Sun Shines at Ruts N’ Guts C2 Races with Back-to-Back Wins for Compton and Ortenblad – Updated Photos

Elite Women: Compton Dominates and Doubles

Day 2 of Ruts N’ Guts saw brighter skies and warmer temperatures in Broken Arrow, Okla., but a familiar face on the top step of the podium. The weekend sweep was made by 12-time U.S. National Cyclocross Champion Katie Compton (KFC Racing p/b Trek/Panache).

Katie Compton leads from the start on Day 2 of 2016 Ruts ‘N Guts. © Christina Luera / Cyclocross Magazine

“This course, you think it’s kind of flat, but it’s not the case at all,” said Compton, who continues to lead the USA Cycling Professional Cyclocross (Pro CX) standings for Elite Women. “It’s technical, and twisty. There are enough mountain-bikey sections; I think you can easily get a couple of bike length’s gap. And if you go hard after those sections, it’s easy to stay off the front and keep a gap.”

Katie Antonneau (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) leads Crystal Anthony (Maxxis-Shimano) and Sunny Gilbert (Michelob Ultra/Big Shark) 2016 Ruts ‘N Guts. © Christina Luera / Cyclocross Magazine

The opening lap at Chisholm Trail South Park saw Amanda Miller (Boulder Cycle Sport/YogaGlo) set a blistering pace from the gun, taking the holeshot from Amanda Nauman (SDG – Muscle Monster). Nauman would hit the deck hard in the third corner and never see the front of the race again, dashing her hopes of repeating as champion from last year.

Katie Compton on here way to doubling up at the 2016 Ruts ‘N Guts Day 2. © Christina Luera / Cyclocross Magazine

Miller continued on the front for the first two opening laps, really stretching the field out. It was only Compton who could bridge up and eventually make the pass. Compton would hold the lead for the next four laps to take the win. Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D Foundation) would finish third for the second time this weekend as well as Sunny Gilbert (Van Dessel) taking forth. Katie Antonneau (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) finished fifth.

Elite Women’s podium Day 2 of Ruts ‘N Guts. Katie Compton (first), Amanda Miller (second) and Rebecca Fahringer (third). © Christina Luera / Cyclocross Magazine

“We drive home to Colorado tomorrow, and then I will have almost four weeks at home” Compton said about her plans leading up to the U.S. Cyclocross National Championships in Hartford, Conn. in early January. “It will be nice. We’ll be home for Christmas. I go back East for Nationals and then head over to Europe for a last World Cup and World’s. For me it is a different schedule this year.”

Elite Men: Ortenblad Finishes in a Bunch Sprint and Repeats

A visibly exhausted Tobin Ortenblad (Santa Cruz Factory Racing) crossed the line and literally rode into the sunset as he secured the sweep at Ruts N’ Guts. Like Saturday at Chisholm Trail South Park, it would come down to a bunch sprint of three men on Sunday.

.@RutsNGuts MC2 @McTubbbin repeats! @travislivermon then @kerryw24 #ProCX pic.twitter.com/lIr59Cbwcs

— USACProCX (@USACProCX) December 4, 2016

The selection was made much earlier on the now-reversed course with a group of five grabbing the early lead. Danny Summerhill (Maxxis-Shimano) and Kerry Werner (Kona Factory CX Team) went shoulder to shoulder through the holeshot. Summerhill would lift the pace early to create the gaps, but leading into the third lap he was walking up the finishing chute carrying his broken machine.

Close-up of the Elite Men’s start on Day 2 of the 2016 Ruts ‘N Guts event. © Christina Luera / Cyclocross Magazine

Werner, Travis Liverman (Maxxis-Shimano), Ortenblad and Todd Wells (SRAM/TLD), the surprise strongman of the day, would stay away for most of the race until one lap to go. That was when James Driscoll (Raleigh Clement) finally tracked the leaders down, but it was clear he had spent everything to make that bridge. Wells began to drift off the back with Driscoll, leaving the final turn to Ortenblad, Werner and Liverman.

Elite Men on the flyover – Day 2 of the 2016 Ruts ‘N Guts. © Christina Luera / Cyclocross Magazine

Ortenblad had the better line and legs to take the win. Just behind was Liveman in second, who passed Werner in the final sprint to the line. Wells just missed the podium in fourth place, with Driscoll on his wheel for a very strong fifth.

Troy Wells (Team Clif Bar) leads Yannick Eckmann (Boulder CycleSport/YogaGlo) – Day 2 of the 2016 Ruts ‘N Guts. © Christina Luera / Cyclocross Magazine

“I could see Driscoll chasing,” Ortenblad said about the four-man battle in the Sunday C2 contest and Driscoll making a charge. “I knew if Driscoll caught on it would be even harder to win. So I just tried to stay toward the front. But, I really didn’t have the legs to push the pace today. So I was lucky to hold on today and be able to outmaneuver guys in the end.”

Elite Men’s podium Day 2 of Ruts ‘N Guts. Tobin Ortenblad (first), Travis Livermon (second) and Kerry Werner (third). © Christina Luera / Cyclocross Magazine

This was Ortenblad’s fourth win of the Pro CX year in C2 events. He also had a double-win at CXLA at S. El Monte, Calif. Ruts N’ Guts marks the eighth and final weekend of racing with a combination of C1/C2 events. The Pro CX season concludes next weekend with C2 races at North Carolina Grand Prix in Hendersonville, N.C. and Resolution Cross Cup in Garland, Texas.

2016 Ruts N Guts Day 2 Results - Elite Women

2016 Ruts N Guts Day 2 Results - Elite Men