Keough, Ortenblad Win at Charm City Cross Day 1, Lead US Cup-CX Series – Report, Results

BALTIMORE, Maryland—Winning ways continued for the leaders of USA Cycling’s Professional Cyclocross Calendar (ProCX) at the opening events for Charm City Cross in Baltimore. Tobin Ortenblad (Santa Cruz / Donkey Label Racing) followed his double wins at last weekend’s KMC Cross Fest with the Category 1 victory in the Elite Men’s race at Druid Hill Park on Saturday. Kaitlin Keough (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) would add to her collection of podium finishes for the Elite Women, outdistancing herself from teammate Emma White (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com).

Overcoming unusually hot and humid conditions, Ortenblad maintained his overall lead for the second of four stops on the Sho-Air US Cup-CX series, while Keough claimed enough points to break the three-way tie in the women’s points standings.

Keough Attacks to Win Teammate Battle

In the Women’s Elite C1 race, it would be White who would lead the early laps, followed close behind by Keough.

Maghalie Rochette led the way early on. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

The pair would work together to distance themselves from Ellen Noble (Aspire Racing), who struggled with the Baltimore heat for third place.

Emma White pushes her bike through the deep sand pit. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

Keough would attack with two laps remaining, and solo her way to the win. It was Keough’s fourth ProCX win of the season. She now leads the Sho-Air US Cup-CX series, picking up valuable ProCX and UCI points as well.

Kaitie Keough celebrates her win. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

“It started really fast today. The course was really hard. I just hung in there in the group for the first couple of laps. With three to go, I kind of got a bit of a gap and just kept pushing. This is like the fifth weekend of having a really hot (racing) and it’s starting to take a toll. Hopefully, we’ll get some cool weather soon,” said Keough at the post-race press conference.

Women’s podium: Keough, White, Noble. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

Ortenblad Surges Late to Grab Win

Similar to last weekend at KMC Cross Fest in Connecticut, the Men’s Elite C1 race would see highly-tactical, large-group racing. It would eventually splinter down to a group containing Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing), Kerry Werner (Kona Factory CX Team), Ortenblad and reigning U.S. National Champion Stephen Hyde (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com).

Ortenblad and Powers chat before the race. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

“The men’s race started pretty fast. I led for probably the first two laps, I get excited and want to ride the front. I’m trying to work on patience,” Ortenblad said about the nine-lap battle. “I’d say halfway through some guys started to make moves. I was definitely starting to hurt pretty bad and it was taking longer to shut (down) little gaps.”

The race featured several lead changes. Here, Kerry Werner is in front. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

Powers would control the front of the race for the final laps until the finishing straight. The final two obstacles, sand pit and barriers, would see Ortenblad make a move. A hard kick in the final meters would give him the edge. Powers would finish second and Hyde in third.

After the selection had been made Ortenblad, Hyde, Powers, and Werner would continue to battle for the lead. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

“Going into the last two laps, Jeremy Powers was just rolling super hard. He was on a good day today,” Ortenblad said about the race. “On the last lap, I was second wheel going up the hill, and somehow got shuffled to the back of the group and was in fourth, which is really not where I wanted to be. That was worst-case scenario.”

Tobin Ortenblad and others head up the Belgian-style flyover. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

Ortenblad continued, “But the thing with being in fourth, you can rely on the guys in front of you to start fighting for position. And when people fight for position, they always end up running corners wide. So I got by Hyde and Kerry, and was on Jeremy’s wheel going into the sand. I just stayed on him and outsprinted him again.”

Men’s podium: Ortenblad, Powers, Hyde. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

Day 2 on Sunday

The ProCX competitions continue Sunday at Druid Hill Park with Category 2 Elite Women’s and Elite Men’s races at 3:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. It is the 13th year for cyclocross racing in Baltimore, and eighth year Charm City Cross has been internationally sanctioned. Entry for spectators is free, and will enjoy a miniature food truck festival, beer garden provided by Union Craft Brewing, race announcers, music and kid’s races. Sponsors include Union Craft Brewing, Wagner Roofing, Hostetter Agency, Twenty20 Cycling Co. and Hub Labels.

The Men’s leaders run through the sand. 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1 © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

Sunday will also be the fourth race for the new Sho-Air US Cup-CX series. The Sho-Air Cycling Group partnered with seven races at four venues on the ProCX calendar to create an exciting series for riders and fans. A prize purse of $20,000 will be shared equally for the top woman and man at the final event in Louisville, Ky. on Nov. 4.

Kaitie Keough took the win at the 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1. © M. Colton / Cyclocross Magazine

For detailed information, visit the official Charm City Cross web site, charmcitycross.com or follow the race on Twitter and Instagram (@C3CX, #charmcitycx). Follow the Pro Cyclocross Calendar on Twitter at @USACProCX.

Women's Results - 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1

Men's Results - 2017 Charm City Cross Day 1