’s technical sections. Inches turned into feet, and before too long, Compton had shed Nash as she powered away to extend her gap. Compton cruised across the line, putting 38 seconds between herself and Nash,who took home the silver medal.

Behind Compton and Nash, Georgia Gould (Luna) was on her own desperately chasing the leading duo. Gould would continue to lose time as the meters ticked away. Behind her, a group of four formed that included Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain-Maxxis), Amy Dombroski (Richard Sachs-RGM Watches-Radix), Sue Butler (Monavie-Cannondale.com) and Deidre Winfield (C3 Athletes Serving Athletes). Sydor had started her race quickly, coming through the first few turns of the race on the wheels of Nash and Compton. Possibly starting too quickly, Sydor faded back a bit but clawed her way back into the group riding for fourth place. The group stayed together for much of the race, before it was Dombroski who put in a string of attacks on the final lap of the race to distance her chase group, a gap she would hold to the finish.

Sydor continued to ride well, often chosing to ride up the vicious run up that was the most feared feature on the course, and was also able to gap her chase group to finish fifth. Sue Butler out sprinted Winfield to take home sixth. Alison Dunlap (Luna) had suffered from the early pace and dropped off the main chase groups, but continued to fight through in eighth, despite concerted chases from the likes of Devon Haskell (Velo Bella). Dunlap held off the chase to finish in eighth. Haskell finished up ninth, holding off Planet Bike’s Krisin Wentworth.

Katie Compton took home the first USGP leader’s jersey of the year, but she will not likely hold it much longer than this weekend, as her European campaign will take her out of the running for the overall title. This puts Nash in the early hot seat for a repeat USGP series title. Alison Sydor was awarded the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider Award, most likely for her decision to ride up the course’s run up.

The Elite men’s race was packed with high drama, as the attacks and chases came fast and furious. Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld) took the race’s first initiative by taking the second wheel in the holeshot and continuing his assault through the first lap, extending his lead first from bike lengths and then to seconds. Behind him, Jonathan Page (Planet Bike), Erwin Vervecken (Revor-Baboco) and Ryan Trebon (Kona) did the lion’s share of the chasing, hoping to bring back the flying Powers.

Chris Jones and Geoff Kabush battled all day, with Kabush taking home fifth. © Amy Dykema

Chris Jones and Geoff Kabush battled all day, with Kabush taking home fifth. © Amy Dykema

Behind the chasing group, Chris Jones (Champion System), who had moved up from a slow start, and Geoff Kabush (Rocky Mountain – Maxxis), who had been earlier dropped from the chasing group, were chasing in fifth and sixth place. Further Back, Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld) and Jesse Anthony (Jamis Bicycles) were holding on to seventh and eighth. Andy Jacques-Maynes (Bissel Pro Cycling), who had faded since taking the holeshot, was riding in ninth, just ahead of Tim Van Nuffel (Rendementhypo) who was trying to save face for his team, after teammate Christian Heule was victim of a mechanical and dropped down to second to last.  Heule consistently picked up rider after rider, but decided to abandon and save himself for Sunday.

At the front, Page and Vervecken were successful in chasing down Powers, if only for a short time. After making contact, Page and Powers took turns trying to rid themselves of the former World Champion, Vervecken. Page and Powers’ efforts led to small gaps forming between them and Vervecken. Disaster struck for Page when he rolled a tire far away from the nearest pit. Page managed to replace his tire, and rode his way gingerly back to the pits to grab a new bike. Page had been passed by Trebon, but page was determined to get back to the front.

The Mens Podium, with Page (3rd), Powers (1st) and Vervecken (3rd). © Amy Dykema

The Mens Podium, with Page (3rd), Powers (1st) and Vervecken (3rd). © Amy Dykema

Powers had a bit of a gap over Vervecken, now that Page was nowhere to be found, and he used that to fuel his fire for victory. Not to be out done, Vervecken doggedly chased his way back on to the wheel of Powers. Powers seemed to sit up a bit when he saw how close Vervecken was, and this small tactical move spelled the difference in the race. Powers again attacked Vervecken, and this time, the Belgian, who will retire at the end of this year, could not respond. Powers extended his lead with every pedal stroke, and held a comfortable margin when he crossed the finish line for victory. Vervecken just held off a charging Page who made his way past Trebon to grab third place. Trebon was fourth, followed by Kabush, who dropped Jones late in the last lap to take fifth. Seventh place went to Driscoll who used the last lap to shed Anthony, who finished eighth. Jacques-Maynes held on to ninth place, as the top ten was rounded out by Van Nuffel.

Powers moved himself into the USGP series lead, which he seems to have a good chance at defending, if his form from Saturday was any indication. Chance Noble (Cal Gian Berry Farms/Specialized) was the best placed Espoir rider in the race, and took over the U23 leaders jersey. After his rolled tire and brave chase back, Page was awarded the SRAM Most Aggressive Rider award.

Video of Page rolling tire on the staired run-up:

Photo gallery:

Elite Men:
place bib name team country UCI pt
1 6 POWERS Jeremy Cannondale / USA 50
2 1 VERVECKEN Erwin Team Revor-Baboco- BEL 40
3 5 PAGE Jonathan Planet Bike USA 34
4 3 TREBON Ryan KONA USA 30
5 11 KABUSH Geoff Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain CAN 26
6 17 JONES Christopher Team Champion System USA 23
7 7 DRISCOLL Jamey Cannondale / USA 20
8 10 ANTHONY Jesse Team Jamis Bikes USA 17
9 9 JACQUES-Andy Bissell Pro Cycling USA 14
10 20 VAN NUFFEL Tim Rendement-Hypo Cycling BEL 12
11 16 LALONDE Mark Planet Bike USA 10
12 28 KNAPP Ryan BikeReg.Com USA 9
13 15 MATTER Brian Team Geargrinder USA 8
14 8 WELLS Troy Team Clif Bar USA 7
15 46 SCHOUTEN Tristan Planet Bike USA 6
16 13 WICKS Barry Kona USA 5
17 23 NOBLE Chance California Giant-Specialized USA 4
18 26 SHERER Mike Alderfer Bergen USA 3
19 21 CAMERON Molly Portland Bicycle Studio USA 2
20 53 SCHMALZ Joseph KCCX/Verge USA 1
21 25 ROBINSON Justin California Giant Berry USA
22 62 LALONDE James Planet Bike USA
23 45 WOODRUFF Travis Pioneer Racing USA
24 48 BLACK Will Moots USA
25 40 MCLAUGHLIN Scott SRAM Factory USA
26 55 HACKWORTHY Dave Bianchi/Grand Performance USA
27 41 KERSTING Mitchell Rapid Transit Racing USA
28 32 SKERRITT Shannon Vanilla Bicycles USA
29 29 HULICK Kevin The Vanilla Workshop – USA
30 19 MCGRATH Adam Thule/Van Dessel USA
31 42 ROESSINGH Jordan ISCorp Cycling Team/Nova USA
32 12 WEIGHALL Nicholas Rad Racing NW USA
33 61 LEMIEUX Pat Texas Roadhouse Cycling USA
34 30 SIEGLE Jason Bear Valley Bikes USA
35 18 SELANDER Bjorn Ridley Factory Team USA
36 22 FRY Kyle MCOR CAN
37 31 RIENTS Jesse Nature Valley/Penn Cycle USA
38 59 FAWLEY Bryan Park Place Dealerships USA
39 36 KLUG Kevin Courage Cycles Inc USA
40 37 KENNEDY Michael Barbasol/ Rapid Transit USA
41 56 KENDALL Robert Barbasol USA
42 49 REARDON Andrew Starbrite Carwash / MOAB USA
43 33 HANSON Lyle Great Dane Velo Club USA
44 60 LENZI Luca The Pony Shop USA
45 51 HINKENS Jack Ridley team USA
46 35 ALLEN Matthew behind bars/ lgr USA
47 44 LOWETZ Jason Team Bearclaw USA
48 34 HAUGH Spencer Behind Bars/LGR USA
49 52 VONBOKEL Logan Mesa Cycles Racing Team USA
50 43 STREET William Sisu Custom Cycles USA
51 58 HOLMES James Unattached USA
DNF 2 HEULE Christian Rendementhypo Cycling SUI
DNS 4 JOHNSON Timothy Cannondale / USA
DNS 14 KEOUGH Nicholas Team Champion System USA
DNS 24 KAPPIUS Braden Clif Bar USA
DNS 27 LALONDE Jesse Planet Bike USA
DNF 38 POPPER Ben HRS / Rock Lobster USA
DNF 39 EDWARDS Zachary DRT Racing USA
DNS 47 NEFF Isaac Alderfer Bergen USA
DNF 50 BERGMAN Adam Texas Roadhouse Cycling USA
DNS 54 SACHS David Vision Quest USA
DNF 57 BLACKWELDER Mark Gentle Lovers USA
Elite Women:
place bib name team country UCI pt
1 1 COMPTON Katherine Spike Shooter USA 50
2 4 NASH Katerina Luna Pro Team CZE 40
3 2 GOULD Georgia LUNA Pro Team USA 34
4 6 DOMBROSKI Amy Richard Sachs-RGM USA 30
5 21 SYDOR Alison Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain CAN 26
6 3 BUTLER Susan Monavie-Cannondale.com USA 23
7 5 WINFIELD Deidre C3 – Athletes Serving Athletes USA 20
8 22 DUNLAP Alison LUNA Pro Team USA 17
9 7 HASKELL Devon BH USA USA 14
10 9 WENTWORTH Kristin Planet Bike USA 12
11 14 STUDLEY Kari Velo Bella USA 10
12 15 SONE Linda Planet Bike USA 9
13 16 ANTONNEAU Kaitlin Planet Bike USA 8
14 17 FLYNN Kimberly Vantaggio/Specialized USA 7
15 10 DALLAIRE AnnaJean Cannondale Factory Racing USA 6
16 28 BOREM Nicole DRT Consulting USA 5
17 23 WILLIAMS Robin Mercy-Specialized USA 4
18 12 SCHWARTZ Anne Flying Rhino Cycling Club USA 3
19 20 KLUG Holly Courage USA 2
20 8 KERLIN Sarah Velo Bella USA 1
21 29 PLAYMAN Erin gentle lovers USA
22 13 SMILEY Marne Scott USA
23 30 JAMES Ashley Team Kenda USA
24 19 COOGAN Corey Ridley Factory Team USA
25 25 CLEVELAND Rebecca The Bike Hub USA
26 26 STEUDEL Kathryn Team Pegasus USA
27 31 MEEK Therese Bikeclicks.com/Team USA
28 24 KAUFMANN Patricia USA
29 32 LUKAS Sarah USA
30 18 KROLL Whitney USA
DNS 11 EMMETT Kelli USA
DNS 27 UPSHAW June USA

U23 Men – Top Ten
1. Chance Noble – California Giant /Specialized
2. Joseph Schmalz – KCCX / VERGE
3. David Hackworthy – Bianchi / Grand Performance
4. Adam McGrath – THULE/Van Dessel
5. Kyle Fry – MCOR
6. Luca Lenzi – The Pony Shop
7. Jack Hinkins – Ridley Team
8. Logan Van Bokel – Mesa Cycles Racing Team

USGP Juniors 17/18
1. Cody Kaiser – California Giant /Specialized
2. Yannick Eckmann – SV Kirchzarten
3. Robin Eckmann – SW Kirchzarten
4. Thomson Remo – Baraboo Sharks
5. William Bain – BikeClicks/Team Louisville

Masters 35+
1. Ali Goulet – Church of the Big Ring
2. Michael Wissink – Specialized
3. Jeff Weinert – Wolverine Sports Club
4. Richard Feldman – Durance-Colnago
5. Brian Conant – The Pony Shop
6. Jerry Long – emdsports.com/fitness
7. Raif Warmuth – Westwood Velo
8. Andrew Messer – DRT Racing
9. Jonathan Card – Saturn of Toledo
10. Tim Butler – River City Bicycles

Masters 45+
1. Michael McShane – Calistoga
2. Christian Zauner – Verdigris
3. Wayne Simon – Verdigris
4. Troy Krause – Lincoln Industries-Highgear
5. Bob Bergman
6. Jeff Appletans – Mambo Kings Racing
7. Gregory Ferguson – MadCity Velo Club
8. Paul McKinney – Curt Goodrich Racing Team
9. Scott Arrigoni – Verdigris
10. Mark Wolowiec – Flying Rhino Cycling Club