Both Saturday and Sunday at the USGP stop in Kentucky, the usual dominant Kona/YourKey.com pair of Trebon and Wicks failed to continue their streak of domestic wins. On Saturday, Jeremy Powers notched a big win, while on Sunday Tim Johnson took his turn on the top step of the podium. Katie Compton was dominant on both days, fighting off trio of Canadians and a determined Georgia Gould. In the Juniors, Luke Keough took double wins, as did Danny Summerhill in the espoir category (run within the men’s race).
Saturday’s Women’s Race: Katie Compton (Spike Shooter), currently ranked #1 in the world, rode true to her ranking and dominated the first stop of the USGP. Riding away from a trio of Canadians in Wendy Simms (Kona/YourKey.com), Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain Haywood), and Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com), Katie didn’t leave much to chance, or for her competitors, and finished with a 35 second gap. Georgia Gould (Luna) made her way from the back of the pack to eventually pass everyone but Compton, finishing a strong second after catching and attack the Canadians. Alison Sydor, told Cyclocross Magazine in Vegas that she’s much more suited to ‘cross than the long marathon mtb races she’s been doing, proved the point in winning the sprint for third. It’s the first time in a while we’ve seen Bessette off the podium.
Results:
- Compton
- Gould
- Sydor
- Simms
- Bessette
Sunday’s Men’s Race: In the first round of the Crank Brothers USGP in Kentucky, the Kona-YourKey.com boys of Wicks and Trebon were toppled by the Cyclocrossworld.com duo of Tim Johnson (also sponsored by Cannondale) and Jeremy Powers. This leading four, along with upcoming ‘cross star Chris Jones (Nerac Racing), made for an aggressive first day of racing. Multiple attacks and lead changes excited the fans, but it was quickly clear the Kona boys were not going to dominate the race as usual. Chris Jones eventually went backwards, while Adam Craig was plowing through the field with wheelies, skids and big airs in the process of moving from the back to the front. Barry Wicks first dropped off the leading four, with Trebon’s attacks all being covered. Seeing an opportunity, Powers attacked, with Johnson later following. Trebon was eventually caught and passed by his teammate Wicks for third. Did Trebon give up? He complained of his left leg not functioning. Fourth isn’t bad for a racing half-legged effort, but was it half hearted?
Results:
- Powers
- Johnson
- Wicks
- Trebon
- Craig
Photos by Mark Legg Images
Day 2:
Wins by Johnson and Compton Round Out an Exciting Weekend of ‘Cross in Louisville at the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers – Papa John’s Derby City Cup presented by Toyota
Louisville KY (October 28, 2007) – Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Leer/Cyclocrossworld.com) took the Elite Men’s race and Katie Compton (Spike Shooter) notched back to back wins in the Elite Women’s competition on the second day of the 2007 U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers — Papa John’s Derby City Cup presented by Toyota.
A sunny day in Louisville provided a great atmosphere for cyclocross and another huge crowd enjoyed another great day of racing at Champion’s Park.
Elite Men
In the Elite Men’s race, Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Leer/Cyclocrossworld.com) took home the win today outlasting defending USGP champ Ryan Trebon (Kona-YourKey.com). Johnson’s win, coupled with his second place finish yesterday, means he will wear the leader’s jersey heading into the second weekend of the USGP.
The race started off with some excitement. On the very first lap Barry Wicks (Kona-YourKey.com) crashed and yesterday’s winner Jeremy Powers (Cyclocrossworld.com) got tangled up with him delaying both of them enough to give Trebon and Johnson a gap.
From that point on it was a two man race with Johnson and Trebon battling it out for the rest of the contest. Towards the end of the race, the leaders went into one of the difficult sand trap sections of the course. Trebon bobbled momentarily and Johnson, sensing an opportunity, put the hammer down and got a gap. Johnson stayed ahead to take the win. Trebon rode well but couldn’t catch Johnson and finished a close second.
Powers recovered quickly from his first lap tangle to finish third. Wicks worked his way back to finish fourth. Adam Craig (Giant) rounded out the top five.
Elite Women
The women’s competition played out much like yesterday’s race. Katie Compton (Spike Shooter), the UCI points leader and three-time national champion, took off at the start and was never challenged taking back to back wins in Louisville.
A chase group of Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain Haywood), Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com), and Rachael Lloyd (Proman/Paradigm) formed and worked together for most of the race.
Georgia Gould (Luna), starting in the third row, again worked her way through the field caught the chase group before dropping them to finish second. Sydor took third, Wendy Simms (Kona-YourKey.com) finished fourth and Lloyd fifth.
U23
In the U23 race it was Danny Summerhill (Clif Bar Development Cyclocross Team) taking back to back wins in Kentucky and retaining the leader’s jersey. Summerhill outsprinted Chance Noble (California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized) finished second. Nick Weighall (Rad Racing NW) rounded out the podium. Bjorn Selander (Ridley) and Jamey Driscoll (FiordiFrutta) finished fourth and fifth rounding out the top five.
Juniors
Luke Keough (CLNoonan Coast to Coast KAM) joined Compton and Summerhill in notching two wins this weekend and taking the leader’s jersey. Keough bested teammates Steve Fisher, Ian Terry, and Eric Emsky (Rad Racing NW) who finished 2, 3, 4 respectively. Alex Coehlo (Hot Tubes) finished fifth.
Notes
* The USGP leaders’ jersey’s belong to Johnson (Elite Men), Compton (Women), Danny Summerhill (U23), Luke Keough (Juniors) and Will Black (Masters 35+).
* The SRAM Most Aggressive Riders were: Elite Men: Chris Sheppard (Santa Cruz/CMG Mortgage); Women: Kelli Emmitt (Giant)
* The USGP action continues in three weeks at the Mercer Cup presented by Knapp’s Cyclery in West Winsor, NJ on November 17-18.
The Papa John’s Derby City Cup races are part of the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers — the premier cyclocross series in the United States. The six race series attracts the best racers from across North America who compete for the series overall championship and an automatic USA Cycling world championship berth. For more information on the USGP, visit www.usgpcyclocross.com.
About the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers
The US Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers kicks off October 27 – 28 in Louisville, Kentucky with the Papa John’s Derby City Cup presented by Toyota. The second stop will be the USGP Mercer Cup presented by Knapp’s Cyclery in West Windsor, NJ on November 17-18. The series will then return to Portland, Oregon for the fourth consecutive year for the Toyota Portland Cup on December 1-2.
Papa John’s Derby City Cup presented by Toyota Race 2 Results
Sunday, October 28, 2007
TOP 5 – (Unofficial)
| ELITE MEN |
Contact:
Ed Donovan
US Gran Prix of Cyclocross presented by Crank Brothers
610-220-1441
[email protected]
