GLOUCESTER, Mass.—Light rain and cool temperatures in the 40s provided New England-style weather for the first New England cyclocross race of USA Cycling Pro Cyclocross Calendar (ProCX).
The 20th edition of the CRAFT Sportswear Gran Prix of Gloucester took place Saturday at Stage Fort Park, and kicked off the 2018 Vittoria Northeast Cyclocross Series presented by Clif Bar and Cycle-Smart.
A day of unpredictable course conditions made for a wet and greasy course for the Elite Women, then became dry and fast for the Elite Men. Past winners took advantage of the conditions to climb back up to the top step of the Gloucester podium.
Ellen Noble dominates 2018 Gran Prix of Gloucester Day 1. © Peter Pellizzi
Maine’s Ellen Noble (Trek Factory Racing) took a commanding win for the Elite Women, riding away solo for her seventh podium finish this ProCX season. Curtis White (Delanson, N.Y./Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) took the win in the Elite Men, his first ProCX victory of the year.
Noble was victorious in dominant fashion, leading the race from start to finish. She finished the five-lap event in 46 minutes, 28 seconds.
“Starting the race, it was still really slick,” noted Noble. “It got super tacky by the end, but at the beginning it was really slippery. I wanted to be able to have my choice of lines and be able to dictate the pace, so I started hard. I was able to get a small lead and it felt good to just know that I had some wiggle room. I just wanted to leave it all out there.”
Erica Zaveta (Brevard, N.C./Garneau-Easton p/b TLC), who was last on the ProCX podium as the winner both days at Nittany Lion Cross, raced to second place, 1 minute and 28 seconds behind Noble. She had to whittle down a small group of riders later in the race.
L to R: Zaveta, Noble and Anthony. 2018 Gran Prix of Gloucester Day 1. © Peter Pellizzi
“I feel like sometimes before the start it’s so nervous, that you have to get into the race before you can actually relax. So about two laps, I calmed down and then I just attacked the group and just rode good lines,” said Zaveta. “The key to this was not going too fast on just the fitness parts, so you are focused and smooth through all the technical parts. That’s what helped.”
A local favorite from Beverly, Mass., Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling), fought hard in the 29-rider field to place third, 27 seconds behind Zaveta.
“I had a good start off the line, and then sort of got swarmed on the hill. My legs were not great today,” said Anthony. “Ellen had a really good jump on all of us. I was able to get a gap in the last lap, had enough of a gap to pull it off.”
With the course drying out for the men’s race, the fast conditions were prime for group racing dynamics.
White put the pressure on late in the race, taking Jack Kisseberth (Westhampton, Mass./Garneau Easton p/b Transitions) with him to the lead. But a late-race effort from Cooper Willsey (Hinesburg, Vt./Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) and Jamey Driscoll (Park City, Utah/Pivot-Maxxis p/b Stans-DNA Cycling) made the final half of a lap a four-up sprint to the line.
“I wanted to make sure the position was good, to watch the other guys, see where they were strong, where they were weak,” said White about the early laps of the race. “With three to go, I hit it over the climb and the pavement. Jack (Kisseberth) was the only one who could stay with me. Then for the last lap, lap and a half, it was pretty tactical.”
White would claim the win in 57 minutes, 45 seconds.
Curtis White wins 2018 Gran Prix of Gloucester Day 1. © Peter Pellizzi
Kisseberth would follow three seconds back for second place. The ride of the day came from Driscoll, who worked his way through most of the 52-rider field to the front of the race. He would need afterburners to edge Willsey at the line for third.
“It was one of the worst first minutes of a race I can remember,” said Driscoll with a laugh. “Off the line, feeling a little out-gunned on the pavement. It was a hot mess for me out there. And then when I finally settled in through the zig-zags up here, it was single file and I was close to 30th. It was full gas, as hard as I could and trying to (chase) those guys.
Curtis White wins 2018 Gran Prix of Gloucester Day 1. © Peter Pellizzi
“I was essentially at the mercy of them resting up, because it ended up being a fast day in terms of conditions for us. When I caught those guys, I knew that first and second (riders) were up the road, and so the best thing for me to do was rest up there and try to wait for the last podium spot, which I, fortunately, did get.”
L to R: Kisseberth, White, and Driscoll. 2018 Gran Prix of Gloucester Day 1. © Peter Pellizzi
UCI Elite Class 2 races will be held again on Sunday for the professional women and men. These races will also provide points for ProCX national standings. Heading into tomorrow, Noble and White will wear the coveted Verge leader’s jerseys for the Vittoria Series.
ProCX races will also continue in Boulder, Colo. on Sunday. Two days of C2 races are part of the weekend schedule for the Alfalfa’s Eldora US Open of Cyclocross at Valmont Bike Park.
2018 GP of Gloucester Day 1 Results - Elite Women - UCI C2
| Rank | Bib | Name | Affiliation | Time | Split Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Ellen NOBLE | Trek Factory Racing | 46:28:00 | 9:19 |
| 2 | 7 | Erica ZAVETA | Garneau-Easton p/b TLC | 47:56:00 | 9:33 |
| 3 | 2 | Crystal ANTHONY | Liv Cycling | 48:23:00 | 9:38 |
| 4 | 3 | Cassandra MAXIMENKO | Van Dessel Factory Team | 48:35:00 | 9:49 |
| 5 | 5 | Regina LEGGE | Trek Cyclocross Collective | 49:15:00 | 9:46 |
| 6 | 4 | Natasha ELLIOTT | Van Dessel p/b Hyperthreads | 49:16:00 | 9:50 |
| 7 | 8 | Natalie TAPIAS | JAM / NCC | 49:56:00 | 9:57 |
| 8 | 13 | Taylor KUYK-WHITE | Philly Bike Expo | 50:10:00 | 9:55 |
| 9 | 10 | Katherine NORTHCOTT | 50:16:00 | 9:59 | |
| 10 | 9 | Brittlee BOWMAN | RSCX - House Ind - DWR - HM | 50:21:00 | 9:54 |
| 11 | 11 | Kelly CATALE | State 9 Racing p/b Vittoria | 50:25:00 | 10:03 |
| 12 | 15 | Elizabeth SHELDON | CXHAIRS DEVO : TREK BIKES | 50:29:00 | 9:55 |
| 13 | 24 | Jane ROSSI | Rhode Island School of Design | 51:10:00 | 10:24 |
| 14 | 18 | Meghan OWENS | Hands-On Cycling p/b Guerciotti | 51:49:00 | 10:35 |
| 15 | 6 | Erin FACCONE | Velocio NECX | 52:13:00 | 10:27 |
| 16 | 16 | Leslie LUPIEN | Velocio NECX | 52:20:00 | 10:14 |
| 17 | 12 | Jauron VETTER | Mad Alchemy | Zanconato | 52:25:00 | 10:23 |
| 18 | 14 | Christin REUTER | Mad Alchemy | Zanconato | 53:06:00 | 10:42 |
| 19 | 22 | Heather RICHARD | Ladies First Cycling | 53:25:00 | 10:31 |
| 20 | 20 | Jenny WOJEWODA | pedalpowertraining.com | 53:52:00 | 10:45 |
| 21 | 23 | Clio DINAN | 54:31:00 | 10:57 | |
| 22 | 29 | Kayla BRANNEN | Cowbell Racing p/b World Bicycl | 54:40:00 | 10:53 |
| 23 | 21 | Alix NORRIS | Cowbell Racing p/b World Bicycl | 54:48:00 | 10:56 |
| 24 | 28 | Alex CARLSON | B2C2 | 55:16:00 | 10:58 |
| 25 | 19 | Lily PECK | Aether Racing | 33:33:00 | 10:53 |
| 26 | 17 | Valerie HOPKINS | Riverside Racing | 33:45:00 | 10:59 |
| 27 | 30 | Anna SAVAGE | JAM Fund / NCC | 33:50:00 | 11:14 |
| 28 | 27 | Emily MOLDEN | Nantucket Velo | 34:40:00 | 11:15 |
| 29 | 26 | Paige WILLIAMS | BCA/Linen | 34:44:00 | 11:23 |
2018 GP of Gloucester Day 1 Results - Elite Men - UCI C2
| Rank | Bib | Name | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Curtis WHITE | Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld. | 57:45:00 | 7 |
| 2 | 4 | Jack KISSEBERTH | Garneau Easton p/b Transitions | 57:48:00 | 7 |
| 3 | 6 | James DRISCOLL | Pivot-Maxxis p/b Stans-DNA Cycl | 57:49:00 | 7 |
| 4 | 7 | Cooper WILLSEY | Cannodale pb CYCLOCROSSWORLD.CO | 57:50:00 | 7 |
| 5 | 5 | Spencer PETROV | Cannondale Pb cyclocrossworld.c | 57:58:00 | 7 |
| 6 | 18 | Lane MAHER | Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld | 57:59:00 | 7 |
| 7 | 1 | Tobin ORTENBLAD | Santa Cruz / Donkey Label Racin | 58:16:00 | 7 |
| 8 | 13 | Anthony CLARK | Squid Squad | 58:22:00 | 7 |
| 9 | 20 | Sam NOEL | Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld | 59:47:00 | 7 |
| 10 | 19 | Benjamin GOMEZ VILLAFANE | Garneau - Easton p/b Transition | 1:00:19 | 7 |
| 11 | 10 | Michael OWENS | RSCX - House Ind - DWR - HM | 1:00:30 | 7 |
| 12 | 21 | Nicholas LANDO | UVM Cycling | 1:00:33 | 7 |
| 13 | 9 | Merwin DAVIS | Komodo Collective p/b Cycle-Sma | 1:01:06 | 7 |
| 14 | 24 | Ben FREDERICK | 1:01:10 | 7 | |
| 15 | 59 | Marc-Andre DAIGLE | 1:01:12 | 7 | |
| 16 | 26 | Andrew BORDEN | Your Name Here | 1:01:14 | 7 |
| 17 | 14 | Patrick COLLINS | kb PHOTO cx / A-D Bikes | 1:01:39 | 7 |
| 18 | 8 | Derrick ST JOHN | Van Dessel p/b Hyperthreads | 1:01:52 | 7 |
| 19 | 12 | Kevin BOUCHARD-HALL | Velocio Northeast | 1:01:56 | 7 |
| 20 | 17 | Ian GIELAR | JAM / NCC | 1:02:02 | 7 |
| 21 | 23 | Michael LANDRY | Voler/Easton/HRS/Rock Lobster | 1:02:04 | 7 |
| 22 | 36 | Bryan HORSLEY | Sea Sports Cyclery & Outdoor | 1:02:05 | 7 |
| 23 | 37 | Travis WOLD | Spin Arts Cycling | 1:02:13 | 7 |
| 24 | 31 | Zachary CURTIS | BMB Racing | 1:02:52 | 7 |
| 25 | 11 | Adam MYERSON | Cycle-Smart | 1:02:59 | 7 |
| 26 | 32 | Benjamin RYAN | New England Devo p/b Cadence We | 1:03:02 | 7 |
| 27 | 38 | Gregg GRIFFO | Park Ave Bike p/b Borah Teamwea | 1:03:04 | 7 |
| 28 | 43 | Gennaro AMENO | GREEN LINE VELO driven by Zipca | 1:03:12 | 7 |
| 29 | 30 | Kale WENCZEL | JAM / NCC | 1:03:18 | 7 |
| 30 | 15 | Mathieu BELANGER BARRETTE | Pivot Cycles Ote Canada | 1:03:21 | 7 |
| 31 | 2 | Jeremy POWERS | Pactimo / Fuji / SRAM | 1:03:48 | 7 |
| 32 | 46 | David MALTAIS | Team Gris | 1:04:04 | 7 |
| 33 | 42 | Jacob LEBLANC | Comp Edge Racing | 1:04:13 | 7 |
| 34 | 35 | Christian SUNDQUIST | Twin Six Metal | 1:04:16 | 7 |
| 35 | 34 | Niles GAGNON | Grey Ghost Bicycles | 1:04:23 | 7 |
| 36 | 48 | Andrew LOAIZA | Cyclepath PDX | 1:04:31 | 7 |
| 37 | 27 | Christopher NIESEN | JAM / NCC | 1:04:34 | 7 |
| 38 | 52 | Daniel FITZGIBBONS | GREEN LINE VELO driven by Zipca | 1:04:49 | 7 |
| 39 | 44 | Matthew OWENS | UVM Cycling | 1:04:53 | 7 |
| 40 | 49 | Camden BROOKS | Hands-On Cycling p/b Guerciotti | 1:05:16 | 7 |
| 41 | 16 | Andy SCOTT | Riverside Racing | 1:05:30 | 7 |
| @2Lap | 45 | Sean CURRAN | Bicycle Express Racing | 5 | |
| @2Lap | 40 | Finnegan OCONNOR | UVM Cycling | 5 | |
| @2Lap | 55 | Christian NORVOLD | JAM / NCC | 5 | |
| @2Lap | 41 | Addison MINOTT | Daedalus & Allstonvelo | 5 | |
| @3Lap | 29 | Ben POWERS | Riverside Racing | 4 | |
| @3Lap | 25 | Clyde LOGUE | Colonial Bicycle Co | 4 | |
| @3Lap | 22 | Matthew OKEEFE | RIVERSIDE RACING | 4 | |
| @3Lap | 54 | Erik SAUNDERS | Mad Alchemy | Zanconato | 4 | |
| @3Lap | 53 | Alistair SPONSEL | Red Kite Bicycle Studio | 4 | |
| @3Lap | 56 | Shawn MOTTRAM | Sherpa | 4 | |
| @3Lap | 58 | Gregory COLBY | B2C2 p/b JRA Cycles | 4 | |
| DNF | 39 | Scott YAROSH | Cyclonauts Racers | 2 | |
| DNF | 51 | Colin REUTER | B2C2 p/b JRA Cycles | 1 | |
| DNF | 50 | Scott MYERS | 3 | ||
| DQ | 47 | James NORRIS | Cowbell Racing p/b World Bicycl | 7 | |
| DNS | 28 | Joseph SCHMALZ | TradeWind Energy Cycling Team | 0 | |
| DNS | 33 | Garrick VALVERDE | TradeWind Energy Cycling Team | 0 | |
| DNS | 57 | Camden BLACK INGERSOLL | Downeast Racing | 0 |
