The course of climbs and technical descents would test riders on Station Two unlike the challenges they saw in Station One.
Erlandsson stands on the top step of the podium at 2015 Qiansen Trophy C1 UCI Race, Station Two. © Andrew Reimann / Cyclocross Magazine
Margriet Kloppenburg (inthemud.cx) showed the power and control in her legs early, taking the holeshot along the opening stretch of pavement with Laura Perry (French Cyclocross Team) in tow. Straight after the first major climb, Sunday’s winner, Katrina Jaunslaviete was caught in a major pileup of five riders, but was the only one to discover that her bike was unridable as her rear wheel had warped in her rear chainstays.
Almost immediately, a group of five riders emerged out of the front, with Emily Kachorek (Squid) dictating a blazingly fast speed despite the heat. Asa Erlandsson (Sweden) followed right behind, with Kathryn Cumming (Cyclocross Magazine Racing), Lelde Ardava (Latvia) and Kloppenburg following the pace.
With several laps to go, Kachorek and Erlandsson were able to gain nearly twenty seconds on the chasers, while Kloppenburg dropped to a lone fifth in order to contend with the heat of the day.
In the final lap, Erlandsson followed along the second of the wooden bridges, and when Kachorek stumbled on the staircase, Erlandsson took full advantage and pressed an attack that would stick for the win.
Ardava was able to also part herself from Cumming in order to take the final step of the podium.
Simunek drank nearly every lap while Bosmans focused ahead. © Andrew Reimann / Cyclocross Magazine
The Men’s Race began with an immediate change in weather as the clouds began to pour a heavy rain of the course that first made the turns slightly tacky, and then coated them with a layer of grease.
Radomir Simunek (Corendon-Kwardo) told Cyclocross Magazine in an interview that his legs were feeling much better, and that he was no longer jet-lagged. He proved it by keeping on Weitse Bosmans’s (BKCP-Powerplus) wheel, never letting him go for a lone attack. The two quickly left the field behind as they faced the slippery corners and wooden bridges of the course.
Thijs Al (AGU-Habitat) showed impressive form in the technical mud as well, and led a small group in the first half of the race alongside Steve Chainel (French Cyclo-Cross Team).
Al would go on to break away from the small group, only to suffer a hand injury in a crash, giving Chainel a chance to pass him. The two neared each other for the bulk of the race, but Chainel was able to capture the third place finish in the end.
Meanwhile, Bosmans and Simunek were battling neck-and-neck for first place, with Simunek taking feeds every lap by the start and Bosmans remaining in front. Bosmans opted to take his pit bike the final time around the pits, and was able to create a gap soon after on a slight bobble by Simunek.
Only minutes after the race, Bosmans collapsed among a crowd of fans, and needed to be given medical attention, preventing him from standing of the top step of the podium to receive his award. After getting hydrated and looked after, Bosmans was back on his feet later on in the day, although he looked slightly disoriented and in need of recovery after pushing himself for so long.
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Chainel had a hard-fought podium finish. © Andrew Reimann / Cyclocross Magazine
