On Day 2 of the Cincinnati International Cyclocross Festival, Katie Compton (Spike Shooter / Primus Mootry) and Jeremy Powers (Cannondale / Cyclocrossworld.com / Leer) each took another commanding UCI C2 win as they prepare for their European campaigns later this year. The Java Johnny’s – Lionhearts International Cyclocross was the second day of the three-day festival, and was once again held in unseasonably warm weather. Full report below.
by Marc Vettori
Hot weather in Middleton Ohio was matched only by the hot racing action at the Java Johnny’s / Lionhearts International UCI C2 race today. The course was fast and undulating, and many seasoned riders commented that the course was fast and fun, and lent itself to pack riding.
The women’s race saw Katie Compton flex her muscle and ride away from the bulk of the country’s top crossers. Soloing from the early laps, she powered away from the field that included Rachel Lloyd, who finished in second, and Sue Butler who finished third. Georgia Gould finished 6th after putting in a huge effort overcoming a flat, and was assisted in the pits by none other than Mark Legg-Compton, Katie’s husband, and Kris Auer, mechanic for 4th place finishing Laura Van Gilder of C3-Sollay.com. Sportsmanship reigns supreme in cross.
The men’s race saw a flurry of attacks. Barry Wicks, Jeremy Powers and Jeremiah Bishop each took flyers at the front, none of which were successful until two laps to go when Powers was able to accelerate away from his rivals and take the win. Both Bishop and Powers used their crowd-pleasing bunny hopping skills to separate themselves from the pack. Bishop, the current US MTB short track champion finished second while Wicks, rounded out the podium. It was an identical podium to the previous day’s Darkhorse Cyclo-Stampede.
Next up is the Cincinnati International Cyclocross Festival’s Grand Finale: the Bio-Wheels / United Dairy Farmers Harbin Park International, a C1 event for both men and women. As a C1 event paying top finishing women equal to men according to the Gould Formula, the race in Fairfield Ohio’s Harbin Park will be one of the world’s richest women’s cyclocross races n 2008.
Elite Men:
1. Jeremy Powers – Cannondale / Cyclocrossworld.com
2. Jeremiah Bishop – Trek/VW
3. Bary Wicks – Kona
Elite Women:
1. Katie Compton – Spike Professional/Primus Mootry
2. Rachel Lloyd – California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized
3. Sue Butler – MonavieCannondale.com
Photos by Jeffrey Jakucyk
