McConneloug, Timmerman Sweep NBX, Series – UPDATE: Photo Gallery

Mary McConneloug on run-up © Natalia McKittrick | Pedal Power Photography | 2009

The 2009 Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series wrapped up today with outstanding performances from series winners Mary McConneloug (Kenda/Seven/NoTubes) and Dan Timmerman (Richard Sachs/RGM/Radix). Dry skies with bright sunshine, temperatures in the high-30s and a soft breeze in off the bay were ideal conditions for this classic season ending race. In contrast to yesterday’s course, today racers met the beach twice, once at the beginning of a run-up. Also reintroduced from last year was a section of course affectionately known as “the gut” which is a series of 180-degree turns with soft, sandy corners and plenty of roots.

Andrea takes early lead © Natalia McKittrick | Pedal Power Photography | 2009

The Elite women’s race broke up quickly from the gun, with a two person lead group of Andrea Smith (Minuteman Road Club) and Mary McConneloug. Behind them were Laura Van Gilder (C3 Athletes Serving Athletes), Anna Barensfeld (Minuteman Road Club) and Gesa Bruechmann (Stevens Racing). While Smith and McConneloug were matching each other move for move, Van Gilder shed Barensfeld who, in turn, shed Bruechmann. It was not until the final lap that McConneloug was able to make a decisive move on Smith, opening a gap just large enough to cruise through the finish line for her sixth consecutive victory.

With her victory, Mary McConneloug took the overall series victory for the first time since 2004. Smith’s second place gave her a final series placing of third, behind the absent Maureen Bruno Roy (MM Racing). Also absent was Natasha Elliott (Garneau/Club Chaussure/Ogilvy) whose great early season gave her fourth overall. Fifth in the series and eleventh today was Amanda Carey (Kenda/trainwitheric.com).

Myerson first lap run-up lead © Natalia McKittrick | Pedal Power Photography | 2009

The Elite men saw a flurry of power right out of the gate, once again, from Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart). With him in the select group at the front were Dan Timmerman, Josh Dillon (Richard Sachs/RGM/Radix) and Justin Lindine (bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage/IF). These four made it clear from the very beginning that the race was about them and nobody else. Each rider made attack after attack with no gain at all, never getting more than a few bike lengths apart until, as he has done all season long, Timmerman attacked out of a corner and broke it clear. Myerson attempted to make a bridge but, realizing the futility, sat back, hoping to win in the sprint for second. On the final corner before the pavement, Dillon came through on the best line, carrying the most speed and beat Myerson to the line by a bike length with Lindine in fourth.

Lindine leads Timmerman © Natalia McKittrick | Pedal Power Photography | 2009

Despite having it all wrapped up last Sunday, Timmerman’s victory today caps a dominant season where he won six races and was on the podium in three more. Dillon’s second today matches his second in the series. Justin Lindine’s fantastic season netted him third with Luke Keough of Team Champion System fourth and Jerome Townsend (bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage/IF) fifth.

U-23 leader Luke Keough finished sixth in today’s race and took the honors as the U-23 series champion. Second place went to Jerome Townsend, third to Townsend’s teammate Manny Goguen.

The Masters 35+ race was a new kind of tactical match up. The race started according to plan, Johnny Bold and Kevin Hines from Corner Cycle at the front with Roger Aspholm (Westwood Velo) and Mark McCormack (Team Fuji/Clif Bar). In a change from previous races, it seemed like Aspholm was struggling to match the pace set and was hanging on by a string even from the second lap. As the race wore on and the gap began to grow, Bold, the series leader by the narrowest of margins, saw Aspholm’s struggles and dialed his effort back. With Aspholm struggling and Bold racing conservatively, McCormack and Hines were able to duel for the win, with McCormack crossing the line first.

His third place finish today was good enough for Johnny Bold to take home the series title for the sixth consecutive year. Aspholm’s second overall is his career-best. Kevin Hines, ever the faithful teammate, came in third.

The U-19 Juniors race was, for the ninth time this year, utterly dominated by Evan McNeely (EMD Serono/Specialized). Second place went to McNeely’s teammate, Karl Hoppner with Curtis White (Clif Bar Development Cyclocross Team) third.

Jesse Keough (CL Noonan/KAM/Coast to Coast) needed only to finish in the top ten today to bring home the U-19 Series title. He managed seventh. McNeely ended up second overall with Sunapee/S&W/Continental Paving racer Joshua Lehmann third.

Peter Goguen (Minuteman Road Club) took advantage of Austin Vincent (CL Noonan/KAM/Coast to Coast)’s absence by running away with today’s race. Nicholas Catlin of Tokeneke Road Club pulled down another second place. Jonathan Anderson closed out a solid season with a third place.

Goguen’s four-race win streak over the past two weekends clinched him the U-15 Series. Austin Vincent managed to hold on to second despite a sickness that dogged him for the last two weeks of the season. Cooper Willsey (GMBC/Catamount/White’s Bikes) earned third place overall.

Mark Gunsalus (Team Fuji/Clif Bar) rode well enough to take another victory in the 45+ race ahead of Sam Morse (Corner Cycle) and John Funk (bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage/IF). Gunsalus’s victory gave him the series title with Morse, again, in second. Third in the series went to John Mosher of Wheelworks.

William Sawyer (Gearworks/Spinarts) won his eighth series race today in the 55+. Cyclonauts racer George Pawle came through second with Northampton Cycling Club’s David Goodwin beating out Richard Sachs for third. Sawyer’s win was icing on his already clinched series title. Goodwin finished second in the series ahead of Barry Doubleday (MBRC/Bicycle Link)

Post race, Cat3 winner Colin Murphy © Natalia McKittrick | Pedal Power Photography | 2009

Finally, the category 3’s, for a second consecutive day, Colin H. Murphy of Cycle Smart/NCC took the victory. Embrocation Cycling Journal’s Cary Fridrich outsprinted Mike Wissell (Back Bay Bicycles/Espresso Royale Café) for second. Colin Huston (CL Noonan/KAM/Coast to Coast) took the series win with Fridrich in second. Evan Huff (Cycle Smart/NCC) placed third in the series.

The Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series was contested over 7 weekends in 2009, starting with the New England Cross-toberfest of Cycling:  3 straights weekends of UCI calendar racing to be held in Williston VT, Gloucester MA, and Providence RI.  After a weekend of much needed rest, the series continued with stops in New Gloucester ME on Oct 24, Northampton MA on Nov 7, Sterling MA on Nov 28, and the series finale in Warwick RI on Dec 5.  This year’s series has been generously supported by Verge Sport, makers of fine cycling clothing and products since 1993; by Cycle-Smart, purveyors of personalized cycling coaching and solutions for riders across the country; by BikeReg.com, the official online registration service of the NECCS; by Paul Weiss Photo/Video, the official photographer of the NECCS, by October Handmade Bicycles, and by Ryders Eyewear.  You can visit these sponsors and get more information on the series by going to the web at http://www.cycle-smart.com/neccs.

Photo Gallery:

Elite Men Results

Elite Women Results