File photo: The Elite Men’s chasing group at the 2014 edition of the Supercross Cup, including Adam Myerson and Kerry Werner, fights to press forward to the early leaders: White, Dodge and Timmerman. © Andrew Reimann
By Marc Bertucco
STONY POINT, NY—USA Cycling Professional Cyclo-cross calendar (ProCX) racing returns to the lower Hudson Valley in Harriman State Park on November 21st and 22nd. While much has been said about the value and long-term viability of the beleaguered series, the fact remains that there is currently $40,000 in play and two top crossers will earn a $5000 bonus at the end of the season.
Now in it’s third year at the Anthony Wayne recreation area, the Supercross Cup has earned a reputation as one of the best race weekends in the region amongst competitors and fellow race directors alike. Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart) said about last year’s race, “This is one of the best, crossiest courses we have…”
Not content for the Supercross Cup to simply be “one of the best,” race director Myles Romanow has taken the well-regarded classic course of years past and added additional challenges in the form of a third run-up, two sweeping rises, narrow off-camber transition zones and a steep drop-off that some might describe as the perfect “pro only” section. Romanow explains, “It’s important to me to keep things new and interesting for all of our racers and spectators, especially those who are driving hours to spend the weekend with us.”
Seven Elite Women and four Elite Men currently sitting in the top 20 of their respective ProCX series will join motivated fields of other elite racers battling roots, run-ups and roadie straightaways for UCI points, cash and pride (not necessarily in that order).
The Favorites: Elite Women
File photo: Crystal Anthony is all smiles after a second place finish at Kings CX.
Crystal Anthony (Boulder Cycle Sport/YogaGlo), with an impressive string of exceptional results including 12th place at the Valkenberg stop of the World Cup series, and second only to National Champ Katie Compton at Kings CX, the Massachusetts native is the prohibitive favorite for the win in her Supercross Cup debut.
Arley Kemmerer (Level Eleven Racing) fresh off a win at Kutztown cross, is raring to go and plans to be among the favorites this weekend. The cyclocrosser and attorney will want to lay down the law when the gun goes off and aims to improve on her impressive fourth place at Charm City.
Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D. Foundation) has spent her season traveling to the biggest cyclocross races in the country. And since early October, the rider from New Hampshire has been regular member of “The top-10 club” indicating that she’s coming into the kind of form that might see her take her first ever UCI win.
Kathleen Lysakowski (Joe’s Garage) and Cassandra Maximenko (Van Dessel) are no strangers to big-time UCI podiums. The two recently traded 3rd and 5th place positions over two days of racing at The Cycle-Smart International. Lysakowski has the edge on handling, Maximenko wins the power race, Supercross’ new challenging course has plenty of both.
The Favorites: Elite Men
File photo: Cameron Dodge in the seven-person chase at the Cycle-Smart Northampton International. Photo by Todd Prekaski
Cameron Dodge (unattached) fifth in the ProCX standing, the enigmatic mountain bike pro lines up this weekend the owner of six wins and 14 podium appearances so far this season. At times he seems unstoppable, and on technical course with plenty of elevation change, it’s hard to bet against him. That said, he faces a hungry group of riders who have, collectively, beaten him 10 times.
Kerry Werner Jr. (Raleigh-Clement) returns to Supercross looking to defend his day-two win from last year. Werner is a perennial visitor to the top 10 of the country’s biggest races and with the very biggest guns competing elsewhere this weekend, taking a win and jumping up from seventh in the ProCX series standings is a very real possibility.
Travis Livermon (Mock Orange), Dan Timmerman (Stan’s No Tubes) and Todd Wells (Specialized) are three riders that all have legitimate shots at capturing a podium place this weekend. Timmerman, sixth in ProCX standings, has 12 top-10 finishes this season and is arguably the best placed of this trio to claim a win this weekend. And yet how to bet against Todd Wells, a three-time national CX, and 13-time national MTB champion on a course that is among the most technical riders will face all year? Finally, Livermon is no stranger to UCI podiums either and enters the race as the 14th best rider in the ProCx standings.
