Maximenko Tallies Her Second UCI Win, Townsend Gets His First at Cycle-Smart International, Day Two – Full Results, Report

The elite races included a few technical sections that proved many to run. © Andrew Reimann

by Cindy Brennan

Racers faced high winds and cold temperatures on day two of the 24th Cycle-Smart International in Northampton, MA, Rounds 3 and 4 of the Verge New England Cyclocross Series presented by Stan’s NoTubes and Cycle-Smart. Series competitions in fourteen categories featured exciting shakeups as leaders fought to keep their jerseys.

New kings and queens of New England cyclocross were crowned in the Elite competitions, where some of the best cyclocross racers in America tackled brand new extra challenging pro-only sections. These course elements caused decisive bottlenecks in the Elite races within the first third of a lap of racing.

Adam Craig tackles the end of the most technical section at Look Park. © Andrew Reimann

Support from New England’s favorite cycling brands, Verge Sport, Stan’s NoTubes, Specialized, and Janeware Micro’s c2 line, helped make the historic 24th Cycle-Smart International a tremendous weekend filled with some of the best cyclocross racing in the country. The JAM Fund, a Western-Massachusetts-based organization dedicated to preparing developing regional talent for racing on the national and world stage, pulled out all the stops this weekend.

JAM Fund teammates Stephen Hyde and Anthony Clark spent endless hours setting up the course they’d be racing on this weekend. Another JAM Fund rider, Ellen Noble, baked giant podium cookies for each Elite winner – and then won one of her own treats. Alec Donahue, the “A” in JAM, served as Race Director, maintained his lead in the Verge NECXS 35+ category by sweeping his races this weekend between shifts in course repair and running start lists to race officials.

Jeremy and Gabby Durrin give a good luck kiss at the start, which was good enough for second for both of them on day two. © Andrew Reimann

Maximenko Pulls Away Early For a Win

The Elite Women hit the course at top speed, with Gabby Durrin (Team Neon Velo) and Ellen Noble (JAM Fund/NCC) in their Elite and Elite U23 leader’s jerseys passing through the pro section first. Mo Bruno Roy (Bob’s Red Mill p/b Seven Cycles) used her technical abilities and confidence from her recent crowning as Singlespeed Cyclocross World Champion to drive cleanly through the section and jump on Noble’s wheel.

Gabby Durrin and Mo Bruno Roy took turns fighting the wind, which peaked on the day during the women’s elite race. © Andrew Reimann

Cassie Maximenko (Rare Vos Racing/Van Dessel/Power Bar) came from behind, helping Bruno Roy bridge to Durrin as Elizabeth White (UVM) caught and passed Noble. Maximenko was soon on the attack, leaving Durrin and Bruno Roy behind. Maximenko won the race with plenty of real estate behind her.

Natasha Elliott had a rough mechanical far from the pits, taking her out of contention. © Andrew Reimann

Durrin jumped clear of Bruno Roy within the final lap to claim second. Bruno Roy secured the third podium spot, despite the course and conditions typically unfavorable to the mud-loving racer. The U23 competition came through next: White finished fourth, Ellen Noble fifth.

Cassie Maximenko celebrates after a well-earned win, recovering well after a training ride mishap earlier in the week caused her to miss out on some of her training routines. © Meg McMahon

Durrin’s and Noble’s finishes were strong enough for them to retain their Women’s Elite and Women’s Elite U23 leader’s jerseys in the Verge New England Cyclocross Series.

After the race, Maximenko told Cyclocross Magazine that her and her husband had spent over 15 minutes analyzing all of the different lines she could take at the most technical section of the park. Most of Look Park played to her strengths as a phenomenal triathlete, and the analysis payed off well as she was able to handle the several looming descents near the back of the course.

Townsend and Durrin Work Together for First and Second at Their Home Race

At the men’s start grid, some riders kept their eyes forward, while others battled the glaring sunlight to see the official preparing to blow her whistle. © Andrew Reimann

Stephen Hyde (Jam Fund/NCC) and Dan Timmerman (House Industries/SimpleHuman/Richard Sachs) took advantage of a smooth ride through the pro section in the first lap to slip away from the field. Jeremy Durrin (Team Neon Velo) and Jerome Townsend (Joe’s Garage CX p/b BikeReg.com) chased, but Hyde and Timmerman had over twenty seconds on them by mid-race.

Timmerman rode great in the series leader’s jersey, battling Hyde at the front for most of the race. © Andrew Reimann

The two chasers worked hard to diminish the gap, however and with one to go, the leaders had only twelve seconds on the chase, then five seconds, and then they were caught. The group of four came through the barriers all together, when Durrin attacked. Townsend alone remained able to match the move.

Townsend played all of his cards right, working with Durrin for much of the race and attacking at the right moment late on the last lap for the win. © Andrew Reimann

Timmerman and Hyde fell off pace as Townsend came around Durrin right before the final pavement stretch. Townsend won the race, his first UCI cyclocross victory, with Durrin in second, Timmerman in third, and Hyde in fourth. Timmerman managed to hold onto his lead in the Verge New England Cyclocross Series. Hugo Robinson (Team Neon Velo) rounded out his team’s amazing weekend by claiming the U23 race win, with it overtaking the lead in the Series U23 Elite Men’s competition.

The Verge New England Cyclocross Series heads next to Baystate CX in Sterling, MA on November 29 and 30. For updates, follow @VergeNECXS and @BaystateCX. NBX in Warwick, RI hosts the finale of this exciting series December 6 and 7.

2014 Women's Elite Race CSI Day Two

2014 Men's Elite Race CSI Day Two