Nash, CyclocrossWorld-Cannondale Dominate in Providence, Johnson and Driscoll Go 1-2

Tim Johnson, the master technician, shows how to ride the hill run-up. © Paul Weiss

Johnson and Driscoll Go 1-2 in Providence

While teammate Jeremy Powers was on his way to a second win at the UCI3 Cyclocross Festival in Ohio, Tim Johnson and Jamey Driscoll (CyclocrossWorld – Cannondale) were not to be outdone, and took a commanding 1-2 finish on Day 1 of the Providence Festival of Cyclocross.

While 19-year-old Swiss racer Valentin Scherz (Pro Cycles-Scott-Newwork) took the holeshot, Johnson didn’t let the surprising, unknown ride lead for long. With Driscoll far back, Johnson shot off the front, riding the muddy run-up and adding seconds to his lead with each turn.

Behind, Scherz and Chris Jones (Champion Systems) gave chase in vain, and first Scherz then Jones would drop back while Driscoll made his way through traffic after a slow start to move into second.

With Johnson lead secure, Driscoll put his head down to secure his second position, leaving Jones to chase with 2008 U23 National Champ Nick Weighall (California Giant) and current U23 Jerome Townsend (Bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage).

Jones would be the strongest, dropping the younger riders and closing back on Driscoll but the places were set. CyclocrossWorld – Cannondale secured an impressive best-possible 1-2-1 outcome at the two competing festivals.

Townsend beat out Weighall for fourth, while Scherz held on for an impressive sixth. Behind the Swiss youngster was Justin Spinelli, a former Richard Sachs racer who returned to ‘cross under his own brand, Svelte Cycles. Just behind Spinelli were two current Richard Sachs – RGM – Radix riders, Dan Timmerman and Josh Dillan.

Mountain Bikers Rule Women’s Race

Katerina Nash rails a turn at high speed. © Paul Weiss

In the women’s race, Katerina Nash (Luna) put her several weeks of hard training to use as she took an early lead with Amy Dombroski (Richard Sachs – RGM – Radix)  and then dropped her within the first lap.  Behind, like Driscoll, Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-NoTubes.com) had a slow start, but moved through traffic to give chase to Nash.

It looked like McConneloug might be able to close the gap, and pushed hard to bring back the Luna rider, but the gap would remain around 10 seconds through much of the race.

Dombroski and Meredith Miller (Cal Giant) teamed up to bring back the front two, but the Providence course at Roger Williams Park was not conducive to pack racing. Alone and free to choose their own lines, the two summer mountain bikers of Nash and McConneloug rode their own pace and stretched out their gap nearly 10 seconds per lap.

McConneloug hadn’t raced since CrossVegas, and appeared fresh and motivated. She put in one last dig on the last lap and took a few seconds back, but it was too late. Fourteen seconds ahead, Nash was readying for her victory salute and planning her trip to the European Championships.

Dombroski used her road racing skills and fast sprint to out-kick Miller on the pavement and secure third, her best result this season. Giant’s Kelli Emmett followed for fifth.

Full results below.

Want to know more about how the top two racers and how the race went? Relive our live chat with the top two men along with Jeremy Powers.

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