Powers Triumphs, Compton Triples Up at Fort Collins USGP Day 1

Trebon comes off the flyover solo at the front. © Yoon Son

FORT COLLINS – The USGP in Fort Collins started out chilly and drizzly, but the fields were still strong and ready to race. As one of the crowd favorites, Mo Bruno Roy of Bob’s Red Mill, said, course conditions were “fast, dusty, loose, bit ‘o’ gnar. And now … raindrops, or as I now prefer to call them, magical CX unicorn tears.” Some key racers pre-regged weren’t in attendance, including Katerina Nash, Gabby Day and Zach McDonald, presumably so that they would be fresh for the Czech World Cup next weekend.

Compton Conquers Elite Women
Nicole Duke of Raleigh-Clement didn’t disappoint her hometown fans, and in the 50+ strong women’s field, took the holeshot. However, within one lap, Katie Compton (Trek) had — as per her typical style — established a gap on the field, except for Georgia Gould (Luna), who hung onto her wheel. A full 20 seconds back was Gould’s teammate Teal Stetson Lee.

With three to go, Compton had extended her lead over Gould, and Julie Krasniak (Rapha-Focus) had taken over third from Stetson-Lee with newcomer Canadian racer Pepper Harlton (Juventus Cycling Club) sitting in fifth.

It was no surprise that Compton took the solo win, followed by Gould in second. Stetson-Lee reclaimed her third place spot, followed by Harlton, Krasniak and, in her first cyclocross race ever, Carmen Small (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) in sixth.

Powers Again Takes the Elite Men

The day cleared up in time for the men’s race. © Dave Sheek

By the men’s race, the rain had eased up but the course remained slick and muddy. Tim Johnson (Cannondale/CyclocrossWorld) surprised the crowd by snagging the holeshot, his first of the season. Within the first lap, reigning USGP leader Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) had taken the lead, premiering his new disc-brake equipped bike, followed by Johnson and Ben Berden (Raleigh Clement).

With a seven minute first lap, Powers still had the lead. Trebon and Powers duked it out for top spot as the laps counted down, trading off and on. For a while, Trebon led off of the front with a group of nine chasers, even increasing his lead to 24 seconds. Powers jumped out of the chase group and fought to catch Trebon as the race hit mid-way.

Powers lessened the gap to Trebon, as he increased his gap on Johnson, Berden and U23 roadie Danny Summerhill. With four to go, Powers was closing on Trebon, and Berden and Summerhill took over the fight for third. Behind them, Tristan Schouten dueled Johnson for fifth.

With less than two to go, Powers made the catch and closed the gap to Trebon. Summerhill and Berden remained together, with Geoff Kabush (Scott) chasing.

However, Powers winning streak couldn’t be denied, and Powers took the win, followed by Trebon. Behind them, Berden won the sprint for third, leaving Summerhill in fourth and Kabush scooped up fifth while Johnson fell back to eighth. Powers told the USGP organizers that the win was tough, and he “Got pushed pretty hard today.”

Elite Women’s Results:

Elite Men’s Results:

Photo Gallery from Yoon Son:

Photo Gallery from Laura Jackson: