OVCX #1 Draws UCI Level Talent to Opener at Huber’s Apple Cross

OVCX #1 Draws UCI Level Talent to Opener at Huber’s Apple Cross

LOUISVILLE –  Reminiscent of a sector at Paris Roubaix, visibility was down to three bike lengths during the start of most races at Huber’s Apple Cross, the Zipp OVCX series opener held on a working apple farm, vineyard and restaurant just outside of Louisville.  Nearly 500 racers participated across all categories.  When the dust settled on the farm roads in the women’s elite race, Wisconsin’s Ashley James (KCCX/Fuji) wowed the crowd by holding off Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld).  With Collegiate track nationals on Thursday and USGP Saturday and Sunday, the next week will be busy for the U23 National Champion.  Throughout the race, third place Marne Smiley (Bob’s Red Mill) impressively continued to close the gap to Antonneau, leaving only a seven second gap at the finish.  After the race Smiley said, “Catching Katie was motivation, but so was staving off Erin Silliman (Corsa Concepts) who was consistently only a few meters behind.”  Along with the cash prize, podium finishers were treated to a half peck of Huber’s farm fresh apples and a bag of Bob’s Red Mill Honey Oat Granola.

For the mid-afternoon Elite Men’s race the farm was in full fall harvest mode.  Spectators cheered the races from moving hayrides, hay bales book-ended the barriers and apples lined some corners of the course.  According to Joshua Johnson (Bissell-ABG-Nuvo), “From the gun, Bob’s Red Mill showed their strength taking the holeshot and creating a train at the front.”  As the race sliced through the hairpins of the orchard, Johnson was the first to attack the Bob’s Red Mill train, initially shedding BRM’s Greg Wittwer.  Now down to Johnson and BRM’s Dillman and Reardon, Johnson said “the game of tactics, attack-chase-attack” began to play out eventually slowing the pace at the front enough for Wittwer to rejoin.  Wittwer attacked with Dillman on his wheel, creating a gap on Johnson.  At the line, Dillman hopped his way to victory with Wittwer and Johnson seconds behind.

After a one week break to allow riders to travel to the USGP in Madison, the next stop for OVCX is St. Mary’s Child Care Center Cyclocross in Indianapolis on September 30^th.  Complete Elite Race results below, all categories at USA Cycling.

A dusty start for the racers.

Elite Men’s Results:

Elite Women’s Results: