A Clear day for racers at the ninth Indiana Cup race © Chris Jones
By Robert Annis
Two new riders took the top steps of the Elite Indiana Cup podiums Sunday as more than 100 riders battled on a muddy, yet fast course.
BikeReg.com rider Elizabeth Cobb led after the first lap, but soon faded. Kiersta Tucker (Wood N Wave) and Janelle Renschler (Speedway-Wheelmen) traded the lead multiple times during the remainder of the hard-fought, six-lap race. But after Renschler suffered a mechanical, Tucker was able to create a small gap, which she was able to hold until the end. It was her first victory as an Elite cyclocross racer.
“I wanted to hang with them to see how I felt,” Tucker said. “I had to push myself to stay with them at first, but I did it. This was the best I’ve felt (on the bike) in the past two years.”
Cobb held on to third place.
Tucker dominated the Women's Elite race © Chris Jones
Nuvo rider Eric Anderson took the Elite men’s race Sunday, a week after a nine-second loss to teammate Weston Luzadder at the final Major Taylor Velodrome race. Anderson didn’t look to be in much jeopardy during the race, beating Fredrick Rose (BikeReg.com) by nearly 43 seconds. Andrew Boneff (J’s Bikes) took third place, 1:45 back.
The first place was Anderson’s third of the year – he also took the top step of the podium at Apple Cross and Cincy3 Cyclo-Stampede – but his first at a Planet Adventure cyclocross event this year.
Sunday’s race, the ninth in the 12-race Indiana Cup CX series, was a preview of the Indiana State Championship to be held at the same venue Saturday.
For a full list of results or to learn more about the Indiana Cup series, go to www.indianacxcup.com.
