Anthony sweeps Downeast Cyclocross Weekend, Adam Craig Makes a Surprise Appearance and Takes the Win

Despite a difficult start to her race, Anthony rode away for her fourth Verge Series win. © Todd Prekaski

NEW GLOUCESTER, MAINE – The sun shone on the second day of the Downeast Cyclocross Weekend, changing the nature of the course for the Elite racers during the fourth Verge New England Cyclocross Series race of 2012. While the racers earlier in the day faced slick mud at every turn, the course had dried significantly by the afternoon. Spectators enjoyed the sunshine, basking in its glow at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine as they enjoyed beverages in the beer garden and treats from the food vendors on site.

None other than Crystal Anthony took the win, emerging victorious despite an early crash causing a rough start in the first section of the first lap. Anthony moved back toward the front of the race as the field negotiated the twists and turns of the course. By the time the racers emerged from the woods section, Anthony had built a thirty second lead on the chase group of Frances Morrison (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria), Ellen Noble (Trek Cyclocross Collective), Britlee Bowman (Pedal Power Training), and Anna Barensfeld (Pedal Power Training). Maghalie Rochette (Powerwatts – FT Time) caught on to and surpassed this group just as it was disintegrating. Rochette and Noble rode away from Morrison and Bowman, Rochette’s gap increasing over Noble, who was also out of sight of the chase. Anthony crossed the line to win the day and take an insurmountable lead in the series leader competition. Rochette completed the day in second, and Ellen Noble made it onto the steps of her first UCI podium in third place.

A wild card in today’s Elite Men’s race stole the show, as Maine’s own Adam Craig (Giant-Rabobank), professional mountain bike racer, swept through the field from a back row start to a thirty-second lead on his nearest competitors. Initially, a lead group including Jeremy Durrin (JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria), Justin Lindine (Redline), Dylan McNicholas (Cyclocrossworld.com), Raphael Gagne (Rocky Mountain Factory), and Jeremy Martin (Rocky Mountain Factory) broke from the front of the field, but Craig went right through them. Durrin and Lindine chased hard for the remainder of the race, staying together right up until the last go through the challenging woods section, when Durrin launched an attack that Lindine couldn’t match. Craig wheelied through the finish line, showing off those mountain biking skills, as Durrin narrowly took second over Lindine.

The champions in all categories will be clear in a few weeks’ time, at the close of the Verge New England Cyclocross Series. Rounds 5 and 6 will be held November 24 and 25 at Bay State Cyclocross in Sterling, Massachusetts on a classic New England cyclocross course developed by Tom Stevens. There, series leaders will arrive to battle for the final series points and final placings.

Missed Day 1? Read about it here.

Elite Women’s Results: