Powers and Compton Double Up at Fort Collins USGP

Ben Berden put in a hard effort in the first part of the race but fell back towards the end. © Yoon Son

FORT COLLINS, COLORADO – The elite women saw sunnier skies today in Fort Collins, as well as mild temperatures — a far cry from the chilly, wet conditions of the day before. Andrea Smith (Ladies First) took the holeshot in the start, and it seemed like the ladies from New England were taking control of the race early on when Massachusetts native Mo Bruno Roy (Bob’s Red Mill) hit the run up in fourth spot.

However, it was Georgia Gould (Luna) who set the pace for the first lap, with even Compton staying behind the Bronze medalist. Minutes after establishing a lead group, it had been whittled down to a group of four: Gould, Julie Krasniak (Rapha-Focus), Compton and local favorite Nicole Duke (Raleigh-Clement). It wasn’t long before Compton attacked and opened up a gap that she would hold for the rest of the race.

With three to go, Compton was again on her own, followed by Krasniak and Gould. Behind them, Kaitie Antonneau (Cannondale-CyclocrossWorld) worked with Nicole Duke to catch back on.  However, the top two remained the same as yesterday, and Compton took the win followed in by a solo-ing Gould. Krasniak rolled in for third and Antonneau took fourth spot.

In the men’s race, U23 racer Danny Summerhill showed his racing chops by snagging an early lead, followed by Belgian Raleigh-Clement racer Ben Berden. In the first speedy nearly sub-six-minute late, Summerhill held the lead with Berden and Tim Johnson (Cannondale-CyclocrossWorld) behind. But within the first two laps, Johnson’s teammate Ryan Trebon had caught on, as well as Canadian Geoff Kabush (Scott) and Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus). Behind them Yanick Eckmann was chasing hard.

12 seconds behind, Powers’ teammate Chris Jones chased hard, along with Tristan Schouten, Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale-CyclocrossWorld), and McNeely.

Trebon attacked, creating a lead group with Berden, Summerhill and Powers. Powers impressed the crowd by riding the stairs, while behind him, Kabush and Eckmann powered away, with Tim Johnson dropping back.

However, Johnson wouldn’t let go that soon and with four to go, Eckmann and he had caught the leaders. With three to go, Powers was showing off his fighting prowess and had opened a gap, followed by Berden and behind him, Summerhill, who couldn’t keep the pace and dropped all the way back to 10th in the course of the lap. Kabush and Jones, however, had clawed their way up and were chasing Powers.

Berden began to fall back, and Kabush and Jones moved up, closing on Powers. With one to go, Powers still had the lead, with Kabush and Jones dueling behind him, and a gap to Trebon, Berden and Eckmann. Jones attacked Kabush mid-lap, and while Powers soloed in for his third USGP win of the season, Jones came in for second and Kabush took third. Summerhill again took fourth spot.

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Gallery from Yoon Son:

Elite Women’s Results:

Elite Men’s Results: