Werner, Flynn Take Muddy Wins at Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder in New York – Results

New York’s three-race Mudslinger Gravel Series showed a knack for attracting top talent and questionable weather conditions this season. 2018 marked the third season of the Mudslinger series, but it was the first to feature a 55-mile Elite race at each event.

Kevan Edwards, Matt Smitley and Jake Castor in the chase group. 2018 Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder. photo: Tony Sylor

The addition of the Elite race paid off in 2018, especially in attracting top Northeast talent. At last month’s Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder, Jeremy Powers, Anthony Clark (🦑) and Matt Timmerman squared off, only to be defeated by local young gun Magnus Sheffield. Rachel Andrews won the Women’s race that foggy afternoon.

Anthony Clark competed in two of the three races of the series logging a 3rd place at Ossian and a 5th place at Finger Lakes. 2018 Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder. photo: Tony Sylor

“I could never have imagined we would see talent like we did this year,” said Sylor of establishing a longer Elite Race. “From Powers to Werner to Clark to Timmerman to Jones to Magnus and list goes on. It was humbling to see these guys investing in the sport this way and an amazing experience for our regional cycling community.”

Dan Timmerman has been in the Mudslinger Gravel Series since the first year in 2016 and won the series in 2017. 2018 Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder. photo: Tony Sylor

This past weekend was the third and final race of the Mudslinger series at the Finger Lakes Gravel Challenge. The race was also the New York State Bicycle Racing (NYSBRA) Gravel State Championship. The event brought Kerry Werner (Kona Factory CX Team) and Emily Shields (Ken’s Bike Shop) north from North Carolina to join cyclocross pros and local heroes for one more afternoon of gravel racing.

Saturday’s race was another wet and muddy affair. Werner has made it no secret he loves gnarly conditions, so he was well-suited for the Finger Lakes race. Werner took first ahead of local star Sjaan Gerth (Mariposa Cycle Racing Team) and Dan Timmerman (Park Ave Bike Shop p/b Borah Teamwear).

Kerry Werner made his Mudslinger debut and took the win at Finger Lakes. 2018 Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder. photo: Tony Sylor

The Women’s race went to Emily Flynn (Nicollet Bike Team). Second and third went to Ruth Sherman (GGWDW) and Rachel Andrews (Once Again Racing Fueled By Once Again Nut Butter). The podium was the opposite order from the series-opening Ossian Giant event.

Ruth Sherman, Rachel Andrews and Emily Flynn battled for three weeks of the series with Rachel winning the first two and the Mudslinger Series and Emily picking up the third and the NYS Gravel Racing Championship for 2018. 2018 Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder. photo: Tony Sylor

The three-race series also gave out overall trophies. Points were awarded for each race and KOMs within the races. Despite her third this weekend, Andrews took the Women’s series overall. Mike “So Pro” Jones (Nalgene) won the Men’s overall.

Rachel Andrews of Once Again Racing won the Elite Series with wins in race 1 and 2 and a 3rd place finish in race 3. 2018 Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder. photo: Tony Sylor

Results from Saturday’s Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder are below.

Women's Results: 2018 Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder

Men's Results: 2018 Finger Lakes Gravel Grinder