At the second stop of China’s 2017 Qiansen Trophy cyclocross races, racers took to the five-year-old course to hunt down coveted UCI C1 points and conquer the bumpy, wooded trails.
Just a minute after the start, a lead group of five formed with Joyce Vanderbeken, Serena Gordon and Emily Kachorek, the top three from Race #1, joined by Dutch racer Geerte Hoeke and Kachorek’s teammate Samantha Runnels.
Entering the fourth of six laps, it was down to four, with Runnels gapped. Behind, Kathryn Cummings was starting her second straight chase from behind after missing the break.
With two laps to go, Vanderbeken tested out her attack strategy, taking an inside line at the top of the first set of double stairs to pass Kachorek for the lead. It worked, but soon Gordon was back at the front for the penultimate lap.
With one to go, Vanderbeken repeated her move, passing Gordon, attacking after the second set of stairs, and taking the lead for good. It was off to the races, and Vanderbeken gradually put distance to Gordon and then Kachorek.
Joyce Vanderbeken makes it 2 for 2 t Yanqing Station. Qiansen Trophy Cyclocross Race #2.
Stay tuned for full results and a full report.
2017 Qiansen Trophy – Yanqing Station Race #2 Cyclocross Brief Results:
- Joyce Vanderbeken (BEL)
- Serena Gordon (USA)
- Emily Kachorek (USA)
