Katerina Nash (Luna) and Ryan Trebon (Kona) took decisive victories in Louisville on Day 1 of the USGP.
Nash, her teammate Georgia Gould, and Rachel Lloyd (Cal Giant) took control of the race early, forming the lead group and leaving Lloyd to battle battle the two Luna riders. Gould attacked the group, and Nash bridged later, and the Luna teammates looked set to take an impressive 1-2. But Georgia Gould, while seemingly in control of the race, crashed in a corner just before the pits and was forced to take a bike change. She chased back on and briefly held second ahead of Lloyd, while Nash kept powering at the front to take the win. Fans may recall a similar unfortunately crash at the barriers at Cross Vegas that cost Gould the chance at victory.
Sue Butler (MonavieCannondale.com) had an early lead up the “Green Monster” but finished fourth, perhaps feeling the effects of her travel to last week’s World Cup in Kalmthout, Belgium. ‘Cross rookie Laura Van Gilder (C3-Sollay.com) continued her impressive season, finishing in fifth.
In the men’s race, Ryan Trebon (Kona) and his teammate Barry Wicks were clearly out to avoid late race battles with the Cannondale / CyclocrossWorld trio of Tim Johnson, Jeremy Powers, and Jamie Driscoll. Shortly after the start, Trebon moved to the front, with Wicks sitting in third, and immediately strung out the field, accelerating viciously out corners and putting the Cannondale riders on the defensive. With a decisive attack, Trebon then gapped the field, gaining an early 12 second lead. Jesse Anthony (Jamis) took control of the chase, and rejoined Trebon, and the two battled for most of the race until Trebon put in huge effort with one lap to go that Anthony could not match. Soon it was the Trebon of old, increasing his lead with every turn, and soloing for the win. Behind, Anthony rolled in for second, an impressive result in his second major weekend of racing after breaking his wrist during the summer road season.
While the lead two were off the front, Jeremy Powers battled Troy Wells (Clif Bar) in their chase for third. Older brother Todd Wells (GT) dropped Tim Johnson to join the duo late in the race, but the brothers could not take advantage of their close ties and brotherly tactics and Powers took third, with Troy Wells finishing fourth, and Todd Wells in fifth. Tim Johnson appeared to have an off day and finished in sixth.
In the U23 race Adam McGrath (Van Dessel) got to the front and was never bested by the competition. He was followed home by Nick Keough (Sakonnet Technology) and a charging Brady Kappius (Clif Bar).
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